Hoo-zan (鳳凰山), also called Hoo-sanzan (鳳凰三山), is a granite three-summit ridge on the eastern edge of the Southern Alps (Akaishi Range / Minami Alps), rising above the Kofu basin in Yamanashi. Its three peaks are Kannon-dake (観音ヶ岳, 2,841 m, the highest, with a second-class triangulation point), Yakushi-dake (薬師ヶ岳, 2,780 m), and Jizo-dake (地蔵ヶ岳, 2,764 m). The name "Hoo" (鳳凰) refers to the phoenix of East Asian myth. Jizo-dake is crowned by the Obelisk (オベリスク) — a granite spire that is the mountain's most recognisable feature.
Why Fukada Chose Hoo-zan
Hoo-zan is one of the hundred mountains Kyuya Fukada selected for Nihon Hyakumeizan. The book is not a ranking — its order runs roughly north to south by geography, and Hoo-zan sits within the Southern Alps cluster, between Senjo-ga-take and Kita-dake in the book's sequence. Fukada admired its position as an eastern outcrop of the Southern Alps, set apart from the higher main spine, and singled out the Jizo-dake Obelisk as a striking piece of natural rock scenery.
The Mountain
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Highest point | Kannon-dake 2,841 m (9,321 ft) |
| Other summits | Yakushi-dake 2,780 m, Jizo-dake 2,764 m |
| Prefecture | Yamanashi |
| Range | Akaishi Range / Southern Alps (Minami Alps) |
| Rock & landmark | Granite throughout; Jizo-dake Obelisk spire |
| Book order | Roughly north-to-south in Fukada's book, not a ranking |
| Typical season | Roughly mid/late June – early November |
The Routes
Yashajin-toge Route (standard)
Grade: Challenging
- Trailhead: Yashajin-toge trailhead (夜叉神峠登山口), ~1,380 m
- Cumulative ascent: roughly +1,700 m to the ridge
- Time: about 8 hours one way to Yakushi-dake / the summits; commonly done as an overnight
- Waypoints: Yashajin-toge trailhead → Yashajin-toge (the pass, ~1,770 m, about 55 min above the trailhead) → Tsuetate-toge (杖立峠) → Ichigodaira (苺平) → Minami-goshitsu Hut (南御室小屋) → Sunaharai-dake (砂払岳) → Yakushi-dake, then the traverse to Kannon-dake and Jizo-dake.
This is the most common approach. The upper ridge has a distinctive white granite sand surface between the rocky peaks.
Aoki Kosen Route (valley approach via Dondoko-zawa)
Grade: Challenging
A longer valley approach from the Aoki Kosen trailhead (青木鉱泉) via the Dondoko-zawa course. The neighbouring Goza-ishi Onsen (御座石温泉) is another valley access point on this side. Traverse parties often climb from one side and descend to Aoki Kosen.
Getting There
To Yashajin-toge: Yamanashi Kotsu bus from Kofu station (on the JR Chuo Line), about 1 hour 10 minutes, roughly 1,760 yen. The Kofu–Yashajin bus runs roughly from mid/late June to early November.
To Aoki Kosen / Goza-ishi: summer-only bus from Nirasaki station (on the JR Chuo Line). For 2026 this is a reservation-only service, around 2,500 yen one way, running roughly late June to early November — book ahead and confirm the current fare.
Mountain Huts
Hoo-zan has three huts. Water planning matters here, so note where the reliable springs are.
- Minami-goshitsu Hut (南御室小屋): the main hut and tent site on the Yashajin approach, with a year-round spring that does not run dry. For most parties on the Yashajin route this is the standard overnight base.
- Yakushi-dake Hut (薬師岳小屋): a small hut high on the ridge near Yakushi-dake. It has no natural water source — water must be carried up or bought there.
- Hoo Hut (鳳凰小屋): serves the Aoki Kosen / Jizo-dake side, near the Obelisk, with water flowing year-round in front of the hut.
