Mt Jumai

Mt Jumai (Japanese: 十枚山) is a quiet, demanding Yamanashi hyakumeizan* peak to the south of the South Alps. Its access is notoriously tricky with the approach roads from both Shizuoka and Yamanashi sides narrow, rough and prone to damage. The forest roads wind deep into the forested foothills before finally reaching the trailhead. 

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I went from the slightly easier Shizuoka side where the climb begins with a steep push through dense forest. The slopes rise sharply, the trail weaving between roots, rocks and patches of loose earth. It’s a sustained ascent, the kind that forces you into a steady rhythm as you gain altitude. The topography of the area is ctypical of the region with deep valleys and long ridges. As you climb, the forest gradually thins, and glimpses of the surrounding mountains begin to appear through the trees.

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After the deep forests, the summit of Mt Jumai is surprisingly open. It's a grassy, rounded peak with wide views across the southern South Alps. It’s a quiet summit, rarely crowded, and the effort required to reach it makes the panorama feel especially earned. Summer brings a challenge unique to this part of the range: leeches. The humid, shaded lower slopes are prime habitat for them, and hikers often encounter them after rain or during the height of the warm season. I climbed Jumai early in the season to avoid them, and the cooler conditions made the ascent far more pleasant.

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* 100 famous mountains of Yamanashi

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