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Mt. Utsukushimori & Mt. Tennyo Hiking Guide | A scenic loop above Kiyosato through the Kawamata River gorge

Mountain Guide ｜ Yatsugatake

Mt. Utsukushimori & Mt. Tennyo Hiking Guide | A scenic loop above Kiyosato through the Kawamata River gorge

Difficulty & route
Beginner

A loop linking Mt. Utsukushimori (1,543 m) and Mt. Tennyo (1,529 m) on the southern foot of the Yatsugatake range in the Kiyosato highlands, with the Kawamata River gorge in between. From the Utsukushimori observation deck you look out over the Yatsugatake peaks, Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps; the gorge offers clear water and small waterfalls; and Mt. Tennyo is a quiet summit that keeps a celestial-maiden legend and a poem monument. It is a Kiyosato-style hike of views and streams, entirely within the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park.

  • Mt. Utsukushimori1,543m
  • Mt. Tennyo1,529m
Elevation
1,543m
Course time
A loop from the Utsukushimori observation deck through the Kawamata River gorge to Mt. Tennyo — about 5 hours 25 minutes (editor's measured time, incl. breaks / July 2024)
Best season
Early summer to autumn (June–October). Fresh greenery, clear streams and autumn colours. The Utsukushimori deck is a short walk up and is easy even in winter.
Distance
10.9km
Total ascent
690m
Parking
Free parking at Utsukushimori (along the Yatsugatake Kogen Line in Kiyosato). The observation deck is a few minutes' walk away.
0:00Elapsed0.0km1,471m
Elevation profileEditor's measured GPX · surface distance11.02km
StartHighest point on the route 1,637mThe Utsukushimori viewpoint — blue sky and the Yatsugatake peaks seen through a wooden frame (about 1,540 m). (click to enlarge)The clear flow of the Kawamata River gorge — a pebbled riverbed and transparent water (about 1,550 m). (click to enlarge)In front of a waterfall dropping into the gorge — greenery and clear water on the southern foot of Yatsugatake (about 1,550 m). (click to enlarge)The sweeping view from the Utsukushimori observation deck — the finish of the loop (about 1,520 m). (click to enlarge)Mt. Tennyo1,4001,80005.511 kmStartHighest point on the route 1,637mThe Utsukushimori viewpoint — blue sky and the Yatsugatake peaks seen through a wooden frame (about 1,540 m). (click to enlarge)The clear flow of the Kawamata River gorge — a pebbled riverbed and transparent water (about 1,550 m). (click to enlarge)In front of a waterfall dropping into the gorge — greenery and clear water on the southern foot of Yatsugatake (about 1,550 m). (click to enlarge)The sweeping view from the Utsukushimori observation deck — the finish of the loop (about 1,520 m). (click to enlarge)Mt. Tennyo1,4001,80005.511 km
Route overviewEditor's measured GPS route on the GSI base map ·11.02km

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

LocationHokuto City, Yamanashi (southern foot of Yatsugatake / Kiyosato highlands; Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park)
TrailheadUtsukushimori car park／Nishiide, Oizumi-cho, Hokuto City, Yamanashi (Kiyosato / Utsukushimori)35.9385, 138.4229Open in Google Maps →
AccessBy car: from Nagasaka IC or Sutama IC on the Chuo Expressway toward Kiyosato and Utsukushimori. The Utsukushimori car park on the Yatsugatake Kogen Line is the starting point.
Summit35.9378, 138.4219View 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：2026-07-03

Mt. Utsukushimori and Mt. Tennyo are viewpoint hills on the southern foot of the Yatsugatake range, in the Kiyosato highlands of the editor’s home town of Hokuto. From the Utsukushimori observation deck you take in the Yatsugatake peaks, Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps, while Mt. Tennyo is a quiet summit that still keeps a celestial-maiden legend and a poem monument. Between the two runs the Kawamata River gorge, with clear water and small waterfalls — views, murmuring streams and legend all in one, a classic Kiyosato hiking area for beginners.

I walked it on an early July morning. Leaving the Utsukushimori car park a little after 6 a.m., I first enjoyed the Yatsugatake view from the Utsukushimori deck, then dropped down into the Kawamata River gorge. After passing through a cool valley of clear water and small falls, I climbed back up to the quiet summit of Mt. Tennyo and returned to Utsukushimori. There is nothing technically difficult, but with the descent into the gorge and the climb back out it was a satisfying full day — about 10.9 km, roughly 690 m of ascent, and about 5 hours 25 minutes including breaks.

The Utsukushimori observation deck alone is only a few minutes from the car park. From a short walk to the deck to the full loop linking the gorge and Mt. Tennyo, being able to choose how you enjoy it to suit your plans is the charm of this area.

It is an easy viewpoint, but the loop out to Mt. Tennyo is fairly long — about 10.9 km and around five and a half hours. Give yourself plenty of time and energy and start early. Take care in the Kawamata River gorge when water is high; the riverbanks and crossings are slippery, so don't push on in bad weather or after rain. There are many junctions, so check the signposts and your map often.

