Mt. Magaridake
Mt. Magaridake (or simply Magaridake), rising to an elevation of 1,642 meters, marks the boundary between Kai City and Hokuto City in Yamanashi Prefecture. When viewed from the Kofu Basin, the mountain's pointed shape resembles a crow's beak or a traditional eboshi hat. Access to this mountain is made easy by a fully paved forest road leading to Kannon Pass, a saddle between Magaridake and Kanagatake. From Kannon Pass, roads also lead to Masutomi Onsen and Kanayamadaira.
Magaridake is a mountain rich in folklore. One such tale is of a hunter named Sonzaemon, who became a mountain deity and is said to have thrown large rocks from the summit. Near the top, "Memai Rock" offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surroundings.
The area features a volcanic group that includes Kayagatake, Kanagatake, Kurofuji, and Tachiokayama, forming a horseshoe shape. In the center lies the Hirami Castle settlement area, which during the Sengoku period served as a guarded location by a group of samurai warriors known as Ontake-shu. The traverse paths offer a tranquil and enjoyable hiking experience.
For hikers, there are routes accessible by bus from JR Chuo Main Line Kofu Station to Kiyokawa or to Shosenkyo, disembarking at Miyazawa Bridge, from where you can walk the forest road to Kannon Pass. There is parking available for several cars at the pass. The steep climb from there to the summit takes about 2 hours from the bus terminal to Kannon Pass and approximately 30 minutes from the pass to Magaridake. It is also possible to traverse from Magaridake towards Kurofuji and Tachiokayama.
*Before heading out on a hike, make sure to stay updated with the latest information on trails and other important details.