Mt Kasatori
MT FUJI, YAMANASHI & KANTO MOUNTAINS
Elevation
Difficulty
Time
1,953 m
Yamanashi and
Saitama prefectures
5-6 hours
Sakubadaira trailhead
Remote Yamanashi peak with impossibly steep final ascent
Mt Kasatori (Japanese: 笠取山) is a quiet Yamanashi hyakumeizan* peak in the remote north of the prefecture. Access is relatively difficult so the long forest walk is quiet and peaceful. The mountain stands slightly apart from other peaks and boasts the headwaters of the Tama River, which runs through Tokyo.
The views from the summit are excellent, especially of Mt Fuji (富士山) and South Alps to the south, and the mountains of Yamanashi and Saitama in other directions. The remoteness means that the summit plateau allows the panorama to unfold without obstruction. The mountain is famous for autumn foliage so it can be busy at that time of year.
The hiking from Sakubadaira is steady, peaceful and richly varied. This is where I started when I climbed here in winter. The trail begins in deep forest, climbing gradually before reaching the steep final ascent to the summit, which is sometimes known as heartbreak ridge because it looks so steep and forbidding. The mountain is possible as a day trip, although it's also possible to stay in the emergency hut or the campsite. The ascent is not technical, but it is a sustained climb through the forest.
* 100 famous mountains of Yamanashi
(All information here is based on personal observations and experiences. Check official sources before planning or starting any hikes.)