Hiking Tateyama in Shizuoka

Enjoy glorious views on a leisurely hike on Tateyama

Lester Goh Jul 06, 2015 - 2 min read

<p>The entrance tori to Kanzanji. The entrance is unassuming, but it bellies a rich hiking adventure waiting to be discovered.</p>

<p>The Enmusubi Jizo. Many couples visit in hopes of receiving blessings for a love that will last forever.</p>

<p>The lush greenery along the way to the statue of Kannon and the Ana-Daishi will have you wondering if you are still on temple grounds.</p>

<p>Little treasures, such as this precious neko, can be found on your hike on Tateyama. He was in the previous photo too! Did you spot him?</p>

<p>Following the red flags, you will first reach the Ana-Daishi, literallly the 'Master In The Cave'.</p>

<p>And then the 16-meter tall Kannon statue! The majestic statue is built on the topmost point on Tateyama, and was constructed at this size so that Kannon may oversea the entire Kanzanji onsen area.</p>

<p>The footpaths along Tateyama are well maintained, ensuring your safety, yet do not feel overly obstructive into nature.</p>

<p>Small Jizo statues like this spot the entire Tateyama, and you'll come across one or two every few minutes.</p>

<p>Tateyama features many scenic spots from which you may glean marvellous views of Lake Hamana.</p>

<p>Like down these steps, onto the beach...</p>

<p>On up to this observation deck for a unobstructed view of the entire lake.</p>

<p>Or basically anywhere along the trail.</p>

<p>Another small, but unneglected jizo sits quietly in the shade of the trees.</p>

<p>This is the Fujimi-Iwa, the "Mt. Fuji Viewing Rock". On clear days, if you're lucky, you can see Mt. Fuji from here.</p>

<p>I wasn't that lucky... it seems. The view is still glorious, regardless.</p>

Surrounded by the beautiful Lake Hamana in almost all directions, a hike on Tateyama ensures glorious views of the lake as you circle the perimeter of the hill. To take advantage of this, wooden observation decks have been built on higher elevations. On the lower reaches stairways and trails lead down towards the few beaches around Tateyama. The most amazing view, however, comes courtesy of the 'Fujimi-Iwa', or the Mt. Fuji Viewing Rock. This naturally-occurring rock outcropping at the topmost point on Tateyama offers an unhindered panorama of the entire lake and as its name suggests, a view of the ever-popular Mt. Fuji if you are lucky.

Located immediately north of the popular Kanzanji Onsen resort area, the slopes of Tateyama are also home to the famous Kanzanji Temple. As such, the hiking trail is popular for the enormous 16-meter tall statue of the Bodhisattva Kannon, and the cave of Ana-Daishi. Small statues of various unnamed jizo also dot the hill infrequently, further adding a mysterious charm as you hike along Tateyama.

Tateyama is a 42 minute bus ride on the local Entetsu bus No.30 from JR Hamamatsu Station. Alighting at the bus stop 'Ginko-mae', Tateyama and Kanzanji Temple is a 5-minute walk down a long and unbending street, so straight that you can see the Kanzanji Temple's entrance tori even from the bus stop.

Lester Goh @lester.goh

Singaporean architect living in Tokyo. When not busy designing fancy buildings or restoring Akiya houses, Lester enjoys travelling and exploring hidden areas in Japan.