Mount Ohdake “Demon Slayer” Real Life Locations in Japan

November 12, 2020

Here, I would like to introduce the details about Mt. Ohdakewhich stands at the boundary of Hinohara village and Okutama town, Tokyo.
This is the 8th “Demon Slayer” Real life Locations on the list.

To check out the lists, please click here↓
12 Spots “Demon Slayer” Real life Locations in Japan (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

What Is Mt. Ohdake?

・Location: At the boundary of Hinohara village and Okutama town in Tokyo.
・Elevation: 4,155′ (1,266.5m)

It is a popular mountain for many hikers because of its beautiful view, and because Mt. Ohdake is located Okutama area that is easy access from the city center. Mountain trails for Mt. Ohdake continue from many directions. Everyone (from beginners to people with advanced skills) can choose a route that suits their skills and their physical strength. You can even take a day trip to the mountain if you use the cable car and bus.

Why Is It Real life Locations?

Although Mt. Ohdake is not appeared in the Anime (or Manga) Demon Slayer, it is said to be Inosuke Hashibira’s hometown who is Tanjiro’s best friend and a member of demon slayer corps.
That is the main reason why Mt. Ohdake has become “real life location”.

7 Climbing Route of Mt. Ohdake

There are many climbing routes of Mt. Ohdake, and I will introduce some of them here!

Route #1: Cable Car – Mt. Mitake (御岳山) – Akuba Pass (芥場峠)

You have to go over other mountains and passes to reach the summit of Mt. Ohdake because it is surrounded by other mountains. Therefore, the recommended route for beginners and families is climbing Mt. Mitake (御岳山) by cable car first, and heading to Mt. Ohdake via Okumitake (奥御岳).

You need to walk or take a bus from JR Mitake station (御嶽駅) heading to the starting point of the cable car which is Takimoto station (滝本駅). There are shops and restaurants at the end of the cable car, Mitakedaira (御岳平). You can enjoy the feeling of sightseeing around there.

You need to head to Nagaodaira (長尾平) which leads to Okumitake (奥御岳) through the mountain trail beside Musashi-mitake shrine located on the summit of Mt. Mitake.

Actually there are 3 ways to get Akuba pass (芥場峠) from Nagaodaira (長尾平), and each route has a lot of highlights.

Right side of the branch: This is the route via Okunoin (奥ノ院) and Mt. Nabewari (鍋割山), and the highlight there is 350 years old Tengu stool cedar (天狗の腰掛け杉). There is a chain on the mountain road on the way, so be careful when walking.

Middle of the branch: This is the most shortcut of the 3 ways. There are no dangerous spots on the mountain trail, and it’s not so difficult route. You can walk hearing wild bird voice, enjoying to see wild grasses, and eventually you will see the beautiful Ayahiro waterfall (綾広の滝).

 

Left side of the branch: This route is called “Rock garden”, and as the name suggests, it’s surrounded by mossy rock and mountain streams. You can enjoy the cool and fresh air and the sound of murmuring. This is recommended for beginners too, but be careful not to slip on the moss.

Route #2: Ohdake Limestone-cave (大岳鍾乳洞) – Ohtaki (大滝) – Shirakura (白倉)

This route is also recommended for beginners. It starts from JR Musashi-itsukaichi station (武蔵五日市駅) that is located at the east side of Mt. Ohdake. And it goes through the popular tourist spot, Ohdake limestone-cave (大岳鍾乳洞).
You can take the bus from JR Musashi-itsukaichi station to get the entrance of Ohdake limestone-cave. Admission fee is required for the cave, but it would make you feel like an explorer.

After passing the cave, there will be the trail. The road along the river is not so difficult to walk, and you can enjoy varied scenes. After passing Ohtaki (大滝) which is almost halfway after getting off the bus, the road becomes a steep uphill. You need to proceed in the direction of Mazukari ridge (馬頭刈尾根) on the south side and head to Fujimidai (富士見台), the confluence with other courses.

The area of Fujimidai and Shirakura (白倉) junction beyond that is the spectacular spot where you can see Mt. Fuji on a clear day. Because there is a bench, please take a seat and take a time to relax there.

By the way, Shirakura bus stop which is the same name as the junction above, is totally different place from the junction. Shirakura bus stop is actually located at Hinohara roadside going south in the direction of the foot of the mountain. There is another route to get Mt. Ohdake by taking bus from JR Musashi-itsukaichi to Shirakura bus stop, then start climbing from the bus stop.

