Tanzawa-san (丹沢山, 1,567 m) is a peak in the central Tanzawa range of Kanagawa Prefecture, within easy reach of Tokyo. It is the name-giving summit that Kyuya Fukada chose to represent the entire Tanzawa massif in his Hyakumeizan. The whole range lies inside Tanzawa-Ōyama Quasi-National Park (丹沢大山国定公園). The range's true high point is Hiru-ga-take (蛭ヶ岳, 1,673 m) a short distance away, which is also the highest point of Kanagawa Prefecture. Most hikers reach Tanzawa-san on a long ridge day or an overnight at its staffed summit hut.
Why Fukada Chose Tanzawa-san
Fukada was explicit that he did not choose Tanzawa for any single summit. In his own words, he took up Tanzawa-san as one of the hundred "not for the individual peaks, but for the grandeur of the whole as a massif." The mountain in his chapter stands for the entire Tanzawa range rather than the modest 1,567 m point that carries the name.
Kyuya Fukada included Tanzawa-san in his Hyakumeizan. The book is ordered roughly north to south by geography — it is not a ranking of quality or height.
The Mountain
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,567 m (5,141 ft) |
| Prefecture | Kanagawa |
| Range | Tanzawa Mountains (Tanzawa-Ōyama Quasi-National Park) |
| Range high point | Hiru-ga-take (蛭ヶ岳), 1,673 m — also the highest point in Kanagawa |
| Summit hut | Miyama Sansō (みやま山荘), staffed, booking required |
| Hyakumeizan number | Included (book order is roughly north-to-south, not a ranking) |
| Typical season | Year-round (winter with care) |
The Routes
Ōkura ridge via Tō-no-take (the standard route)
Grade: Challenging
This is the single most common way up Tanzawa-san. From the Ōkura trailhead you climb the long Ōkura ridge — nicknamed the "Baka-one" — gaining roughly 1,200 m to Tō-no-take (塔ノ岳, 1,491 m), then continue along the ridge to Tanzawa-san and the summit hut.
- Elevation gain: about 1,200 m on the Ōkura ridge
- Character: a sustained, well-trodden ridge climb. Tō-no-take is the popular day-hike turnaround; Tanzawa-san is the deeper objective, usually combined with an overnight at Miyama Sansō.
Yabitsu pass via the Front Ridge (Omote-One)
Grade: Challenging
From Yabitsu-tōge (~761 m) the route follows the Front Ridge (表尾根, Omote-One) over Tō-no-take and then on to Tanzawa-san. There is no direct Yabitsu-to-Tanzawa ridge — the path reaches Tanzawa-san only by passing over Tō-no-take.
- Character: a scenic ridge traverse with views of Mt. Fuji on clear days, joining the standard route at Tō-no-take.
Continuing to Hiru-ga-take
Grade: Challenging (deep-range objective)
Hiru-ga-take (1,673 m), the highest point of the range and of Kanagawa Prefecture, lies beyond Tanzawa-san. Its summit hut, Hirugatake Sansō, is open year-round. Reaching Hiru-ga-take from the Ōkura side takes around 6.5 hours, making it a serious deep-range objective rather than a casual add-on. Plan it as a multi-day outing or a long, strong single day.
Getting There
By train and bus (to Yabitsu pass): Take the Odakyu Line to Hadano Station. From the north exit, the Kanachu bus (route 秦21) runs to Yabitsu-tōge in about 45 minutes. Yabitsu pass sits at roughly 761 m.
By car: Yabitsu-tōge has a free 24-hour parking lot. It fills early during the climbing season, so arrive at first light on weekends and holidays.
For the standard Ōkura-ridge route, hikers instead start from the Ōkura trailhead, reached by bus from Shibusawa Station on the Odakyu Line.
Mountain Huts
Miyama Sansō (みやま山荘): A staffed hut at the Tanzawa-san summit, offering meals and accommodation. Booking is required — reserve by phone (reservations taken 9:00–19:00). This is one of the busier huts in the region, so book well ahead for weekends and holidays.
Hirugatake Sansō: The summit hut on Hiru-ga-take, open year-round, for those continuing to the range high point.
Flora and Wildlife
Asiatic black bears (ツキノワグマ): The Tanzawa range is habitat for the Asiatic black bear — the correct species for Honshu. Kanagawa Prefecture estimates a small population of around 80 individuals, listed as locally endangered in the prefectural Red Data Book. Carry a bear bell and make noise in the forest. Bear spray is not the standard precaution here — that applies to the brown bears of Hokkaido, not to Tanzawa.
Sika deer (ニホンジカ): The Tanzawa range carries a very high sika deer population, and the resulting overgrazing of undergrowth is an officially recognized management concern. The effect — bare soil under the trees and a missing ground layer — is one of the most visible examples of deer browsing pressure in the region, and Kanagawa actively manages deer numbers to help vegetation recover.
Seasonal Guide
March – May: Spring greenery and generally good visibility. A popular season before the leeches wake up.
June – October: Leeches (yamabiru) are most active and aggressive on the Tanzawa trails, especially on rainy or humid days. They are harmless but unpleasant. See the tips below.
October – November: Among the best overall conditions, with strong autumn colour and fading leech activity.
December – February: Clear winter views, including Mt. Fuji from the ridges. Snow is possible on the higher ridge — bring traction (microspikes) and treat it as a winter outing.
Practical Tips for Foreign Visitors
Leeches (yamabiru): Mountain leeches are active in Tanzawa roughly April to November, peaking June through August, and are at their worst on wet, humid days. Wear long socks, tuck trouser legs in, and use a repellent. A product Tanzawa hikers commonly carry is Yamabiru Fighter (ヤマビルファイター) — look for it by name at local outdoor shops.
Plan around the hut: Because Miyama Sansō is booking-only and the standard Ōkura-ridge route is a long day, many visitors split the trip into an overnight. Reserve your hut spot by phone before you travel.
Start early for parking: If you drive to Yabitsu-tōge, the free 24-hour lot fills early in season. Arrive at dawn on busy days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you climb Tanzawa-san as a day hike, or do you need to stay overnight?
Tō-no-take (1,491 m) is the popular day-hike turnaround, but Tanzawa-san itself is the deeper objective and is usually combined with an overnight at the summit hut. The standard Ōkura-ridge route is a long day with about 1,200 m of gain, so many hikers split the trip into an overnight stay.
Can I reach Tanzawa-san without a car?
Yes. For the Yabitsu pass start, take the Odakyu Line to Hadano Station, then the Kanachu bus (route 秦21) to Yabitsu-tōge, about 45 minutes. For the standard Ōkura-ridge route, start from the Ōkura trailhead, reached by bus from Shibusawa Station on the Odakyu Line.
Do I need to reserve the summit hut?
Yes. Miyama Sansō, the staffed hut at the Tanzawa-san summit, is booking-only. Reserve by phone in advance (reservations taken 9:00–19:00). It is one of the busier huts in the region, so book well ahead for weekends and holidays.
When is the best time to hike, and when are the leeches active?
October to November offers among the best overall conditions, with strong autumn colour and fading leech activity; March to May is also popular, before the leeches wake up. Leeches (yamabiru) are most active and aggressive from June through October, peaking June through August, and are at their worst on wet, humid days.
Are there bears, and should I carry bear spray?
The Tanzawa range is habitat for the Asiatic black bear, with an estimated small population of around 80 individuals in Kanagawa. Carry a bear bell and make noise in the forest. Bear spray is not the standard precaution here — that applies to the brown bears of Hokkaido, not to Tanzawa.
This guide is part of the Japan's 100 Famous Mountains: Complete Hyakumeizan Guide series.