Flora and Wildlife
Asiatic black bear (ツキノワグマ): Hoo-zan is in Honshu (Yamanashi), so the bear here is the Asiatic black bear, present on the forested lower approaches. Make noise on quiet forest sections and store food carefully.
Rock ptarmigan (ライチョウ): Hoo-zan is one of the documented Southern Alps habitats of the rock ptarmigan, which lives above the creeping-pine (haimatsu) and rock zone. It is a protected species — keep your distance and do not disturb birds you encounter on the high ground.
Alpine flora: The mountain is known for rare alpine plants, including Hououshajin (ホウオウシャジン), which is named after the mountain, and Takanebiranji (タカネビランジ). Both are on Japan's Environment Ministry Red List. Stay on the trail and off the fragile granite-sand vegetation.
The Obelisk: The granite spire at Jizo-dake is the mountain's signature landmark, rising from the white-sand upper ridge.
Seasonal Guide
June – July: The season opens as buses begin running; expect lingering snow in sheltered hollows early on.
August: Peak season, with the most settled weather and the busiest huts. Book overnight space ahead.
September: Often the clearest month, with early autumn colour starting.
October – early November: Late season; weather turns colder and bus services wind down toward their end dates.
Practical Tips for Foreign Visitors
Treat it as an overnight. From the Yashajin-toge trailhead the climb to the ridge is around +1,700 m and roughly 8 hours one way to the summits. This is not a casual day hike — plan an overnight at Minami-goshitsu Hut (or, on the Aoki side, Hoo Hut) and reserve ahead in the busy season.
Plan your water. Refill at Minami-goshitsu Hut on the Yashajin route, since Yakushi-dake Hut has no spring of its own. On the Aoki side, Hoo Hut has year-round water.
Watch the bus calendar. Both the Kofu–Yashajin and Nirasaki–Aoki Kosen services are seasonal, running roughly late June to early November. Confirm current dates and times before you commit to a date, and check the last bus down.
Respect the protected species. The rock ptarmigan on the high ground and the Red List alpine plants on the granite sand are both protected. Keep your distance from wildlife and stay on the marked trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Hoo-zan be done as a day hike, or do you need to stay overnight?
Most parties climb Hoo-zan as an overnight rather than a day hike. From the Yashajin-toge trailhead the climb gains roughly +1,700 m and takes about 8 hours one way to the summits, so the standard plan is to stay overnight at Minami-goshitsu Hut (or Hoo Hut on the Aoki side) and reserve ahead in the busy season.
Can I reach Hoo-zan without a car?
Yes. For the Yashajin-toge trailhead, take the Yamanashi Kotsu bus from Kofu station on the JR Chuo Line — about 1 hour 10 minutes for roughly 1,760 yen. For the Aoki Kosen / Goza-ishi side, a summer-only bus runs from Nirasaki station, also on the JR Chuo Line. Both services are seasonal, so check the calendar before committing.
Where can I refill water on Hoo-zan?
On the Yashajin route, refill at Minami-goshitsu Hut, which has a year-round spring that does not run dry. Yakushi-dake Hut higher on the ridge has no natural water source, so water must be carried up or bought there. On the Aoki side, Hoo Hut has water flowing year-round in front of the hut.
When is the best time to climb Hoo-zan, and is there lingering snow?
The typical season runs roughly from mid/late June to early November, in step with the seasonal buses. Early in the season expect lingering snow in sheltered hollows. August is peak season with the most settled weather and the busiest huts, while September is often the clearest month with early autumn colour starting.
What wildlife should I be prepared for on Hoo-zan?
On the forested lower approaches the bear here is the Asiatic black bear — make noise on quiet forest sections and store food carefully. Higher up, the rock ptarmigan, a protected species, lives above the creeping-pine and rock zone; keep your distance and do not disturb birds you encounter.
This guide is part of the Japan's 100 Famous Mountains: Complete Hyakumeizan Guide series.