Routes

Choose your route

The loop from Utsukushimori through the Kawamata River gorge to Mt. Tennyo (the editor’s route)

Loop
Difficulty
Beginner
Approx. time
About 5h25m (editor's measured time, early start)
Day trip
Day trip · Beginner

Starting from the Utsukushimori car park, you first enjoy the Yatsugatake view from the Utsukushimori deck, descend into the Kawamata River gorge to follow the clear stream and waterfalls, climb back up to Mt. Tennyo and return to Utsukushimori. The editor walked this loop over a full day from early morning, covering about 10.9 km and 690 m of ascent. The elevation gain is small, but with the descent into the gorge and the climb back out it is a satisfying Kiyosato view hike.

A short stroll to the Utsukushimori observation deck only

Out & back
Difficulty
Beginner
Approx. time
About 20–30 min round trip from the car park
Day trip
Stroll · Beginner

From the Utsukushimori car park to the deck is a walk of just a few to a dozen minutes along a footpath. It is a popular Kiyosato spot where you can easily take in the sweeping view of Yatsugatake, Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps — families and sightseers stop by too. Many people visit only the deck without walking the full loop to Mt. Tennyo.

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. 06:05Depart the Utsukushimori car park (early-morning start)
  2. 06:26Utsukushimori observation deck — views of Yatsugatake and the surrounding peaks
  3. 07:30Kawamata River gorge (clear stream and small waterfalls)
  4. 08:56Reach the summit of Mt. Tennyo (1,529 m; peak of the celestial-maiden legend and poem monument)
  5. 11:30Descend to Utsukushimori (loop, about 5h25m)

History & culture

History & culture

Mt. Utsukushimori (Utsukushimori-yama, 1,543 m) and Mt. Tennyo (Tennyo-san, 1,529 m) are viewpoint hills in the Kiyosato highlands on the southern foot of the Yatsugatake range, within the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park.

Utsukushimori is known as one of Kiyosato’s finest viewpoints: just a few minutes up a footpath from the car park, it looks out over the Yatsugatake peaks (such as Akadake and Gongendake), Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps. In early summer, azaleas (renge-tsutsuji) add colour.

Mt. Tennyo takes its name from a legend that a celestial maiden (tennyo) descended here; its quiet summit holds a poem monument to the poet Omachi Keigetsu. The Kawamata River gorge that runs between the two peaks has clear water and many small waterfalls, and is known for the famous Doryu Falls.

Views, gorge and legend together make this a classic Kiyosato hiking area for beginners.

Photos

Photos from the trail

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

The Utsukushimori viewpoint — blue sky and the Yatsugatake peaks seen through a wooden frame (about 1,540 m).The Utsukushimori viewpoint — blue sky and the Yatsugatake peaks seen through a wooden frame (about 1,540 m).The clear flow of the Kawamata River gorge — a pebbled riverbed and transparent water (about 1,550 m).The clear flow of the Kawamata River gorge — a pebbled riverbed and transparent water (about 1,550 m).In front of a waterfall dropping into the gorge — greenery and clear water on the southern foot of Yatsugatake (about 1,550 m).In front of a waterfall dropping into the gorge — greenery and clear water on the southern foot of Yatsugatake (about 1,550 m).The sweeping view from the Utsukushimori observation deck — the finish of the loop (about 1,520 m).The sweeping view from the Utsukushimori observation deck — the finish of the loop (about 1,520 m).

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can beginners hike Utsukushimori and Tennyo?
Yes. The Utsukushimori observation deck is only a few minutes' walk from the car park, so families and sightseers can easily enjoy the Yatsugatake view. The editor's loop from Utsukushimori through the Kawamata River gorge to Mt. Tennyo has nothing technically difficult, but at about 10.9 km, 690 m of ascent and about 5 hours 25 minutes including breaks it is on the longer side. Allow plenty of time and energy and start early.
What can you see from the Utsukushimori observation deck?
It is known as one of Kiyosato’s finest viewpoints, looking out over the Yatsugatake peaks (Akadake, Gongendake and others), Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps. On a clear day the contrast between blue sky and the Yatsugatake ridge is superb. It is close to the car park and quick to reach, so many people visit only the deck without walking to Mt. Tennyo.
What is the origin of Mt. Tennyo's name?
Mt. Tennyo (Tennyo-san, 1,529 m) is said to take its name from a legend that a celestial maiden descended here; its quiet summit holds a poem monument to the poet Omachi Keigetsu. The Kawamata River gorge between it and Utsukushimori has clear water and small waterfalls and is known for the famous Doryu Falls. Being able to enjoy views, gorge and legend together is the charm of this area.
How long is it, and how far?
By the editor's own measurement, the loop from Utsukushimori through the Kawamata River gorge to Mt. Tennyo was about 10.9 km, 690 m of ascent and about 5 hours 25 minutes including breaks (July 2024). The Utsukushimori deck alone is about a 20–30 minute round trip from the car park. You can choose anything from a short stroll to the deck to a full-day loop, to suit your plans.

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