Stucked in Tōkyō on Saturday, I had only Sunday to go out in the mountains. Okutama is an easy destination in such cases, but I wanted to try something else. I chose Kentokuzan (乾徳山), a summit located in the South-West part of the Oku-chichibu-sankai (奥秩父山塊) massif.

Even if it is similar to Okutama mountains as it is in the same range, the forest and the vegetation are slightly different. I could add to my alpine flower pictures collection: filipendula multijuga, potentilla dickinsii, sedum aizoon.

Add to the vegetation difference, the steeper and rocky geomorphology of the summit and you end up with an almost totally different impression of the hike. Even if the climb to the summit is short and easy it also add fun to this summit.

On the way down, a surprise was waiting for me. As I was hurrying up to avoid the coming thunder, I bumped into some Sika deer (cervus nippon) herd.

But with a 36°C (96.8°F) temperature, with enough time before thunder hit the area, the best time of the day was when I bathed into the river at the end of the hike.

If the landscapes have nothing to compare with the ones I enjoyed last week from Kaikomagatake (甲斐駒ケ岳) and Hōōsanzan (鳳凰三山), it was still a very pleasant day out.

General facts

Located in Yamanashi prefecture (山梨県), in Okuchichibu-sankai (奥秩父山塊) massif, Kentokuzan is not a well known mountain, even amongst Japanese hikers. It’s interest is to offer a rocky summit which require an easy rock climb to reach the top, which changes from the generally woody summits of the massif. If you are looking for a day out from Tōkyō but start to get bored of Okutama, it is a good alternative.

Mountain lodges

Day hike, there is only one emergency hut at Kentokuzan : Kōgen hut (高原ヒュッテ)
Located at Kokushigahara (国師ヶ原). Open all year.
For information : 0553-39-2121 / fax: 0553-39-2138
No water source close to the hut.

Access from Tōkyō

Train timetables : using http://www.hyperdia.com/en/ website, you can search Japan trains timetables in English.

The closest train station is Enzan (塩山駅) on the JR Chuō line (中央線). There are only four bus a day doing the trip between the station and the start of the footpath at Kentokuzan-tozanguchi (乾徳山登山口). Buses leave the station at 9:05, 10:10, 13:00 and 14:30 and arrive at the start of the trail at 9:37, 10:42, 13:32 and 15:02 (650 yen). Check the following page (in Japanese) for the bus timetables : http://yamanashikotsu.co.jp/noriai/timetable03.htm.
To be on time for the first bus you will have to take the Azusa #3 train (あずさ3号) which leaves Shinjuku at 7:30 and arrive at Enzan station at 8:53 (3190 yen without reservation ; 3700 yens with reservation).

To go back, buses leave Kentokuzan-tozanguchi at 10:58, 13:18, 14:58 and 16:18 and arrive at Enzan station at 11:30, 13:50, 15:30 and 16:50. If you took the last bus, the first train back to Tōkyō is a train called Holiday tokkyū view Yamanashi (ホリデー快速ビューやまなし) which arrives at 18:55 at Shinjuku (1890 yens). If you want to save 430 yen, You can go down at Takao station (高尾駅) and take a direct train to Shinjuku on the Keiō-takao line (京王高尾線) which leaves Takao at 18:15 and arrive at 19:03.

Maps

There’s only one map necessary for this hike:
1/25000地形図、河浦、甲府6号-1、 NI-54-31-6-1 (Kawaura, Kōfu 6-1, NI-54-31-6-1)

GPX file GPS: kentokuzan.gpx . Read the disclaimer before using the GPX files.

Safety

To access the summit, you need to rock climb. Although it is a short, easy climb equiped with a chain, it can be deadly if you fall. Depending on your level, your ability to climb and the dilapidation of the equipment, the usage of a rope might be necessary to insure your security.

Check the weather forecast on the english page of the Japan Meteorological Agency : http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html

For the latest information regarding mountain conditions, check the Yamanashi prefecture (山梨県) police homepage (in Japanese) at http://www.pref.yamanashi.jp/police/sangaku/index.html or call them at 055-235-2121.

National phone numbers for rescue are 119 for firefighters/rescue and 110 for the police (prefer the firefighters for rescue). The following numbers can also be usefull in case of emergency:

• the closest police station, Kasukabe (日下部警察署) at 0553-22-0110
• the Yamanashi prefecture police reception at 055-235-2121.