Level: Fit Beginner
Time to climb up:50 mins
Time to come down: 40 mins
Hight:330 metres
Level: Fit Beginner
Steps:2639
Hiking boots are necessary on the hiking trails. For the temple area we recommend wearing sports shoes with good grip, even if you are taking the cable car up. If you have knee problems this mountain is probably not a good idea, but if you do decide to go, make sure you are wearing a good knee support and have people with you for if you get into trouble.
Dress in comfortable sweat-wicking clothing. You will be walking up and down a lot of steps.
Steps: On the quarry trails the steps are uneven, worn and sometimes missing. Some of the wooden steps up to veiwpoints were rotten and unstable.
The Shariki Michi Course is the trail that women used to carry stone down from the quarry. Take this course to learn more about the history of the quarry and the people who worked there. The paths have clear signposts in both Japanese and English. You will come to a split in the trail, take the left hand trail up to the observatory and summit before returning back and going on the other trail towards the temple and stone Buddha. You will need to pay ¥700 entrace fee at the Northern gate to enter the temple area.
As an alternative take the Kanto Fureainomichi Course. It is also well sign posted and will eventually bring you to join the Shariki Michi Course. Take the left trail towards the observatory area and the summit, before heading back and taking the other trail to the temple. There is a ¥700 entrance fee to enter the temple area.
For those arriving at the temple course from one of the trails, you will start at the North Entrance. As mentioned abouve, the entrance fee is ¥700. After admiring the beautiful carving, follow the path around and then head up the steps to your left to get pictures at Jikoku Nozoki. Continue along the path to another much longer set of stairs, follow them down to the Buddha. After paying your respects, head towards the pond and temple before heading up to the waterfall and caverns of arhat stone statues.
Shariki Michi Course
Kanto Fureainomichi Course
Activities:
Learn about the quarry
Observatory (our favourite)
Jikoku Nozoki
Waterfall
1500 Arhat
Mount Hodo is accessable by car or train.
The nearest station is Nagatoro Station 長瀞駅 on the Chichibu Main Line 秩父鉄道.
It takes about 2 hours from Shinjuku Station.
Once you have arrived at Nagatoro Station you can take the free shuttle bus to Hodo Ropeway. The bus departs every 15~30 minutes.
There are 2 large car parks close to the Ropeway Entrance, as well as one carpark next to Hodo Shrine.
Parking costs ¥500 for the day
If you don't mind walking a bit further, there are small carparks in the town. They are around ¥200 for the day.
The ropeway runs every 30 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends. The first departure is at 9:40 and the last is at 16:30 (although it runs until 17:20 in warmer seasons).
| Adult (over 12 years) | Oneway: ¥400 | Return: ¥670 |
|---|---|---|
| Child (over 6 years) | Oneway: ¥200 | Return: ¥340 |
| Small Pet (up to 10kg*) | Oneway: ¥260 | Return: ¥520 |
| Adult Disability Card Holders | Oneway: ¥250 | Return: ¥420 |
| Child Disability Card Holders | Oneway: ¥130 | Return: ¥210 |
There are special reduced prices for groups of over 25 people.
*Pets must be put in small carry cases while riding. Carry cases are provided free of charge.
There is one restaurant close to the ropeway station at the summit. It sells the famous Miso Potato, ice-cream and a variety of savoury dishes.
Next to the inner shrine at the summit, there is a small shop run by a sweet elderly lady. She sells a variety of souvenires and photographs.
There are a variety of tasty restaurants on the road leading up to the shrine at the base of the mountain, including the famous shaved ice (kakigori) cafe "Asamireizo".
Ropeway
Toilets
Picnic Area
Restaurants and shops
Level: Beginner
Time to climb up: 30 mins ~ 1 hour
Time to come down: 30 mins
Hight: 497 metres
Elevation change: 347 metres
Level: Beginner
If you are taking the cable car, there is no need to any hiking equipment.
If you wish to take a picnic or packed lunch, take a mat or something to sit on at the summit.
It is possible to hike this mountain in a good pair of sneakers/trainers. However, we recommend hiking shoes if you have them. The trail is well maintained but gravelly. The large stones are easy to slip on or twist your ankle.
Dress in comfortable athletic gear.
Animals: Large wasps
Animals: Bore
Beginners Trail
Intermediate Trail
Activities:
Hodo Shrine
Petting Zoo
We recommend this trail for children and very beginners. The trail takes 40 minutes at a leasurely pace with plenty of benches and stopping points on the way.
For a slightly longer alternative, walk from the station or town to Hodo Shrine. From the shrine walk up the road to the ropeway car park where you can start the beginners trail.
For those who would like a longer walk it is possible to hike from Nogami Station (野上駅) to Nagatoro Station (長瀞駅).
Mount Hodo is accessable by car or train.
The nearest station is Nagatoro Station 長瀞駅 on the Chichibu Main Line 秩父鉄道.
It takes about 2 hours from Shinjuku Station.
Once you have arrived at Nagatoro Station you can take the free shuttle bus to Hodo Ropeway. The bus departs every 15~30 minutes.
There are 2 large car parks close to the Ropeway Entrance, as well as one carpark next to Hodo Shrine.
Parking costs ¥500 for the day
If you don't mind walking a bit further, there are small carparks in the town. They are around ¥200 for the day.
Ropeway
Toilets
Picnic Area
Restaurants and shops
The ropeway runs every 30 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends. The first departure is at 9:40 and the last is at 16:30 (although it runs until 17:20 in warmer seasons).
| Adult (over 12 years) | Oneway: ¥400 | Return: ¥670 |
|---|---|---|
| Child (over 6 years) | Oneway: ¥200 | Return: ¥340 |
| Small Pet (up to 10kg*) | Oneway: ¥260 | Return: ¥520 |
| Adult Disability Card Holders | Oneway: ¥250 | Return: ¥420 |
| Child Disability Card Holders | Oneway: ¥130 | Return: ¥210 |
There are special reduced prices for groups of over 25 people.
*Pets must be put in small carry cases while riding. Carry cases are provided free of charge.
There are toilets at the car park, and at both ends of the ropeway.
There is one restaurant close to the ropeway station at the summit. It sells the famous Miso Potato, ice-cream and a variety of savoury dishes.
Next to the inner shrine at the summit, there is a small shop run by a sweet elderly lady. She sells a variety of souvenires and photographs.
There are a variety of delicious restaurants on the road leading up to the shrine at the base of the mountain. The most famous is the shaved ice cafe "Asamireizo".