Mt. Kayagatake Hiking Guide | A loop over Mt. Kanagatake from Fukada Memorial Park, where Kyuya Fukada spent his final day
Difficulty & route
Intermediate
Mt. Kayagatake, 1,704 m, rises on the border of Hokuto City and Kai City in Yamanashi. One of the 200 Famous Mountains of Japan, it is known as the place where Kyuya Fukada, author of 'One Hundred Mountains of Japan', spent his final day. The usual walk is a loop from Fukada Memorial Park up Mt. Kayagatake and on north to Mt. Kanagatake (1,764 m). Its resemblance to Yatsugatake has earned it the nickname 'Fake Yatsu'.
Mt. Kayagatake1,704m
Mt. Kanagatake1,764m
Elevation
1,704m
Course time
A loop from Fukada Memorial Park over Mt. Kayagatake and Mt. Kanagatake — about 8 hours 13 minutes (editor's measured time, incl. breaks / August 2024). Standard time about 7 hours.
Best season
Spring to early winter. The fresh greenery and autumn colours are beautiful. In summer, take measures against heat and insects; in winter, watch for snow and ice.
Distance
12.6km
Total ascent
1,146m
Parking
Car park at Fukada Memorial Park (the Kayagatake trailhead). Toilets available.
0:00Elapsed0.0km946m
Elevation profileEditor's measured GPX · surface distance12.71kmRoute overviewEditor's measured GPS route on the GSI base map ·12.71km
LocationHokuto City and Kai City, Yamanashi (Mt. Kayagatake and Mt. Kanagatake)
TrailheadFukada Memorial Park (the Kayagatake trailhead)／Sutama-cho, Hokuto City, Yamanashi (Fukada Memorial Park)35.7703, 138.5068Open in Google Maps →
AccessBy car: from Nirasaki IC on the Chuo Expressway to Fukada Memorial Park. There is also a bus from Nirasaki Station to Fukada Park / the Kayagatake trailhead.
Coordinates are the trailhead and summit points from the editor's own GPS track.
Watch
Watch this hike on video
Editor's note
Editor's note
編集長
Climbed on：2026-07-02
Mt. Kayagatake is a mountain of 1,704 m rising on the border of the editor's home ground of Hokuto City and Kai City. One of the 200 Famous Mountains of Japan, its gentle form closely resembling Yatsugatake earns it the nickname 'Fake Yatsu' (imitation Yatsugatake). And it is known as the place where Kyuya Fukada, author of the acclaimed 'One Hundred Mountains of Japan', died while climbing — a representative peak of the Hokuto and Kofu area.
I walked it in August. Starting from Fukada Memorial Park, I climbed to the summit of Mt. Kayagatake, then pushed on north over the south peak of Mt. Kanagatake to Mt. Kanagatake itself (1,764 m). In fact Mt. Kanagatake is higher than Mt. Kayagatake — the highest point of this loop. From the summit spread a grand view taking in Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps and Yatsugatake, and, below, the Kofu Basin.
The editor's measured time, including breaks, was about 8 hours 13 minutes (depart 06:15, Kayagatake 08:26, Kanagatake 10:36, down at 14:28), covering about 12.6 km with about 1,146 m of ascent. In elevation it may not match the high peaks of Yatsugatake or the Southern Alps, but it is a satisfying loop through rock gates and rocky ground — one of the 200 Famous Mountains lying close to the villages and coloured by history.
The Kayagatake–Kanagatake loop is long and has rock gates, rocky sections and steep ups and downs. The area around Onna-iwa is sometimes on a detour due to a collapse, so check the latest information at the trailhead. Together with the monument marking where Kyuya Fukada spent his final day and Fukada Memorial Park at its foot, it is a mountain where you can walk while feeling its history.
Routes
Choose your route
The loop from Fukada Memorial Park over Mt. Kayagatake and Mt. Kanagatake (the editor's route)
Loop
Difficulty
Intermediate
Approx. time
About 8h13m (editor's measured time) / standard about 7 hours
Day trip
Day trip · for strong walkers
Starting from Fukada Memorial Park, you climb to the summit of Mt. Kayagatake via the Onna-iwa side (a detour is in place due to a collapse). You then push on north to the south peak of Mt. Kanagatake and Mt. Kanagatake itself (1,764 m — the highest point of this loop), before descending the ridge back to Fukada Park. Between Kayagatake and Kanagatake there are rock gates, rocky sections and steep ups and downs, and the distance is long. It is far more of a workout than simply going up and down Mt. Kayagatake alone. The editor walked this loop too.
