Mt Hinokiboramaru

Mt Hinokiboramaru (Japanese: 檜洞丸) is one of the most remote and quietly imposing peaks of western Tanzawa (西丹沢), a mountain that feels far removed from the busy approaches of the eastern range. This mountain stands deep within the interior of Kanagawa’s mountain country, surrounded by long ridges, steep valleys and forests that seem to stretch endlessly in every direction. Its topography is classic Tanzawa with steep slopes rising into a broad, wooded summit, with long ridgelines that roll towards Yamanashi and the Ashigara highlands. The company of visitors here is far fewer than to the eastern Tanzawa range.

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The hike begins from the Tanzawa Visitor Center near Kiyokawa, a quiet gateway to the western massif. From here, the trail climbs steadily through dense forest following old mountain paths. The ascent is long and sustained, gaining the ridge only after a significant climb. Once on the main spine, the atmosphere changes with the forest growing wilder, the path narrowing and the ridgeline beginning its slow, undulating rise toward Hinokiboramaru peak. I walked this route in early winter and was able to enjoy the cool temperatures and quiet atmosphere.

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The summit itself is a modest wooded clearing with filtered views, but the ridges leading to it offer glimpses of Mt Fuji (富士山), the deep interior of Tanzawa and the distant Hakone mountains. Hinokiboramaru’s significance lies in its remoteness as one of the least accessible major peaks in Tanzawa, a place where the forest feels untouched. In summer, the humid conditions bring the inevitable presence of yamabiru, the mountain leeches that thrive in Tanzawa’s warm, wet months.

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(All information here is based on personal observations and experiences. Check official sources before planning or starting any hikes.)