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Mt. Rakanjisan (Yasaburodake) Hiking Guide | A loop from Shosenkyo Gorge over Takanosuyama and Hakusayama

Mountain Guide ｜ Around Kofu

Mt. Rakanjisan (Yasaburodake) Hiking Guide | A loop from Shosenkyo Gorge over Takanosuyama and Hakusayama

Difficulty & route
Beginner

Mt. Rakanjisan rises above Shosenkyo Gorge, a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty north of Kofu City. Its highest point, Yasaburodake (1,058 m), is a dome-shaped granite summit with a sweeping view of Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps, Mt. Kinpu and the Kofu Basin. You reach Yasaburodake by way of Takanosuyama and Hakusayama, then descend past the strange rocks and famous falls of Shosenkyo — Kakuenpo, the Stone Gate and Sengataki Falls — in a loop of grand views and gorge scenery.

  • 弥三郎岳（羅漢寺山）1,058m
Elevation
1,058m
Course time
A loop from Shosenkyo Gorge over Takanosuyama, Hakusayama and Yasaburodake — about 5 hours 41 minutes (editor's measured time, incl. breaks / December 2024). For Yasaburodake alone, the Shosenkyo Ropeway makes it an easy trip.
Best season
Year-round. Fresh greenery, autumn colours and clear winter skies are all beautiful. Enjoy it together with the gorge scenery of Shosenkyo Gorge, a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty.
Distance
13km
Total ascent
890m
Parking
The municipal and prefectural car parks at Shosenkyo (at Shosenkyo-guchi and along the Green Line). For a spot near Yasaburodake, the Shosenkyo Ropeway (Panoramadai Station) is also available.
0:00Elapsed0.0km464m
Elevation profileEditor's measured GPX · surface distance13.1km
StartHighest point on the route 1,058mLooking out over the Kofu Basin and the Southern Alps from a viewpoint on the climb to Takanosuyama (about 840 m). (click to enlarge)A distant view of the snow-clad ranges of the Southern Alps from the Hakusan observation deck (about 860 m). (click to enlarge)On the granite rock of Hakusayama, under a wide blue sky (about 1,010 m). (click to enlarge)Looking out over the snowy Southern Alps from the white granite of Hakusayama (about 1,020 m). (click to enlarge)The white granite rock face that gave Hakusayama its name (about 1,030 m). (click to enlarge)Standing on the granite dome summit of Yasaburodake (Mt. Rakanjisan). A grand view of the Kofu Basin and the mountains (elevation 1,058 m). (click to enlarge)Sengataki Falls in Shosenkyo. A famous cascade dropping into the granite gorge (about 710 m). (click to enlarge)Kakuenpo in Shosenkyo. A sheer granite rock peak (about 700 m). (click to enlarge)4001,20006.613.1 kmStartHighest point on the route 1,058mLooking out over the Kofu Basin and the Southern Alps from a viewpoint on the climb to Takanosuyama (about 840 m). (click to enlarge)A distant view of the snow-clad ranges of the Southern Alps from the Hakusan observation deck (about 860 m). (click to enlarge)On the granite rock of Hakusayama, under a wide blue sky (about 1,010 m). (click to enlarge)Looking out over the snowy Southern Alps from the white granite of Hakusayama (about 1,020 m). (click to enlarge)The white granite rock face that gave Hakusayama its name (about 1,030 m). (click to enlarge)Standing on the granite dome summit of Yasaburodake (Mt. Rakanjisan). A grand view of the Kofu Basin and the mountains (elevation 1,058 m). (click to enlarge)Sengataki Falls in Shosenkyo. A famous cascade dropping into the granite gorge (about 710 m). (click to enlarge)Kakuenpo in Shosenkyo. A sheer granite rock peak (about 700 m). (click to enlarge)4001,20006.613.1 km
Route overviewEditor's measured GPS route on the GSI base map ·13.1km

Source: GSI tiles (Geospatial Information Authority of Japan) ／ The route is the editor's measured YAMAP activity track (GPX).Scroll-zoom is enabled after you click the map.

