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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Chugoku
Mount Daisen
# 125   of 160 destinations
in our travel guide

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Kengamine Peak viewed from Misen Peak

Mount Daisen (大山, Daisen) is a large, volcanic mountain that rises up from sea level to dominate the terrain of western Tottori Prefecture. Part of Daisen-Oki National Park, the 1729 meter high mountain is the tallest in the Chugoku Region and is included on the list of Japan's 100 famous mountains. Daisen has not erupted is several thousand years.

As the most prominent mountain far and wide, Daisen has long been a spiritual icon and a center of mountain worship. Daisenji Temple, whose buildings are spread out along the wooded slope and are connected by mountain trails, was built near the base of the mountain and is an important Buddhist temple. Additionally, the Ogamiyama Shrine is found further up the trail above the temple.

Daisenji Temple

Daisenji Temple is also the trailhead of the popular climb up Mount Daisen. The top of the mountain is made up of a ridge with several peaks, the highest of which, Kengamine Peak (1729 m), lies along an unstable knife's edge ridge that has been closed since an earthquake eroded the trail in 2000. Instead hikers can climb as far as Misen Peak (1709 m) which lies just a few hundered meters away.

The trail to Misen Peak is about four kilometers long and takes a strenuous three hours to climb as it is mostly made up of steep stairs. The first section of the trail leads through thick beech forests until hikers are eventually rewarded by spectacular views over the surrounding landscape about half way up the mountain. The last few hundred meters of the trail lead along a series of wooden boardwalks set above the alpine plants and grasses near the summit.

Views from Daisen in direction of Yonago City

A separate network of hiking trails connects Daisenji Temple with multiple lower peaks on the northeastern side of Daisen. The hiking courses vary in length and difficulty level, and some of them are not suitable for beginners. The mountain is typically covered by snow from late November to late April and provides some of western Japan's best ski slopes.

Around late October and early November, the maple and beech forests that cover the mountain slopes turn brilliant shades of autumn colors. One of the best places to view the leaves is from a parking lot at Kagikake-toge Pass south of the mountain (not reachable by public transportation).

The southern face of Mount Daisen seen from the Kagikake-toge Pass

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How to get there
Travel to Mount Daisen leads via Yonago, Tottori's second largest and westernmost city, near Matsue. There are infrequent buses from Yonago Station (one hour, 700 yen) or from Daisen-guchi Station (30 minutes, 470 yen) to Daisenji Temple. Daisen-guchi and Yonago Stations are connected with each other by the JR Sanin Line (20 minutes, 230 yen, one or two departures per hour).

How to travel between Yonago and Tokyo

By air

ANA operates multiple flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Yonago Airport. Flight time is 75 minutes. The regular one way fare is about 32,000 yen; however, discount tickets are usually available for between 14,000 to 24,000 yen. With an air pass you can fly for even less. Yonago Airport is a 25 minute bus ride from Yonago Station (570 yen).

By JR daytime trains

Take the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen from Tokyo to Okayama (200 minutes by Nozomi, 240 minutes by Hikari, multiple trains per hour) and transfer to a JR Yakumo limited express train to Yonago (2 hours, one train per hour). The one way fare is about 19,000 yen, and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass if using Hikari trains between Tokyo and Okayama.

By JR night trains

The "Sunrise Izumo" night train operates daily between Tokyo and Izumo, stopping along the way at Yonago. The one way fare is around 15,000 yen for a "nobi nobi" compartment (a small carpeted compartment to lie down) or 20,000 yen for regular berths. The trip is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass if using "nobi nobi" compartments, but requires a supplement of around 9500 yen if using regular berths. Note that the "nobi nobi" compartments are popular and often book out.

By highway bus

Nihon Kotsu and Keikyu Bus operate overnight buses between Tokyo (Shinagawa Bus Terminal) and Yonago Station. The one way journey takes about 10.5 hours and costs 11,200 yen. The route is also served by discount bus companies, such as Willer Express, with tickets available from 6500 yen.

Google Map

Hours and Fees
Daisenji Temple
Hours:9:00 to 16:00
Closed:No closing days
Admission: 300 yen

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User Ratings
Ratings for Mount Daisen:
japan-guide.com Rating:
  interesting  
User Rating (by 27 users):
70/100
  recommended

Best rated destinations (out of 148):
130.  Udo Shrine   72/100
131.  Shimabara Peninsula   72/100
132.  Lake Shikotsu   71/100
133.  Zao   71/100
134.  Fukui   70/100
135.  Mount Daisen   70/100
136.  Akita   70/100
137.  Tokushima   69/100
138.  Kinugawa Onsen   69/100
139.  Kushiro Marshlands   68/100
Most visited destinations (out of 160):
121.  Kurokawa Onsen   87
122.  Miyako Island   81
123.  Kitakyushu   81
124.  Koka   78
125.  Shimokita Hanto   77
126.  Mount Daisen   77
127.  Onuma Park   75
128.  Nasu-Shiobara   75
129.  Dewa Sanzan   73
130.  Rishiri and Rebun   69

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English Links
Yonago Airport
Official English website.

Japanese Links
Nihon Kotsu
Official website of the local bus operator.
Yonago Airport
Official website.

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