Let's hike the Yoshida Trail! [From Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine to Uma-gaeshi] (Approx. 6 hours)

Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, one of the constituent assets of the Mount Fuji World Heritage Site, is a historic shrine representative of Fujiyoshida.
As you proceed along the path, surrounded by a forest of cedar trees with thick trunks and lined with stone lanterns, you'll begin to feel a solemn atmosphere before being greeted by the "Fujisan Grand Torii Gate." This torii gate is one of the largest wooden torii gates in Japan, and its majestic appearance will surely take your breath away. Furthermore, purifying your hands with the cold, melted snow water from Mount Fuji flowing from the dragon's mouth at the purification fountain before praying will further invigorate your spirits.
The worship hall is adorned with countless offerings that reflect the worship of Mount Fuji, while the main shrine is decorated with exquisite and intricate ornamentation, evoking a sense of history. To the left and right of the worship hall stand the sacred trees of "Fuji Taro Cedar" and "Married Couple Cypress," both estimated to be around 1000 years old, creating a grandeur and mystery of nature and history.
Every year on July 1st, the "Mountain Opening Ceremony" takes place, and on August 26th and 27th, the "Yoshida Fire Festival," one of Japan's three most unusual festivals, is held here, adding excitement to the short summer mountain season.
In 29, the main hall and other buildings were newly designated as Important Cultural Properties, bringing the total number of designated buildings to 11.

We start from Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, the starting point of the Yoshida Trail for climbing Mount Fuji. Beyond the torii gate at the entrance to the shrine's approach, along National Route 138, lies a majestic path.

Cedar and cypress trees over 300 years old, along with moss-covered stone lanterns, create an atmosphere of tranquility and solemnity. Along the way, you'll find the "Tachigyo-ishi" (standing stone), where Hasegawa Kakugyo, the founder of the Fuji-ko sect, is said to have performed a 30-day ascetic practice, standing naked on his tiptoes in the bitter cold of midwinter.

The Fujisan Great Torii Gate is 18 meters tall and is one of the largest wooden torii gates in Japan. It is scheduled to be rebuilt every 60 years. Beyond the torii gate, the Zuishinmon Gate leads to the central part of the shrine grounds.

Located behind the grounds of Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine is the "Mountain Gate," which marks the starting point of the Yoshida Trail. From here, you will finally begin your climb.

Located behind the grounds of Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine is the "Mountain Gate," which marks the starting point of the Yoshida Trail. From here, you will finally begin your climb.

After passing through the mountain gate, continue straight ahead, passing by the ancestral shrine.

You will come to an intersection with a paved road, so proceed straight in the direction indicated by the sign.

It is located about 150 meters from the grounds of Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine.

In 110 AD, during his eastern expedition, Yamato Takeru no Mikoto is said to have stopped by this place and left behind the words, "Mount Fuji, with its beautifully spreading foothills to the north, should be worshipped from this place." Asama Okami and Yamato Takeru no Mikoto were enshrined on Otsuka Hill, marking the founding of Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine. Later, after an eruption of Mount Fuji, Ki no Toyohiro, the local lord at the time, built a shrine north of Otsuka Hill in 788. This is the current location of the shrine, where Asama Okami was moved, and Yamato Takeru no Mikoto was enshrined on Otsuka Hill.

On top of Otsuka Hill, there is a torii gate and a small shrine. This area, formerly known as "Kusayama" (Grass Mountain), must have offered a magnificent view of Mount Fuji, as there were no obstructions.

Nowadays, the surrounding area is overgrown with trees, making it impossible to see Mount Fuji.

Across the road from Otsuka Hill, you'll see a sign for the "Yoshida-guchi Walking Trail." If you turn right at this sign, you'll find an unpaved walking trail that runs parallel to the Yoshida-guchi mountain trail, passing through Nakanochaya and continuing all the way to Uma-gaeshi.

Although it's not the Yoshida trail, there's no car traffic, so you can enjoy walking through nature.

From here, the paved road from Nakanochaya to Uma-gaeshi is the Yoshida-guchi mountain trail. After passing Otsuka Hill, you will soon come to an intersection with another road, so follow the arrows to ascend. Be careful as there are narrow sections of the path.

*For safety reasons, we recommend walking along the Yoshida-guchi walking trail.

Suwa no Mori Nature Park, with its lush green lawns and stunning views of Mount Fuji, is a great spot for picnics for families and couples. The spacious park allows visitors to relax with a packed lunch and picnic blanket, or play ball games. As its name suggests, Pines Park is home to a cluster of large Japanese red pine trees, some exceeding 30 meters in height. Visitors can sit in the shade of the pine trees to read a book, or take a nap while enjoying the pleasant breeze during a drive.
This is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the spectacular view of Mount Fuji right in front of you.

Along the hiking trail, you can see many stone monuments and other historical sites, giving you a sense of history.

This monument is inscribed with the words "Snow Mountain Climbing Memorial." It commemorates the Fuji-ko (people who climb Mount Fuji for religious purposes) who departed from Fujiyoshida in January 1918 and spent about a month climbing the snowy mountains.

This is the path leading to "Senzui," a place where water from Mount Fuji used to spring forth. It is an important location in the religious pilgrimages of the Fuji-ko (Fuji pilgrimage group).

