Mt. Gozaisho Hike (Mie/Shiga) Nagoya Dayhike

Gozaishodake 1212m is one of the nicest day hikes from Nagoya and an easy to intermediate hike depending on which trail you take and if you use the ropeway. It's easily accessible by direct bus from Nagoya station. There is also a waterfall next to the trail and multiple Onsen at the trailhead.

		
⏲︎	Time: 3-4h
✎	Kanji: 御在所岳
⚲ 	Location: Shiga
↔	Distance: 6km
✮	Difficulty: Easy
ᨒ	Elevation Gain: 750m
☀	Dayhike
☉	Hiking Season: year-round

Access

Car

Park at the ropeway station. Parking is 1000¥. You can also park along the road close to one of the trailheads but then you'll have to walk along the road to get back to your car and there are only a couple of spots. If you come by car the highway exit is ETC only, so make sure you have an ETC card.

Public Transportation

Take the direct Mie Kotsu bus from Meitetsu Bus Center (Nagoya). It has one departure on weekdays and two on the weekend. Cost is 1500¥ one way. You can use your IC card or buy a ticket at the bus center.

Trail description

Mount Gozaisho has many trails which makes it perfect for a loop. There is also a ropeway to skip the elevation gain but the main beauty of Gozaisho is not the peak but the interesting rock formations on the way up and down.

The trail described here starts right behind the ropeway on the left side. After 5 min keep right towards the river. You'll walk on a little walkway with a fence next to it. Once you get to the river walk up the driveway (or go down the little path to the river to see the waterfall, past a small parking lot (for the lodge) and an abandoned van. Continue along the river upstream until you get to Tonai goya. If you climb on the weekend they will be open and you can get food/drinks and use their toilets. After the hut continue upstream towards Kunimitoge.

From Kunimitoge it will only be another 20min to the peak and you'll walk on the ski slope.

The peak of Gozaisho is sadly very developed with lots of buildings, roads, shops as it is a ski resort in winter. You can walk around a bit but there isn't as much to see as on the actual hike.

To go down head to the ropeway and if you have a look at Yamap you'll see there are two trails heading down. Take the left one, that keeps on the left side of the ropeway. You can either walk around the ropeway building or go through. This trail has a couple of easy climbing sections and is really fun. After about 1:30min you'll get back to town and walk along the road back to the ropeway or wherever you parked your car.

If you go during summer watch out for mountain/forest leeches. The Suzuka Mountains are infested with them, especially in cool and shady areas. Bring salt just in case.

If you want to hike Gozaisho in the off-season check here