Come join me for a pleasant afternoon ride and hike from Shizuoka city to the top of nearby Mt. Ryuso. This particular outing takes us from the busy city to a mist-shrouded peak seemingly removed from the bustle of the Japanese metropolis below. This hike can easily be enjoyed in a day and there are several excellent places to rest and picnic. Expect crowds on the weekends though you will likely enjoy having the mountain to yourself if you pick a weekday for your hike.

My Ryuso is actually two peaks very closely situated to one another. On a clear day Mt. Monjudake (1041m) and Mt. Yakushidake (1051m) are visible from almost any location within Shizuoka city, and provide a backdrop and tantalizing hint at the much higher and more rugged peaks of the Japan Southern Alps beyond. Japanese people have been climbing these mountains for centuries as both peaks are considered holy sites within both the Buddhist and Shinto traditions. The summits can be reached via three separate trails originating from the area around the Abe river (near Gojima village I think), central Shizuoka (at Sengen shrine) and the area between Shizuoka and nearby Shimizu (the route and trail used in this video).

Google Earth Info:
You can visit Mt Ryuso yourself via Goggle Earth at the following coordinates: Lat: 35° 5′2.79″N Long: 138°24′3.47″E

 

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