Koboyama or Mt. Kobo is a small mountain in Kanagawa Prefecture. If you’re looking for a day hike from Tokyo that’s geared toward beginners, this is a perfect fit. The trail is mostly a gradual incline and the 7km is enough to make you sweat, but not so much as run out of breath. You can enjoy seasonal views, too.
Koboyama (Mt Kobo) Hiking Information
Mountain Name: Koboyama, Mt Kobo (弘法山、こうぼうやま)
Location: Kanagawa
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Average Hiking Time: 2 hrs 40 mins
Total Hiking Distance: 7 km
Average Incline: 2.3°
Summit Altitude: 235 meters
Best Season: Late Mach to Early April for Yoshino cherry blossoms, mid-June to early July for hydrangeas, late July to mid-August for golden-rayed lilies, and mid-November to mid-December for fall foliage
Koboyama is the name of one of the three peaks in the same area, Gongenyama and Asamayama being the other. The three collectively form Koboyama Park.
Koboyama Hiking Trail
Date Visited: November 2, 2019
Hadano Station
The easiest way to access the trail is from Hadano Station of the Odakyu Line. The buildings will gradually make way for the trees, and you will pass a river as you make your way to the trail head.
Trailhead
The trail is marked with a large wooden sign. Unlike more popular hiking trails in Kanto, this one doesn’t come with English. The trail is straightforward, but it’s a good thing to commit the kanji to memory.
Asamayama
Asamaya Rest Stop Toilets
The forest trail is mostly a gentle slope. You will find thin logs forming steps in some areas. There’s a rest stop when you reach Asamayayama, also marked with a wooden sign. The toilets are fashioned to blend with nature, too.
Gogenyama
A beautiful observation deck serves as Gongenyama’s landmark. A cross between a gazebo and a pagoda, the deck overlooks Sagami Bay and Enoshima. You can see Mt. Fuji from here on a clear day, and the view is said to be among the top 100 views of Mt. Fuji in the Kanto region.
Koboyama
Heading on to Koboyama, you will find an old bell that dates back to 1757. It was first placed to announce the time to residents. The original bell was damaged by fire and the current one in place is from 1801.
You will also find an ancient well named Chichi no Ido, which translates to “Well of the Breast.” This well was said to draw water that was cloudy and smelled like milk. People believed that drinking water from this well will help mothers produce more milk.
You will also find Daishido, a Buddhist altar enshrining a wooden statue of Kobo Daishi. The mountain is named after him.
Azumayama
The trail continues to Azumayama, but there aren’t any points of interests here other than the trail.
Kobo no Satoyu Spa
Finish your hike at Kobo no Satoyu Spa and give those sore muscles a good soak.
