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5 Tanzawa Mountains for Beginners | Day-Hike Routes Sorted by Fitness Level

2026.02.20

If you're after mountains that are easy to reach from central Tokyo and forgiving for a beginner, the Tanzawa range is where I'd point you. It's about ninety minutes by train from Shinjuku, and on several of these mountains you start walking straight from the station. The problem, once you start looking, is deciding where to begin. Here are five Tanzawa mountains chosen so you can pick by fitness level — from a route with a four-hour timing to a proper workout that doubles as Mt. Fuji training — in order of how gentle they are.

Distances, ascent figures and timings are approximate. Check official sources for current trail and transport conditions before you go.

1. Ononyama | The easiest start, with grassland at the top

The gentlest of the five in terms of effort. It's a traverse starting at Yaga Station on the JR Gotemba Line and finishing at Yamakita Station: roughly 8 km, about 600 m of total ascent, and a standard timing of around four hours. The numbers might read as a lot, but there's no sustained steep section and the walking is comfortable throughout.

Because it's a traverse rather than an out-and-back, there's new scenery the whole way. The first half climbs gently through forest, and the view opens as you gain height. Near the summit it becomes open grassland, and in good weather Mt. Fuji stands close and clear. A good fit if your thought is "I'd like to try walking for about four hours."

2. Bukkasan | A wide panorama over Lake Miyagase

Second is Bukkasan. Take a bus from Hon-Atsugi Station to the Bukkasan trailhead and go out and back: around 5 km, roughly 650 m of total ascent, standard timing about three and a half hours. One of the most compact days here.

The distance is short but the ascent is real, so it feels like more of a climb than you'd expect. The first half works up through forest, gaining height steadily. The highlight is the observation tower a little beyond the summit — climb it and a big view over Lake Miyagase opens up. Suited to anyone thinking "three hours I can manage," or wanting to step up with a half-day hike.

3. Oyama | The classic, with history and a view

Third is Oyama. A bus from Isehara Station to the Oyama Cable bus stop, then up to the summit: about 7.5 km, roughly 950 m of ascent, standard timing around five hours. Not especially long, but there's substance to the climbing.

What makes Oyama distinctive is that you climb through the atmosphere of a pilgrimage route, past Afuri Shrine — history and sightseeing alongside the walking. The view from the top is excellent, and it's easy to see why this has been a mountain of worship for so long. A good choice for anyone who wants to properly climb a Tanzawa classic once.

4. Oomuroyama | The deeper, quieter side of West Tanzawa

Fourth is Oomuroyama, over in the West Tanzawa area, where you get quiet ridge walking with few people about. Going further in than the first three means a fuller taste of how deep Tanzawa's forests run — mossy woodland, clear streams, the scenery West Tanzawa is known for. Right for the person thinking "I've done the standard ones; now I'd like somewhere quieter."

5. Tonodake | Onto the "Baka-one," where people build their legs

Last is Tonodake. The Okura ridge — nicknamed "Baka-one," the relentless ridge, because it simply climbs and climbs — is where hikers around here go to build fitness. It's ideal training with something bigger like Mt. Fuji in mind, and the view from the summit is worth the work. It's the most demanding route of the five, so I'd build up on 1 to 4 first.

What I'd suggest: start with the one that fits your legs

Looking back across the five, in order of effort:

• New to hiking, want to just walk → 1. Ononyama (grassland and Mt. Fuji)
• A half day with a real sense of achievement → 2. Bukkasan (the panorama from the tower)
• Climb a proper classic → 3. Oyama (history and views)
• Somewhere quiet → 4. Oomuroyama (the depth of West Tanzawa)
• Build fitness and take on something harder → 5. Tonodake (training on the Baka-one)

Tanzawa holds all of it, from a beginner's first step to serious training. Pick the one that matches your legs right now, and make that your Tanzawa debut.

🛒 See the gear from the video as a list → A packing list for your first low-mountain hike

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