Country:
From Senzan Station (塩山駅), take a bus to Daibosatsutôge-tôzanguchi (大菩薩峠登山口) from platform 2. The bus takes you to the start of the hike in under 30 minutes. The bus drops you off at a crossroads with a small shop (photo) where you can have asecond breakfast (soba, udon, etc.).
(S) Then head straight on opposite the shop along the well-maintained tarmac road which climbs steadily, first straight ahead, then with a few hairpin bends. After about 1 km, you’ll find a car park on the left, with a long yellow barrier (photo).
(1) Leave the road, cross the car park and take the path at the far end. The path is signposted Marugawatôgé (丸川峠) and/or Daibosatsurei (大菩薩嶺). The path runs for less than 1 km along a valley floor interspersed with flood control dams, before climbing a small slope to the right to join a ridge between two valleys. From this point, the climb is steep, mostly following this ridge, which is at times very steep. You suddenly arrive at an area resembling a meadow where the path, much less steep, is marked by ropes stretched between stakes.
(2) After 200m across this meadow, you reach the Marugawatôgé (丸川峠) mountain hut. The hut looks very rustic but nevertheless offers the chance to eat and drink if needed. Before turning right just before the refuge to take the path leading up to the summit, carry on straight ahead to see a wooden sculpture of Buddha, which has been badly weathered but which I found very expressive. You can also sit for a while on the benches to rest and regain your strength.
Then take the path heading due east, which is still lined with ropes. If the weather is clear, you’ll catch your first views of Mount Fuji to the right, whilst you’re still in the ‘meadow’ area. You then enter the forest and climb up slopes of varying gradients—from gentle to quite steep—to the summit.
(3) The summit is of no particular interest, except for having your photo taken next to the post marking the location and altitude, as the view is obstructed by the forest. You need to continue along the ridge for about 200m to reach an open area with a view of almost 360°. Ideal for a picnic whilst admiring Mount Fuji, which reveals itself right down to its base. From this point, a path descends towards the south-west where you can catch a bus to Senzan station. But that is not our route; we continue along the ridge towards the south-east, which is open all the way with superb panoramic views, before reaching the end of the stage (E).
