Daisen-Oki National Park — Attraction in Kofu

Majestic Mountain Worth the Climb – For All Ages!

A stunning mountain to conquer—perfect for both amateur and experienced mountaineers… and even kids! I saw toddlers as young as 4 or 5 hiking up and down the trail with their families, which was both surprising and inspiring.

Tip: If your knees are on the weaker side, I highly recommend using two hiking sticks for support—especially for the descent. The trails are made up of steep, packed soil and gravel, so expect some muscle soreness and watch your step. Slipping on the way down is not uncommon, so please wear proper hiking shoes with good grip and ankle support.

Bring snacks and plenty of drinks—the hut at the peak does sell snacks, instant noodles, and drinks, but prices are on the higher side.

Toilets at the peak are... well, a bit smelly. I even saw human poop along the trail on my way down (seriously!). It really disrupted the fresh mountain air, and bugs were all over it. Please, for the sake of everyone’s experience, follow proper hiking etiquette—especially for "number one and number two."

The views are absolutely breathtaking. Sometimes, clouds roll in and surround the peak—it genuinely feels like you're standing inside a dream.

Parking is free, but if you're a beginner or not in great shape, I suggest staying overnight nearby. The muscle pain hits hard...

Mt. Daisen is my single favorite day-trip mountain in Japan. It is not only very accessible, but in less than 3 hours of leisurely hiking (I saw kids as young as 3 and elderly people as well) you can reach the peak area's boardwalk for some amazing views of the Japanese Sea in the distance. I even saw a tanuki up there! This mountain has such incredible views without needing to hike for an entire day to see them. The small town and Daisen Temple at the base of the mountain are also quite beautiful, and I recommend a newish looking gift shop and cafe that has a lot of local products for sale. The hike has two routes to reach the peak, and the one that is more often taken has a parking lot right at the start, though I parked at the impossible to miss large parking lot in front of the Daisen...

I believe very few foreign travelers choose a trip in here. Scenic driving and multiple stops available on the way here. There is a iconic Daisen (大山) milk nearby. Choose accommodation in town for at least a night. You won't regret. If you got lost on where to go in Kyoto or Tokyo. Try destinations only local people will consider and even young local people have limited knowledge...