Location & access

LocationKofu City, Yamanashi (Shosenkyo Gorge / Mt. Rakanjisan)
TrailheadShosenkyo (Mt. Rakanjisan trailhead)／Kofu City, Yamanashi (Shosenkyo)35.7252, 138.5498Open in Google Maps →
AccessBy car: from Kofu-Showa IC on the Chuo Expressway to Shosenkyo. Buses also run from Kofu Station to Shosenkyo-guchi and Shosenkyo-takiue. For Yasaburodake, you can use the Shosenkyo Ropeway (Panoramadai Station).
Summit35.7473, 138.5595View on map →

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
編集長
Climbed on：2026-07-02

Mt. Rakanjisan rises above Shosenkyo, a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty spreading north of Kofu, next to the editor’s home town of Hokuto City. Its highest point, Yasaburodake, stands at 1,058 m, characterised by a dome-shaped summit formed by the weathering of granite. Different again from the high peaks of Yatsugatake and the Southern Alps, this is a viewpoint mountain of Kofu coloured by strange rocks and gorge scenery — walked and introduced here by the Hokuto editor on a single clear winter day.

I walked it in December. Starting from Shosenkyo, I linked the viewpoints of Takanosuyama, the Hakusan observation deck and Hakusayama, and climbed to the granite dome summit of Yasaburodake. From the top a grand view opened out over Mt. Fuji, the snow-clad Southern Alps, Mt. Kinpu and, below, the Kofu Basin. The descent dropped from the ropeway’s Panoramadai into the gorge, looping past the strange rocks and famous falls that only Shosenkyo can offer — Kakuenpo, the Stone Gate and Sengataki Falls.

The editor’s measured time, including breaks, was about 5 hours 41 minutes (depart 07:52, Yasaburodake 11:04, descend 13:34), covering about 13.0 km with about 890 m of ascent. The elevation is not high, but this was a varied loop in which you can savour all at once the granite viewpoints of Hakusayama and Yasaburodake and the gorge scenery of Shosenkyo, praised as the finest in Japan.

The summit of Yasaburodake is a granite dome, and the top of the rock is narrow with real exposure. Including viewpoints such as Hakusayama, beware of falls and watch your footing. For Yasaburodake alone, you can climb it easily by the Shosenkyo Ropeway. Enjoyed together with the sights of Shosenkyo such as Kakuenpo and Sengataki Falls, it is a representative viewpoint mountain of Kofu.

Routes

Choose your route

The loop from Shosenkyo over Takanosuyama, Hakusayama and Yasaburodake (the editor’s route)

Loop
Difficulty
Beginner
Approx. time
About 5h41m (editor's measured time) / standard about 6h
Day trip
Day trip

Starting from Shosenkyo, you link the viewpoints of Takanosuyama, the Hakusan observation deck and Hakusayama, then reach the dome-shaped granite summit of Yasaburodake (the highest point of Mt. Rakanjisan). The descent drops from the ropeway’s Panoramadai into the gorge, looping back past Shosenkyo’s highlights — Kakuenpo, the Stone Gate and Sengataki Falls. The elevation is not high, but the granite viewpoints of Hakusayama and Yasaburodake have real exposure, so watch your footing. The editor walked this loop over a single clear winter day.

To Yasaburodake by the Shosenkyo Ropeway (the easy route)

Out & back
Difficulty
Beginner
Approx. time
About 30–40 min round trip from Panoramadai Station to Yasaburodake
Day trip
Day trip · for sightseers

Ride the Shosenkyo Ropeway up to Panoramadai Station and the summit of Yasaburodake is just a short walk away. You can easily enjoy the granite dome summit and its grand view. Many people visit it as part of sightseeing, and combining it with the gorge scenery of Shosenkyo — Sengataki Falls, Kakuenpo and more — is the classic way to do it. The rock at the summit is narrow with real exposure, so watch your footing.

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.

  1. 07:52Depart Shosenkyo (Mt. Rakanjisan trailhead)
  2. 08:09Takanosuyama
  3. 09:35Hakusan observation deck
  4. 10:09Hakusayama (granite viewpoint)
  5. 11:04Reach the summit of Yasaburodake (Mt. Rakanjisan, elevation 1,058 m)
  6. 12:12Shosenkyo Ropeway (Panoramadai)
  7. 12:22Sengataki Falls and Kakuenpo (scenic spots of Shosenkyo)
  8. 13:34Descend to Shosenkyo (loop, about 5h41m)

History & culture

History & culture

Mt. Rakanjisan rises above Shosenkyo Gorge, a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty north of Kofu City, and its highest point, Yasaburodake, stands at 1,058 m.

