🗺️ Mount Tsukuba筑波山

Located in the northeastern part of the Kanto Plain, Mount Tsukuba consists of two peaks: Mount Nantai (elevation 871 meters) and Mount Nyotai (elevation 877 meters). It is one of Japan's 100 famous mountains and has long been regarded as a sacred site, deeply revered by the local people. The worship hall of Tsukuba Shrine is situated at an elevation of about 270 meters on the southern slope of the mountain. One of the attractions of Mount Tsukuba is its relatively easy hiking trails. Starting from Tsukuba Shrine, there are a total of six well-maintained hiking routes. Additionally, visitors can take the cable car to Mount Nantai and the aerial tramway to Mount Nyotai, which reach near the summit in about 6 to 8 minutes; from there, a further 10 to 15 minutes of walking on the hiking trails will lead to the summits of both mountains. Mount Tsukuba is also known for its stunning scenery that changes with the time of day, earning it the nickname "Purple Peak." The mountain roads offer many beautiful sights worth seeing, including plum blossoms, katakuri flowers, azaleas, and seasonal flowers, as well as autumn foliage, unique rocks, and giant boulders that captivate visitors. Under the fame of this sacred peak, it has recently become a well-known energy spot, attracting numerous tourists. The most famous local products of Mount Tsukuba include the medicinal ointment "Toad Oil," which has been passed down since the Edo period, and the hearty "Tsukuba Udon," made with local chicken and vegetables. There is also a hot spring area in the middle of Mount Tsukuba, which is perfect for relaxing after a hike.

There are smoother rocky areas and steep slopes, so please prepare sufficient equipment when climbing. Even when using the mountain cable car and aerial tramway, it is necessary to wear non-slip hiking shoes. At an altitude of 270 meters, there is the Tsukuba Shrine's worship hall, where the main hall at the summit of Mount Nantai enshrines Izanagi no Mikoto, and the main hall at the summit of Mount Nyoho enshrines Izanami no Mikoto. On the hiking trail of Mount Nyoho, there are ten noteworthy giant rocks and strange stones, each named as follows: "Benkei's Seven Returns," "Takamanohara," "Mother Stone," "Yin-Yang Stone," "Kuniwari Stone," "Departure and Arrival Stone," "Urami Daikoku," "Hokuto Rock," "Byobu Rock," and "Great Buddha Rock." The summits of Mount Nantai and Mount Nyoho are connected by a hiking trail that takes about 20 minutes to walk. There are six hiking trails: Mikuhara Route, Mukaiba Route, Shirakumo Bridge Route, Tachiwaki Route, Nature Research Route, and Summit Route. *For more details, please refer to the official website.