Guests staying at Togura Kamiyamada Onsen often inquire about nearby hiking options. We usually suggest the 30-minute walk up to Arato-Jo, the mountaintop fortress on the castle mount behind the town. For a more challenging climb, the approximately two hour hike to the top of 1,094 meter tall Gorigamine offers a panoramic view of the Chikuma River valley and the Northern Japanese Alps in the distance.
1-Hour Loop Hike to Old Manji Pass - Hachioji Mountain Viewpoints - Sarashina Shrine
Right in the onsen town’s own backyard is this medium-length 1 hour loop that features wooded trails, an ancient pass, spectacular viewpoints and a variety of shrines.
Here’s a photo log of the course.
Starting Point: Access Road to Aratosawa Campground (elev. 370m)Trailhead for the ancient walking path to Manji Pass. This is part of the old road dating back to the Edo Period and before that connected Zenkoji Temple (Nagano) and Kita-Muki Kannon Temple (Ueda).Strenuous hike up to the passManji Pass (elev. 490m) between Kamiyamada to the south and Wakamiya to the north.Crossroads: Return down to the trailhead and Yakushi Shrine 薬師堂; Side road to the top of Hachioji Mountain 八王子山; Continuation of the ancient path down to Wakamiya (and on to Zenkoji) 若宮・善光寺; Forest road looping down to Sarashina Shrine 佐良志奈神社 ←recommended.Manji Pass also marks the start of the hiking trail to the top of Mt. Kamuriki (elev. 1252m, takes 3-1/2 hours — proper gear and preparation required)Hachioji Mountain peak (elev. 510m — not much of a view from the summit so not recommended)Leisurely forest road towards Sarashina ShrinePeek-a-boo views of the Zenkoji Plain to the northY in the Road: Left down towards Sarashina Shrine; Right up to Hachioji Shrine and the Upper ViewpointUpper Viewpoint (elev. 430m) vista of Togura Kamiyamada Onsen and the Chikuma RiverHachioji ShrineLower Viewpoint (elev. 410m) vista also overlooking Togura KamiyamadaLandmark tree at the Lower Viewpoint. During the Meiji Era a more gradual path was built from Kamiyamada crossing Hachioji Mountain near here making this the “New” Manji Pass. From here, follow the road down to Sarashina ShrineSarashina Shrine and its sumo ring
From Sarashina Shrine you can return to the onsen area by going out to the main street and turning right. The entire loop including the trek up to Old Manji Pass, to Hachioji Shrine and the Upper & Lower Viewpoints, down to Sarashina Shrine and back takes approximately 1 hour and can be walked in sneakers (hiking boots not needed).
Manji Pass - Hachioji - Sarashina Loop Hike: wonderful woodland setting, scenic views and mystical shrines. It’s a perfect trail to enjoy the outdoors during a stay here at Togura Kamiyamada Onsen.