The mountain’s name is said to derive from Rakanji, an old temple at its foot. The highest point, Yasaburodake, is a dome-shaped summit formed by the weathering of granite, and from the top a grand view opens out over Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps, Mt. Kinpu and, below, the Kofu Basin. The name Yasaburodake is said to come from a legend about a master sake brewer called Yasaburo.

Carved into the eastern foot of the mountain, Shosenkyo is a gorge shaped over long ages by the erosion of granite and is praised as “the finest gorge scenery in Japan.” Sheer peaks such as Kakuenpo, the piled-up boulders of the Stone Gate, and the cascading Sengataki Falls — a succession of strange rocks and famous falls.

Ride the Shosenkyo Ropeway up to Panoramadai and Yasaburodake is just a short walk away, making this a representative viewpoint mountain of Kofu that can be climbed easily as part of sightseeing.

Photos

Photos from the trail

All photos were taken by the editor on the actual hike. Tap to enlarge.

Looking out over the Kofu Basin and the Southern Alps from a viewpoint on the climb to Takanosuyama (about 840 m).Looking out over the Kofu Basin and the Southern Alps from a viewpoint on the climb to Takanosuyama (about 840 m).A distant view of the snow-clad ranges of the Southern Alps from the Hakusan observation deck (about 860 m).A distant view of the snow-clad ranges of the Southern Alps from the Hakusan observation deck (about 860 m).On the granite rock of Hakusayama, under a wide blue sky (about 1,010 m).On the granite rock of Hakusayama, under a wide blue sky (about 1,010 m).Looking out over the snowy Southern Alps from the white granite of Hakusayama (about 1,020 m).Looking out over the snowy Southern Alps from the white granite of Hakusayama (about 1,020 m).The white granite rock face that gave Hakusayama its name (about 1,030 m).The white granite rock face that gave Hakusayama its name (about 1,030 m).Standing on the granite dome summit of Yasaburodake (Mt. Rakanjisan). A grand view of the Kofu Basin and the mountains (elevation 1,058 m).Standing on the granite dome summit of Yasaburodake (Mt. Rakanjisan). A grand view of the Kofu Basin and the mountains (elevation 1,058 m).Sengataki Falls in Shosenkyo. A famous cascade dropping into the granite gorge (about 710 m).Sengataki Falls in Shosenkyo. A famous cascade dropping into the granite gorge (about 710 m).Kakuenpo in Shosenkyo. A sheer granite rock peak (about 700 m).Kakuenpo in Shosenkyo. A sheer granite rock peak (about 700 m).

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can beginners climb Mt. Rakanjisan / Yasaburodake?
For Yasaburodake alone, you can ride the Shosenkyo Ropeway up to Panoramadai and reach the summit with just a short walk, so it can be enjoyed easily as part of sightseeing. Note that the summit is a granite dome, and the top of the rock is narrow with real exposure, so watch your footing. The editor’s loop via Takanosuyama and Hakusayama is long at about 13 km, so plan it as a day hike with plenty of time and energy in reserve.
What kind of place is Shosenkyo?
Shosenkyo is a gorge shaped over long ages by the erosion of granite and, praised as “the finest gorge scenery in Japan,” it is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty. Sheer peaks such as Kakuenpo, the piled-up boulders of the Stone Gate, and the cascading Sengataki Falls form a succession of strange rocks and famous falls. Many people walk the gorge footpaths together with a climb of Mt. Rakanjisan (Yasaburodake), making it a popular scenic spot.
What is the view from the summit of Yasaburodake?
The summit of Yasaburodake is a dome-shaped top formed by the weathering of granite, and with little to block the view around it, a wide vista opens out. You can see Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps, Mt. Kinpu and, below, the Kofu Basin. The top of the rock is narrow with real exposure, so take great care with your footing even while enjoying the view.
Where does the mountain’s name come from?
The name of Mt. Rakanjisan is said to derive from Rakanji, an old temple at its foot. Its highest point, Yasaburodake, is said to be named after a legend about a master sake brewer called Yasaburo. Together with the gorge scenery of Shosenkyo, it is a representative viewpoint mountain of Kofu, coloured too by faith and legend.

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