TARUISHI-YAMA (Mt. Taruishi)

たるいしやま 

Hiking Guide to the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture

樽石山

TARUISHI-YAMA

Mountain off Murayama Hayama famous for white snake falls, Itaya water springs, and more.

Taruishi-yama is a peak off Murayama-Hayama located in the Taruishi hamlet. On the road to the Taruishi-yama trailhead is the Taruishi 'University' for the disabled, the Itaya Seisui fresh water spring, Hakuja no taki (white snake falls), and the Kansatsu centre where you can learn about the creatures etc. of Taruishi-yama. 

On the road to the Taruishi-yama trailhead there is a university that you don’t graduate from, Taruishi University, the Itaya Seisui fresh water spring, Hakuja no taki (white snake falls), and the Kansatsu centre where you can learn about the creatures etc. of Taruishi-yama. 

There are also the remains of a mountain office previously for ascetics, the suzueden water spring, and the so-called $10m Dotan tree.

Shamu Trail (2 hours 30 one-way)

This trail makes use of the Shamu trail up Murayama Hayama. Drop your car off in the car park right in front of the Kansatsu centre before heading up the mountains. Taking a right just before the Kansatsu centre, you’ll come across a junction to the left which is where the trail starts proper. The trail starts in a cedar forest that turns into a beech forest. Keep climbing up and to the left there is a junction taking you to the power pylons. Take a left at the open area in front of the pylons and walk straight under the pylons and once past the stream there is a sign where you turn to the left. 

While taking in the beech forest, there are the remains of a mountain office previously for ascetics, and the $10m Dotan tree. A little past here is the 1155m high summit, but unfortunately there isn’t any sign or post to let you know you’ve made it. 

Suzueden Trail (currently inaccessible)

For the Suzueden trail you usually take a left at the Shamu trailhead and go to the summit via Suzueden, but most of the trail is overgrown and currently inaccessible. However, it is still possible to take the beech forest trail from Suzueden, so when returning from the Shamu trail you can enjoy walking the beech forest and taking in the cool air of Suzueden. 

TARUISHI-YAMA

樽石山たるいしやま 

Mt. Taruishi, Mt. Taruishiyama, Taruishiyama

Mountain off Murayama Hayama famous for white snake falls, Itaya water springs, and more.

Taruishi-yama (樽石山たるいしやま) is a 1155m (3789 ft.) peak in the Shonai region of Yamagata prefecture. Taruishi-yama is best climbed from June to October. Taruishi-yama is a level 3 in terms of physical demand, which means it is moderate to hike, has a B technical grade, which means it doesn't require too much expertise, and you want to allow at least 5 hours for a climb.

Mountain Range

Murayama Hayama

Region

Murayama

Elevation

1155m (3789 ft.)

Technical Demand

B (doesn't require too much expertise)

Physical Demand

3 (moderate to hike)

Trails

Shamu Trail (2 hours 30 one-way)

Best time to climb

June to October

Day trip possible?

Yes

Minimum Time Required

5 hours return

Google Map with trailheads and summit.

PDF Maps by TheHokkaidoCartographer and JapanWilds.org. See all here.

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