Trail closure near the summit
Mount Daisen, in Tottori Prefecture, has construction work on its upper section. According to the prefecture, the main wooden boardwalk near the summit has been closed since 18 May 2026, while the Ishimuro course can still be used. No end date has been announced, so treat the closure as ongoing and look at the prefecture's mountain notices before you set out. Helicopter work has also briefly closed the junction near the top on set days, so a short stop at the junction can happen even when the route is otherwise open.
Daisen has two summit names. Kengamine is the highest point at 1,729 m, but the police warn against using the crumbling ridge that leads to it and ask hikers not to go there. The normal hiking goal is Misen at 1,709 m. If you plan a hike on Mt Daisen in Tottori, aim for Misen, not Kengamine.
Our pick: a bike ride on Mount Daisen
A half-day bike activity around Mount Daisen that also lets you make tea sweets at a local home.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Daisen on two wheels and other activities
A guided bike activity at the foot of the mountain and other experiences across Tottori Prefecture.
Natsuyama route
The summer trail is the main way up. Plan a full day and do not treat it as an easy stroll.
The Natsuyama route is the standard ascent. A local tourism organisation gives about 3 hours on the way up and about 2 hours 30 minutes on the way down, around 6 hours in total with breaks. Weather, fitness and the condition of the path change that number, so start early and leave room to turn around.
Water
The shelter at the 6th station has no water. Carry enough drinking water for the whole day.
Falling stones
The steeper section around the 7th station can drop stones. Watch the slope above you and do not kick loose rocks down the path.
Safety kit
The police advise a filed climbing plan, rain gear, a headlamp, extra food and water. If you are exhausted, turn back.
The same mountain is the gateway for other trips. For a base with buses and trains, see Yonago and Kaike Onsen. Bus services from JR Yonago to Daisen-ji take about 50 minutes, and with a car the Bakuroza car park is about 15 minutes from Yonago IC by prefectural road 24. These are guide times, not a guarantee of connections.
Daisen-ji and Amida-do
The temple halfway up the slope is worth a visit even if you do not reach the summit.
Daisen-ji grew over centuries together with the shrine above it, in the mix of Buddhist and Shinto practice that was common in Japan. In the early Meiji period the two were formally separated. A local map lists the Reihokaku treasure house at 300 JPY for adults, open from April to November with the last entry at 16:00. The fee includes a visit to the main hall, so it is not an entrance fee for the whole mountain.
The Amida-do is handled separately. The interior is normally open on the 18th of each month from April to November, from 10:00 to 15:00, for 500 JPY per person. At other times you need to register in advance. Do not mix up these hours with the main hall.
For the story behind the buildings, including the date 1529 for the destruction of the Amida-do and 1552 for its rebuilding as the local monument page gives it, read the Tottori history page.
Ogamiyama-jinja Okunomiya
The mountain sanctuary lies above the temple, along a stone path.
Above Daisen-ji, a natural stone path of roughly 700 m leads to Ogamiyama-jinja Okunomiya. The main shrine and the mountain sanctuary are two different places, so check which one you are walking to. The shrine complex is described as an important cultural property. From Daisen-ji it is about 20 minutes on foot to the mountain sanctuary. The founding date of the shrine is unclear in the local account.
If you combine the temple, the shrine path and the town below in one day, you can stay in Yonago or look at where to stay in Tottori for the areas that suit a Daisen trip.
Winter on Daisen
Snow changes the mountain, and the summer trail is not a winter route.
Daisen gets snow in winter, and the Daisen White Resort ski area has four parts: Goenzan, Nakanohara, Uenohara and Kokusai. For this season, ask the operator directly about opening dates, lifts and prices before you plan a ski day. Do not assume the Natsuyama route can be walked in winter without special gear. If you want to see the mountain in snow without climbing, look at the Tottori weather and best time to visit page, and for the way in by train and bus see how to get to Tottori.
The bike activity at the foot of the mountain starts in the Morinokuni nature park and includes a visit to a local home to make traditional tea sweets, with the bike and helmet provided. It is a half-day option for people who want the countryside around Daisen without a mountain climb.
Mount Daisen: frequently asked questions
Is Mount Daisen open to hikers right now?
The Natsuyama route is the usual way up, but the main boardwalk near the summit has been closed since 18 May 2026 and no end date is published. The Ishimuro course can still be used. Check the prefecture's mountain notices before you go.
How long does the Natsuyama route take?
A local tourism organisation gives about 3 hours up and 2 hours 30 minutes down, roughly 6 hours with breaks. Allow more in poor weather.
Can I walk the ridge to Kengamine?
No. Kengamine is the highest point at 1,729 m, but the police warn that the ridge is crumbling and ask hikers not to use it. The regular goal is Misen at 1,709 m.
How do I get to Daisen-ji from Yonago?
A bus from JR Yonago takes about 50 minutes. By car, the Bakuroza car park is about 15 minutes from Yonago IC. These are guide times.
Is there water on the trail?
There is none at the shelter at the 6th station, so carry all the water you need.