Mt. Kumotori: Tokyo’s Wilderness High Point

Standing on the summit of Mt. Kumotori is a geographic and historical milestone—it is the highest point in Tokyo. During the Edo Shogunate, this mountain served as a vital frontier boundary, marking the literal edge of the capital’s governance and the start of the untamed interior.

• The Status: Reaching the 2,017m apex is the definitive "status hike" for anyone wanting to truly experience the scale of the Kanto region.

• The History: You are walking a ridge that once guarded the Shogun’s seat, a high-altitude borderland that has watched over the evolution of Tokyo for centuries.

Technical Specs:

Distance

• 20-25km

Ascent

• Approx 1500m vertical gain

Max Elavation

• 2017m (6617ft)

Terrain Type

• Single-track, rocky ridges, forest roots

Physical Rating

• Advanced (High-stamina required)

Mt. Kumotori is a gateway to the Okuyama (deep interior), a region where ancient mountain spirituality meets modern global storytelling. It is a landscape defined by the "mountain spirit" that has shaped Japanese culture from the Edo period to the present day.

• The Folklore: This region is central to the tradition of wolf worship connected to the nearby 

• Mitsumine Shrine, where the Japanese wolf was revered as a guardian of the high passes.

• The Pop Culture: For the modern traveler, Kumotori holds legendary status as the "hometown" of the heroes in Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba). Walking these ridges allows you to step directly into the atmosphere of Japan’s most iconic modern epic.

While the world focuses on climbing Mt. Fuji, seasoned mountaineers know that the most majestic view of the icon is found from the peaks that surround it. Mt. Kumotori offers what is arguably the premier unobstructed panorama of the Fuji massif and the Southern Alps.

• The Visuals: From the 2,017m summit, you see the full, iconic profile of Fuji rising above the Kanto plain—a perspective far more expansive than what is visible from the Fuji summit itself.

• The Traverse: This is a rugged wilderness journey that provides a 360-degree narrative of the land, placing the urban sprawl of Tokyo and the silence of the deep mountains into one breathtaking view.

The climb to 2,017m is a study in Japanese mountain ecology. The trail begins in the dense, shaded cedar and cypress forests of the lower elevations—the Satoyama—before breaking out into the rugged, sub-alpine environment of the interior.

• The Elevation: You will tackle a significant vertical gain of over 1,500 meters.

• The Transition: As you climb, the forest thins into ancient larch and birch, eventually revealing the rocky, weather-beaten ridgelines that define the high-country of the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park.

Unlike the paved or highly developed paths found closer to Tokyo, the route to Kumotori is a true mountain traverse. The terrain is varied, requiring consistent focus and a high degree of "mountain sense."

• The Terrain: Expect a mix of rooted forest paths, loose volcanic soil, and narrow, rocky ridgelines.

• The Exposure: While not a technical rock climb, the trail features sections of moderate exposure where the ridges drop away to reveal expansive valleys. It is a physical journey that rewards balanced movement and steady pacing.

The Mt. Kumotori traverse is an endurance objective. Covering approximately 20 to 25 kilometers in a single day, this is widely considered the most challenging "day hike" accessible from the capital.

• The Commitment: A typical trip lasts 10- 12 hours of moving time.

• The Pacing: This is a test of aerobic capacity and leg strength. Because it is a long-distance wilderness route, maintaining a consistent pace is essential to navigate the technical sections and reach the summit within the optimal weather windows.