Mount Tanzawa: Hiking Guide, A Scenic Day Trip from Tokyo
Tucked away in Kanagawa Prefecture, just a couple of hours from Tokyo, Mount Tanzawa (丹沢山) stands at 1,567 meters and offers one of the best wilderness escapes in the Kanto region. It’s part of the Tanzawa-Ōyama Quasi-National Park, known for its rich forests, sweeping ridges, and stunning views of Mount Fuji and Tokyo Bay. For hikers seeking something wilder than Mt. Takao but still within a day’s reach from the city, Tanzawa is an unbeatable choice.
What makes Mount Tanzawa Unique?
Mount Tanzawa is a true Hyakumeizan (One of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains), admired for its natural beauty and unspoiled trails. Its rugged ridgelines, wildlife, and panoramic viewpoints make it a favorite among seasoned hikers. Unlike heavily touristed mountains, Tanzawa maintains a peaceful, authentic atmosphere. A place where you can truly disconnect and immerse in nature. It’s also an essential watershed for the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, with forests that protect the region’s water resources, making it both an ecological and spiritual treasure.
Trail of Tanzawa mountains.
When Is the Best Time to Visit?
You can hike all year round but the best seasons are Spring (April – May) which has comfortable temperatures and vibrant greenery and Autumn (October – November) where peak foliage season is considered as the most scenic time of year.
When I visited Mount Tanzawa it was September 28, 2025 and I got caught up with bad weather during the hike.
Mount Tanzawa peak marker. Elevation is 1567 meters.
The Hiking Trails
(Okura-Tonodake-Tanzawa Loop) The most popular route. Famous Tonodake Sanso hut, panoramic ridges, and quiet forest paths. The distance is approximately 18km so it is considered moderate to hard to hike.
(Yabitsu Pass-Oyama-Tanzawa) Scenic ridge walk with views of Sagami Bay; chance to visit Oyama Afuri Shrine. The distance is approximately 15km and can be classified as moderate hike.
(Okura-Tonodake-Tanzawa-Hiru Loop) Exhausting but fulfilling if you just do it in one day. In a normal condition it is done as a multi-day traverse.
Among the 3 options. I did the (Okura-Tonodake-Tanzawa-Hiru Loop) in just 9 hours round trip. I always want to push myself to my limits. But I wouldn't recommend you to do it if you are not physically and mentally prepared.
Getting there from Tokyo
It’s pretty straight forward and here it is:
Take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station → Shibusawa Station
From Shibusawa, ride the Kanagawa Chuo Bus bound for Okura (大倉)
The Okura Trailhead starts right at the bus stop.
5 to 10 minutes walk from the bus drop off you will reach this trailhead.
My Sample Day trip Itinerary
Starting from Shinjuku and vice versa.
Final Thoughts
Mount Tanzawa combines accessibility with authentic wilderness. It’s less developed than other Tokyo-area mountains, offering solitude, wildlife encounters, and breathtaking Fuji vistas. Whether you go for a challenging day hike or an overnight ridge traverse, Tanzawa delivers a memorable adventure proof that Tokyo’s backyard hides some of Japan’s best hiking experiences.
Until the next adventure!
CPTMOW
Jeric (Moses)
Where should we go NEXT?
Where should we go NEXT?
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