I climbed Mt Kurobi, the highest peak of Mt Akagi, with a friend on 2 November 2025.
We drove there and started from the Kurobisan trailhead. The whole hike took us about three hours up and down.
It wasn’t a long hike, but it was steeper than I’d expected.
The Climb
The trail gets steep pretty quickly, with plenty of rocks and stairs. My legs started feeling it much earlier than I’d expected.
We stopped several times, sometimes for a longer break, before carrying on.
The trail is narrow in places too, so hikers going in opposite directions occasionally have to make room for each other. I didn’t mind that. If anything, it gave me another excuse to stop for a moment.
The Views Higher Up
As we got higher, the scenery began to open up.
There seemed to be mountains everywhere I looked, with ridge after ridge stretching into the distance.
We were there in early November, so there were still autumn colours across the mountains below us, although many of the trees higher up had already lost their leaves.
There’s also a viewpoint called Fujimidai along the route. We couldn’t see Mt Fuji that day, but the views we did get were already good enough.
Reaching Mt Kurobi
By the time I reached the top, my legs had definitely had enough of the stairs.
But the view was worth the effort.
I noticed quite a mix of people on the trail too. We passed groups of older hikers, and I saw children as well.
For someone getting into hiking, I think this would be a good mountain to build some experience on. The climb is steep enough to be tiring, but you can take your time and stop when you need to.
Coming Back Down
The descent needed a bit more concentration.
There were loose rocks, exposed roots and uneven sections where I didn’t want to put a foot wrong and twist an ankle.
My knees were fine, but I came down carefully rather than rushing.
Would I Hike It Again?
Probably not.
Not because I didn’t enjoy it. The views were brilliant, and for a roughly three-hour hike, there’s plenty to see.
I’ve simply become used to longer hikes, so it felt a little short for me.
For someone newer to hiking, though, I think that’s actually one of its strengths. You get a steep climb, tired legs and some cracking views without spending most of the day on the mountain.
For me, once was enough.
Location & Official Information
Mt Kurobi is the highest peak of Mt Akagi in Gunma Prefecture, reaching 1,828 metres. I started from the Kurobisan trailhead and travelled there by car.
If you’re planning your own hike, check the official Mt Akagi trekking information for current trail, access and seasonal information before setting off.
Location: Kurobisan Trailhead, Mt Akagi, Maebashi, Gunma
Official hiking information: Mt Akagi Trekking Map