This is the site of "Senzui," one of the eight springs of Mount Fuji. The water that springs from here is called "sacred water" and has been treated as something sacred.

The spring is also written as "Senzui," and according to legend, when Minamoto no Yoritomo visited Mount Fuji for a hunting expedition, he struck a rock with his whip, causing water to gush forth. It is said that this was a miraculous sign of Asama (a harbinger of good fortune), hence the name.

Apparently, the water used in the purification fountain at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine used to come from here.

Although the pond from which water once gushed forth has now been filled in, the Izumizui Shrine is carefully maintained by local residents.

If you take the straight paved road or the "Yoshida-guchi Walking Trail," you will arrive at Nakanochaya (1,100m). As shown in the image, the Yoshida-guchi climbing trail branches off to the right.

If you go to the left, you will reach the "Arayayama Shrine Inner Sanctuary".

We will be open from April 17th to the end of October in 2026.

We will be closed on September 7th due to the forecast of bad weather.

We will be suspending our udon noodle service for the time being.

Showers will be unavailable for the time being.

I apologize for the inconvenience.

~ Notice ~
[Those climbing from the foot of the mountain are requested to carry bear bells. *There have been reports of bear footprints and sightings.]
[We may be temporarily closed due to weather conditions.]
　
Nakanochaya, a tea house with over 300 years of history, gets its name from its location midway between the starting point of the Yoshida-guchi climbing route, the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, and Uma-gaeshi. In addition to light meals such as mitarashi dango and karinto manju, they also serve the local specialty "Yoshida udon" on weekends and holidays (and daily from July 19th to the end of August).
　In spring, the Fujizakura cherry blossoms, a national natural monument that grows only at the foot of Mt. Fuji and around Hakone, bloom profusely all over the area, creating a special landscape that can only be seen here. The "Fujizakura Festival" is held in the surrounding area every year from mid-April to late April. Showers (for a fee) are also available, making this tea house a reliable stop for those climbing Mt. Fuji or trail running.

As part of the Mt. Fuji Re-Style Project, a comprehensive partnership agreement between Fujiyoshida City and Salomon, the interior of the first floor and other areas have been renovated.
*This service is available to Salomon members who register for the S/PLUS membership.
https://salomon.jp/pages/s-plus

On the opposite side of the Nakanochaya building, several stone monuments have been erected.

Many of these are stone monuments erected to commemorate the 33 ascents of a leader (or guide) of the Fuji-ko, a group that climbs Mount Fuji for religious purposes.

Furthermore, this Nakanochaya was called "Yūkyō" or "Yūkyō" (both pronounced "yūkyō"), and was considered the boundary between this world and the next. Those who worshipped Mount Fuji believed that beyond this point was the sacred area of ​​Mount Fuji.

After passing Nakanochaya, the path narrows and becomes a mountain trail surrounded by trees for a while. The old mountain trail from the Edo period apparently extended to the left of this image.

Just past Nakanochaya, you'll find a stone monument that reads, "Natural Monument: Tsutsujihara Renge Azalea Colony."

This area is home to a mixed colony of Fuji cherry blossoms and Rhododendron molle, and is designated as a national natural monument. Japanese dormice and Japanese squirrels also inhabit the area.

In spring, this area becomes a lively place for strolls during the "Fujizakura Festival."

Located between Nakanochaya and Uma-gaeshi on the Yoshida trail to Mount Fuji, the Oishi-chaya (site of the former teahouse) now only has a monument to the Fuji-ko (Fuji pilgrimage group), but in the past, it was a hut that served as a resting place for climbers of Mount Fuji. The main attraction is the cluster of Rhododendron molle, a natural monument, growing opposite the teahouse. They are in full bloom around the end of May each year, with red and pink flowers in full bloom.
The name of this teahouse, Oishi Chaya, comes from the fact that there were many large stones scattered around the area, as shown in the picture. It is believed that these large stones rolled down when Mount Fuji collapsed in the 14th or 15th century. The "Kakugyo no Tachigyo-ishi" stone on the approach to Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine is thought to be the same type of stone.
Next to the site of the hut, there is a group of stone monuments modeled after a miniature Mount Fuji.
These Fujizuka are artificial mounds made of lava or other materials that resemble Mount Fuji. They were built in various locations in the Kanto region and other areas where believers lived who were unable to climb Mount Fuji directly.
On July 1st, the day when Mount Fuji officially opens to climbers, it is customary for members of the Fuji-ko pilgrimage group to climb a miniature Mount Fuji (Fujizuka).

Uma-gaeshi, located at an altitude of 1450m on Mount Fuji, is a popular stopover point for climbers as it serves as a base for the Yoshida Trail, a component of the World Heritage Site of Mount Fuji.
　Uma-gaeshi (馬返し) literally means "horse-turning point," and has been considered "the point on the mountain trail where the path becomes steep, and where one turns back from riding a horse to continue on foot." It was also believed that horses, being "four-legged," should not be allowed to climb the sacred Mount Fuji. On either side of the symbolic stone torii gate at Uma-gaeshi are statues of monkeys with their hands clasped in prayer. One legend of Mount Fuji tells of it emerging from the ground overnight, and since that year was the year of the Metal Monkey (Kanoe-saru), monkeys came to be recognized as messengers of Mount Fuji.