I climbed Mt Ryokami with a friend on 15 November, and the thing I remember most isn’t actually the chain sections.
It’s how bloody long the climb felt.
The trail just seemed to keep going uphill. Sometimes steep, sometimes gentler, but still uphill. More than once, my friend and I thought, “Surely we’re nearly there now,” only to find another sign telling us we still had further to go.
We eventually reached the summit after roughly three hours. My legs were knackered, but the view of layer after layer of mountains stretching towards the horizon made the climb worth it.
I couldn’t see Mt Fuji that day. But honestly, the mountain view was good enough without it.
Quick Facts About My Mt Ryokami Hike
- Date: 15 November
- Who I went with: A friend
- How we got there: By car
- Time: About five hours return
- My impression: Better suited to experienced or reasonably fit hikers than complete beginners
- What stood out: The long uphill sections, chain-assisted climbs and the view from the summit
These are based on my own hike rather than what everyone should expect. Your hiking time will obviously depend on your pace, fitness and trail conditions.
How I Got There
My friend and I drove to the trailhead.
I remember parking around the Hinata-Ōya trailhead area, although I don’t remember the exact car park well enough to recommend a specific one.
If you’re planning your own hike, I’d check the latest access and trail information before setting off rather than relying on my memory from this trip.
The Climb Begins
The trail starts through the forest, and for a while the scenery doesn’t change all that much.
What I remember much more clearly is the climbing.
It just kept going.
Sometimes the slope was steep. Sometimes it became gentler. But it felt like we were constantly gaining elevation, and that gradually wore my legs down.
The forest scenery didn’t change much either, so after a while the climb started to feel repetitive.
More than once, my friend and I thought we must be getting close to the summit.
Then we’d see another sign telling us there was still quite a bit left.
“What? Surely we’ve walked further than that.”
That happened more than once.
A Little Encouragement Along the Way
At one point, we came across a small statue beside the trail.
By that stage, I was tired enough to imagine it telling us:
“Don’t look back. Just keep going.”
So we did.
Eventually, we reached the mountain hut and stopped for a break.
My legs definitely appreciated it.
The Chain Sections Were Actually Fun
After that, we started reaching the chain-assisted sections.
You definitely need to pay attention here. I wouldn’t mess around on them or treat them casually.
But surprisingly, I actually enjoyed them.
After such a long and repetitive uphill climb, the chains gave me something different to do. They almost felt like a change of pace rather than the worst part of the hike.
My legs were already getting tired, so pulling myself further upwards certainly wasn’t easy.
Mentally, though, I found the chain sections quite refreshing.
They broke up the monotony.
Surely This Is the Summit?
After another steep push, a torii gate finally came into view.
“This has to be it.”
Nope.
There was still another 0.6 km to go.
My friend and I had already had this experience several times on the way up — thinking we’d surely made more progress, then seeing another sign telling us otherwise.
At that point, 0.8 km felt much longer than 0.8 km.
So we kept going.
More climbing.
More tired legs.
And eventually, finally, we reached the summit.
The View Made It Worth It
It took us roughly three hours to reach the top.
And this was where the hike finally gave us something completely different from the long forest climb.
The trees opened up and mountain ridges seemed to overlap one behind another, stretching all the way towards the horizon.
I couldn’t see Mt Fuji that day.
But I didn’t really care.
After roughly three hours of almost constant climbing, standing there and looking across those mountains felt bloody good.
That was easily my favourite part of the hike.
Heading Back Down
Of course, reaching the summit only meant we’d finished half the hike.
We still had to get back down.
My knees began to ache on the return, so I picked up a sturdy fallen branch and used it like a trekking pole.
Not exactly professional hiking equipment, but it did the job.
We took our time on the descent, particularly where roots and fallen leaves made the trail slippery.
Eventually, we made it back after about five hours of hiking in total.
My legs were done.
Would I Recommend Mt Ryokami?
Yes — but personally, I wouldn’t recommend it to a complete beginner.
Interestingly, it wasn’t the chain sections that made me think that. I actually enjoyed those.
It was the length of the climb.
You’re gaining elevation for what feels like a very long time. Sometimes it’s steep, sometimes it’s gentler, and just when you think you must be getting close, there’s still more climbing waiting for you.
By the time you reach the later sections, your legs have already done a lot of work — and then you still have the chain-assisted sections and the descent to deal with.
If you exercise regularly and have a reasonable level of fitness, though, I think Mt Ryokami is a great mountain to try.
I’d start early and give yourself plenty of time. You really don’t want to be coming down those trails after dark.
We took about five hours in total, and I was shattered by the end.
But I’d do it again for that view.
Before You Go
My hike describes what Mt Ryokami was like when I climbed it, not the current condition of the trail.
Mountain conditions, access and restrictions can change, so check the latest official information before you go.
Latest Mt Ryokami trail and safety information — Saitama Prefecture
About five hours, a long climb that seemed to go on forever, five or six chain sections, and a cheeky false summit — but that final many-layered panorama made every step worth it. I was shattered and happy.
- Difficulty: Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it to complete beginners
- Time: About 5 hours for us
- Why go: A challenging climb, fun chain sections and brilliant mountain views
What I Found Useful on Mt Ryokami
- Grippy hiking boots
- Light gloves for the chain sections
- Plenty of water and snacks
- Trekking poles could be useful for the descent
I didn’t actually bring trekking poles. When my knees started aching on the way down, I picked up a sturdy fallen branch and used that instead. It wasn’t exactly professional hiking gear, but it did the job.
