Blue skies and big views (Utsukushigahara)

Hike date: October 17-18, 2026

This weekend I decided to stay close to home and visit the nearby table mountain of Utsukushigahara, which is one of my favourite spots for viewing autumn scenery. Instead of driving to the top of the summit plateau like most hikers, I began at the Sanshiro trailhead at the foot of the mountain in Matsumoto city.

From the car park, the trail moves up gradually through a campsite and then a stunning forest area with a beautiful stream running through. The path then zigzags up the steep side of the table in the so-called Hyakumagari (100 turns) course.

The name Utsukushigahara means "beautiful fields" but I always doubted this name due to the unsightly TV and communication masts at the Ogato ("king's head") summit. It was only when I began climbing from Sanshiro that I realized just how beautiful this mountain was. After sweating and straining up the 100 turns I was on the plateau with expansive views in all directions. It's said that you can view a third of the hundred famous mountains of Japan from Utsushigahara, and I can quite believe it although I lost count partway through.

Using the Panorama course that skirts around the edge of the plateau with - unsurprisingly - panorama views I made it to the summit area and then the tip of the plateau at Ogahana ("king's nose"), a rocky outcrop that overlooks the Matsumoto valley.

Check here for more information about Utsukushigahara.

Mt Fuji peeking out in the distance

Beautiful forest scenery at the start of the hike

Looking up at the leaves

Looking down at the leaves

Looking towards the summit with all the communications masts

Another view of the summit

Blue mountains in the background

At Ogahana, the "king's nose"

Beautiful views in all directions

Not all the skies were blue

Start of the day

Early morning light

Mt Fuji through the leaves

Spoiled for good views