Route #3: The Entrance of Ohdake Limestone-cave (大岳鍾乳洞) – Sarugi Ridge (サルギ尾根) – Akuba Pass (芥場峠)

There is another route starting from the bus stop of the entrance of Ohdake Limestone-cave. You need to proceed the trailhead located in the back of Yozawa shrine where you just get off the bus. This route is along the Sarugi ridge and going through Mt. Takaiwa (高岩山) and Mt. Kamitakaiwa (上高岩山).

This is probably not suitable route for beginners because you will face the road with a large height difference and very rocky road.

Observatory on the summit of Mt. Takaiwa and Mt. Kamitakaiwa is, by the way, the best spot for viewing Mt. Mitake and Mt. Hinode.

After enjoying the view of Mt. Kamitakaiwa, you need to go out to the Akuba pass going through a gentle downhill forest road. This is the point where you meet the hiker from the direction of Mt. Mitake.

Route #4: Gundo (軍道) – Mt. Mazukari (馬頭刈山) – Mt. Tsuruashi (鶴脚山) – Tsuzura Rock (つづら岩)

The 4th route is climbing course that runs vertically through Mt. Mazukari (馬頭刈山) and Mt. Tsuruashi (鶴脚山) that are located in the southeast of Mt. Ohdake. In order to enter the mountain trail of Mt. Mazukari, you need to take the bus from JR Musashi-itsukaichi station, and get off at Gundo (軍道) bus stop which is one stop before Ohdake limestone-cave.

Although the mountain trail of Mt. Mazukari is a very bumpy road, it’s not very difficult route. So this is recommended for beginners who has enough energy. The view from the summit of Mt. Mazukari is amazing, and you can see pretty Mt. Fuji so clear. Actually it’s selected as Top 100 views of Mt. Fuji in Kanto region.

By the way, this route is often used as downhill roads from Mt. Ohdake. So be careful not starting climbing at a time when people tend to go down the mountain. If you proceed Mazukari ridge, you will arrive at Mt. Tsuruashi. After passing Mt. Tsuruashi, there will be Tsuzura rock which is the spot for doing rock‐climbing.

Route #5: Konpira Ridge (金毘羅尾根) – Mt. Hinode (日の出山) – Mt. Mitake (御岳山)

The 5th route that via Mt. Hinode (日の出山) located in the east side of Mt. Mitake is also recommended as a downhill route. The climbing roads of Mt. Hinode is paved road, and popular way among beginners. The summit of Mt. Hinode is great spot that you can not only view the mountains in Okutama area but also overlooking the skyscrapers of Tokyo.

Route #6: Hatonosu Station (鳩ノ巣駅) – Ohnara Pass (大楢峠) – Mt. Mitake (御岳山) – Akuba Pass (芥場峠)

The main way to climb Mt. Ohdake from the north side is directions via Mt. Mitake. There is actually a back channel that you don’t have to take a cable car, but start climbing from JR Hatonosu station (鳩ノ巣駅). It’s very convenient to use wide parking lot around the station.

Although this route is another choice for you, it’s usually used as downhill road from Mt. Mitake. So be careful not starting climbing at a time when people tend to go down the mountain.

There are some rocky areas to get Ohnara pass (大楢峠), but this route is not very difficult overall. You will see the road that branches in 3 directions. The middle path and the left path leads to Mt. Ohdake, but the left path is much more easier to get there since the middle path is really rough road.

Route #7: Okutama Station (奥多摩駅) – Nokogiri Ridge (鋸尾根) – Mt. Nokogiri (鋸山)

The way to climb Mt. Ohdake from northwest side is directions via Mt. Nokogiri (鋸山) departing from JR Okutama station (奥多摩駅). You need to walk along the Nokogiri ridge (鋸尾根). Although the road is almost straight, and it’s not so long walk, you need to be careful watching your step since it has many areas with exposed chains and roots.

After departing Okutama station, you will soon face very long stone steps at Atago shrine. This steep stone steps are 187 steps in total. You shouldn’t consume all of your energy here, so please take a rest at the shrine after climbing all of them.

After crossing Mt. Nokogiri, you need to pass through Tobano rock mountain along the ridge of a wooded area to get Mt. Ohdake.

Basic Information of Mt. Ohdake

Mount Ohdake 大岳山
・Address: Hinohara village・Okutama town, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo, Japan
・Tel: 0428-83-2295 (Tourism department)

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