Lying along the borders of Yamagata, Niigata, and Fukushima Prefectures, Iide-san is a mountain famous for mountain worship since ancient times. Although lower than Oasahi-dake, the other 100 Famous Mountain of Japan along the Iide Renpo, Iide-san is a very popular destination for its alpine vegetation including flower fields, and the sheer depth into nature at which one can go on the mountain. These are major pulling factors for those aiming to hike the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan.

Iide-san is a particularly difficult mountain to reach requiring technical skill and endurance. No matter which trail you take, a day hike on Iide-san is all but impossible. You will need to stay somewhere on the mountain. The top of the ridge along Mikuni-dake, Iide-san, and Onishi-dake, and the summit of Iide-san, are in Fukushima prefecture.

Tengudaira Trail (10 to 16 hours one-way)

The Tengudaira Trailhead in Oguni Town has two main trails starting from Iide Sanso mountain lodge. First is the trail that goes via Kitamata-dake on either the Marumori or the Kashigawa ridges. Second is the direct route along the Daigura ridge. For those going via Kitamata-dake, there are emergency huts on each of the Mon’nai-dake, Kitamata-dake, and Onishi-dake summits. However, there are no huts along the Daigura ridge. This means this trail is only suitable for advanced hikers.

There is a primeval beech forest surrounding Iide Sanso, which was also Japan’s first ‘forest therapy’ base.

Access to the trailhead is on a paved road. There is enough space for about 11 cars at the trailhead. 370m from the trailhead on an unpaved road there is space for about 30 cars. There is a public toilet open 24 hours about 400m in front of Iide Sanso.

Dainichisugi Trail (10 hours one way)

The Dainichisugi Trailhead lies in Iide Town and starts at the Dainichisugi Hut at the end of a paved road. The Dainichisugi Trail takes you via Jizo-take and Tanemaki-yama to the summit of Iide-san. The Kiriawase Mountain Hut lies along the trail near the junction for Tanemaki-yama. Besides the Zange slope right near the trailhead there aren’t many steep parts. However, there are snowpacks along the way so an ice axe and crampons are necessary. Be sure to check the condition of the snow before climbing up.

Access to the Dainichisugi Trailhead is possible via a paved road. There is a space for parking on gravel about 120m in front of the trailhead for about 30 cars. About 6 cars can fit in front of the bridge at the end of the forest road. There is also a toilet on the ground floor of the Dainichisugi Hut.