Mt. Kayagatake out and back only (from Fukada Park)
Out & back
Difficulty
Intermediate
Approx. time
About 4–5 hours round trip to Mt. Kayagatake
Day trip
Day trip · beginner–intermediate
An out-and-back route from Fukada Memorial Park to the summit of Mt. Kayagatake, aiming only for Kayagatake, one of the 200 Famous Mountains. There is a steep climb just below the summit, but it is shorter than the loop that extends to Mt. Kanagatake, and there are toilets and a car park at the trailhead. Many people visit it together with the monument marking where Kyuya Fukada spent his final day and Fukada Park.
Editor's record
Editor's measured times
The editor's actual timings on this hike (from the video record). Use them as a guide to course times.
06:15Depart Fukada Memorial Park (the Kayagatake trailhead)
08:26Reach the summit of Mt. Kayagatake (1,704 m; where Kyuya Fukada spent his final day; one of the 200 Famous Mountains of Japan)
10:21South peak of Mt. Kanagatake
10:36Mt. Kanagatake (1,764 m; the highest point of this loop)
14:28Descend to Fukada Memorial Park (loop, about 8h13m)
History & culture
History & culture
Mt. Kayagatake (Kayagatake, 1,704 m) is a mountain on the border of Hokuto City and Kai City in Yamanashi, counted among the 200 Famous Mountains of Japan.
Its gentle form closely resembles Yatsugatake, and it is affectionately nicknamed 'Fake Yatsu' (imitation Yatsugatake). To its north stands Mt. Kanagatake (1,764 m), and the loop over Mt. Kayagatake and Mt. Kanagatake starting from Fukada Memorial Park is a popular walk.
This mountain is known as the place where Kyuya Fukada, author of the acclaimed 'One Hundred Mountains of Japan', died while climbing in 1971 — the place where he spent his final day. On the mountain stands a monument reading 'The place where Master Kyuya Fukada spent his final day', and at its foot Fukada Memorial Park has been laid out in his memory.
From the summit spreads a fine view taking in Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps, Yatsugatake and, below, the Kofu Basin. Though not high in elevation, it is one of the representative mountains of the Hokuto and Kofu area, coloured by both its views and its history.
Photos
Photos from the trail
All photos were taken by the editor on the actual hike. Tap to enlarge.
If you simply go out and back to Mt. Kayagatake from Fukada Memorial Park, it is relatively approachable among the 200 Famous Mountains. That said, there is a steep climb just below the summit, and the area around Onna-iwa is sometimes on a detour due to a collapse. The loop the editor walked, extending to Mt. Kanagatake, is on the longer side at about 12.6 km and about 1,146 m of ascent — an intermediate route for strong walkers. Plan with plenty of energy and time.
What does 'the place where Kyuya Fukada spent his final day' mean?
Kyuya Fukada, known as the author of 'One Hundred Mountains of Japan', died while climbing this very Mt. Kayagatake in 1971, which is why it is called the place where he spent his final day. On the mountain stands a monument reading 'The place where Master Kyuya Fukada spent his final day', and at its foot Fukada Memorial Park has been laid out in his memory. Many people visit it together with their climb — a mountain with deep associations.
Can I climb Mt. Kanagatake as a set too?
The usual route is to climb Mt. Kayagatake from Fukada Memorial Park and then loop north over the south peak of Mt. Kanagatake and Mt. Kanagatake itself (1,764 m). In fact Mt. Kanagatake is higher than Mt. Kayagatake and is the highest point of this loop. Between Kayagatake and Kanagatake there are rock gates, rocky sections and steep ups and downs, so walk with plenty of time and energy to spare.
Why is it nicknamed 'Fake Yatsu'?
Because Mt. Kayagatake has a gentle form closely resembling Yatsugatake, it is affectionately nicknamed 'Fake Yatsu' (imitation Yatsugatake). Although lower in elevation than the real Yatsugatake, from its summit spreads a fine view taking in Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps, Yatsugatake and the Kofu Basin.
