Arashima-dake (荒島岳, 1,524 m) is an isolated peak (独立峰) rising southeast of Ono city in the Etsumi mountains (越美山地, part of the Ryohaku range) of Fukui prefecture, on the Sea-of-Japan side of central Honshu. It is the only Hyakumeizan peak in Fukui, and its symmetrical profile above the Ono basin has earned it the local name Ono Fuji (大野富士). At 1,524 m it is one of the lower Hyakumeizan summits, but as a free-standing mountain it commands the surrounding lowlands and looks across to the Hakusan range. The summit holds a shrine to Arashima-Daigongen (荒島大権現), part of the mountain's long history as an object of worship.
Why Fukada Chose Arashima-dake
Kyuya Fukada selected Arashima-dake for its mountain character (山格) rather than its height. Fukui sources note a personal tie: Fukada attended middle school in Fukui (the predecessor of today's Fujishima High School), so the lone mountain of the Ono basin was familiar ground. He is recorded as having climbed it by the Nakande (中出) course. What the summit is prized for is the outlook toward Hakusan and the surrounding peaks — among the finest vantage points for viewing the Hakusan range.
A note on the list itself: Fukada's Nihon Hyakumeizan is not a ranking. The book runs roughly north to south in geographic order, so the position of any peak reflects where it sits on the map, not how Fukada rated it.
The Mountain
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,524 m (≈5,000 ft) |
| Prefecture | Fukui (Ono city) |
| Range | Etsumi mountains / Ryohaku range; an isolated peak (独立峰) |
| Local name | Ono Fuji (大野富士) |
| Character | Free-standing summit with a worship history; summit shrine (荒島大権現) |
| Book order | Roughly north-to-south, not a ranking |
| Typical season | April – November |
The Routes
Four official courses lead to the summit: Kadohara (勝原), Nakande (中出), Sabiraki (佐開), and Shin-Shimoyama (新しもやま). The Kadohara course is by far the most walked.
Kadohara course (勝原)
Grade: Moderate (sustained)
- Distance: ~6.3 km one-way
- Elevation gain: ~1,259 m
- Time: about 3.5 hours up, 2.5–3 hours down (roughly 6–6.5 hours round trip)
- Character: Starts from the car park of the former Kadohara ski area beside Route 158. The trail climbs steadily through forest, passing the ridge junction at Shakunage-daira (シャクナゲ平, 1,204 m) where routes from other directions merge, before the final pull to the summit. This is the most popular of the four courses.
Nakande course (中出)
A longer, gentler line on the Nakande side — the course Fukada is recorded to have used.
Sabiraki course (佐開) and Shin-Shimoyama course (新しもやま)
Two further official routes that approach the mountain from different directions, each with its own character.
Getting There
By train: The JR West Etsumi-Hoku Line (越美北線, also called the Kuzuryu Line) runs from Fukui. Kadohara Station (勝原駅) sits at the foot of the Kadohara course, the only one of the four routes served directly by rail.
By bus and taxi: From Echizen-Ono Station (越前大野駅) the Ono city community bus reaches the Nakande course. The Sabiraki course is most easily reached by taxi or car.
By car: From Fukui IC, follow Route 158 toward Ono; the former Kadohara ski-area car park serves the Kadohara course.
Caution: do not confuse Kadohara (勝原) with Katsuyama, a separate Fukui city on the Echizen Railway that has nothing to do with this mountain.
Mountain Huts
There is no staffed hut on Arashima-dake. Shakunage-daira (シャクナゲ平, 1,204 m) is a ridge junction where trails merge, not a shelter — plan to climb and descend in a single day, and start early.
Flora and Wildlife
Asiatic black bears (ツキノワグマ): The black bear of Honshu is present in this part of Fukui. Carry a bell, make noise on blind corners, and stay alert near dawn and dusk.
Beech forest (ブナ): The celebrated natural feature of Arashima-dake's slopes is its beech woodland, which turns vivid green in late spring and gold in autumn.
Summit panorama: On clear days the outlook is dominated by Hakusan and neighbouring peaks — Kyogatake (経ヶ岳) and Nogohaku-san (能郷白山) — and, in the best conditions, the more distant Northern Alps, Norikura and Ontake. This is a mountain-to-mountain panorama, prized above all for its view of the Hakusan range.
Seasonal Guide
April – May: Trail comes into season as snow recedes; fresh beech green on the climb. Patches of late snow may linger on the upper slopes early in the period.
June – September: Full hiking season. Humid and warm at lower elevations; the summit ridge catches a welcome breeze.
October – November: Autumn colour through the beech forest and clear, far-reaching views.
December – March: Snow on the mountain; winter equipment and experience required.
Practical Tips for Foreign Visitors
Plan a full day. Despite the modest summit height, the Kadohara course climbs over 1,200 m and takes around six hours return. Carry water, food and rain gear, and start in the morning.
Use Kadohara if relying on trains. It is the only course reachable directly by rail (Kadohara Station on the Etsumi-Hoku Line). For the other courses you will need the Ono community bus, a taxi or a car.
Base yourself in Ono. Echizen-Ono is a compact castle town with a mountaintop castle, a preserved old townscape and good local soba — an easy and pleasant place to stay before or after the climb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arashima-dake a day hike or an overnight climb?
It is a day hike. There is no staffed hut on the mountain, so you climb and descend in a single day — the Kadohara course is roughly 6–6.5 hours round trip. Start early in the morning.
Can I reach Arashima-dake without a car?
Yes, by using the Kadohara course. It is the only one of the four routes served directly by rail: Kadohara Station (勝原駅) on the JR West Etsumi-Hoku Line (also called the Kuzuryu Line) sits at the foot of the trail. The Nakande course can be reached by the Ono city community bus from Echizen-Ono Station, while Sabiraki is most easily reached by taxi or car.
When is the best time to climb, and when does the snow clear?
The best windows are late April–May, when the beech forest turns fresh green, and October–November for autumn colour and far-reaching views. Snow recedes through April and May, with patches lingering on the upper slopes early in that period, and returns by December. From December to March the mountain holds snow and requires winter equipment and experience.
Are there bears on Arashima-dake, and what should I do?
Yes. Asiatic black bears (ツキノワグマ), the black bear of Honshu, are present in this part of Fukui. Carry a bell, make noise on blind corners, and stay alert near dawn and dusk.
Where should I stay before the climb?
Echizen-Ono is the natural base. It is a compact castle town with a mountaintop castle, a preserved old townscape and good local soba, making it an easy and pleasant place to stay before or after the hike.
This guide is part of the Japan's 100 Famous Mountains: Complete Hyakumeizan Guide series.
