Challenge yourself to climb the zodiac! Introducing Mt. Konodomari, recommended for the year of the rat.

Do you know “zodiac mountain climbing”?
Once a year, they climb a mountain named after a zodiac sign (strictly speaking, there are twelve zodiac signs). This style of mountain climbing carries such auspicious origins.
2020 is the year of the rat! There are few mountains with the word ``ko'' or ``mouse'' attached to them, such as Konogongen in Saitama Prefecture, Mt. Nezumi in Fukui Prefecture, and Mt. O-Nezumi in Gifu Prefecture, but in Kansai there is Mt. Konodomari located in KihoTown, Mie Prefecture. (Nenotomariyama)” is recommended for an easy walking time.
On January 5, 2020, I would like to tell you about my first mountain climb of the new year, which was Mt. Konodomari!

There are several mountain trails to Mt. Nondomari, but here we will introduce a circular route from "Kirihara trailhead" to "Kirihara ridge trailhead" which is well-marked and has relatively many climbers. .
It is convenient to use your own car to get to the Kirihara trailhead, which is the starting point. From KihoTown, take the prefectural road Kiho Kawase Line to the Kirihara area. From there, it's about 6km along a forest road.
There may be falling rocks on the forest road, so drive carefully. There is parking space for about 6 cars at the trailhead.

Before climbing, submit your climbing notification at the trailhead!
Climb registration forms and a submission box are available at the trailhead. You can also download the mountain climbing notification form from KihoTown website, so it's a good idea to prepare it in advance. It is recommended as it will save you time on the day.
A climbing map was also installed at the time of the interview. Like the mountain climbing notification, this can also be downloaded from KihoTown website.

A unique system that makes mountain climbing fun is the Mt. Konodomari Stamp Rally!
Stamps are placed at the trailhead and the summit. By getting a paper at the trailhead, stamping it, and stacking the stamps from the summit, a certain picture will emerge that is related to the zodiac signs.
What kind of picture it is is only for those who climbed it!

Climb the iron ladder and the mountain climbing begins.
It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours to reach the summit, depending on your pace. Immediately after climbing the ladder, you will start climbing a steep slope, but the slope becomes relatively gentle once you reach the ridge. Let's climb up while checking the tape etc. that serve as landmarks.

There are some steep sections with ropes installed. Please be careful when walking to avoid falling rocks.

Once you reach the point where the road crosses the river, the second half of the climb to the top begins.
According to the sign at the trailhead, there is a ``Sukkasama River'' at about the 7th station from the trailhead, and it is said to be ``a valley that flows northwards, which is rare in the mountains around here.''

As you rise in altitude, you will be surrounded by a ridge of rhododendrons, and you can expect beautiful flowers around May.

Eventually, the field of view opened up and we arrived at the summit of Mt. Konodomari with a great view!
From the top, you can see the Pacific Ocean to the east and the majestic mountain range to the north.

The day of our interview was in the middle of winter in January, so we were worried about snow, but we only saw a small amount of snow at the top.
One of Mt. Nondomari's charms is that it can be climbed year-round due to its warm climate in the southern part of the Kii Peninsula. However, you need to be careful about heatstroke in the summer.

Once you get to the top and enjoy the view, don't forget to get a stamp before descending!
There is a stamp station just to the right of the summit sign. The completed stamp sheet will surely become a fond memory.

You can go back down the mountain the same way you left, but if you have time, head towards the Kirihara Ridge trailhead on the other side. You can descend the mountain in about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.
After descending steeply from the summit, you will come to a forest road littered with stones. Following the signposts, we re-enter the mountain path and gradually lower the altitude by making small ups and downs.
Then, I discovered a mound called "Seventy-five People's Mound"! It is said that this is where a vassal of Kuramitsu Akai, a fallen samurai of the Heike clan, was buried, who is said to have fled with his vassals to Mt. Konomari.

After a while after passing the 75-ninzuka, you will see the signboard again on your right. This is a branch of the Yamabiko Shindo trail that descends to the Asari area at the foot of the mountain.
Although it is a new road, this road is already abandoned and cannot be used. However, about 5 minutes after entering this branch, there is a rocky area called Yakegata with a good view, and you can walk up to it, so if the weather is good, it might be a good idea to do the round trip.

The word ``嵓'' in Yake-ga means rocky place, and as the name suggests, it has sheer cliffs on both sides. You can enjoy a great view overlooking the Kumano River, but please be careful where you step.
There are no signboards erected at Yake-ga, so turn back at a suitable point.

Returning to the fork and descending the ridge, you will follow the signpost and turn right, descending steadily into the valley.
After crossing several valleys with flowing water, you will eventually emerge onto a paved forest road and arrive at the Kirihara Ridge trailhead. If you have two cars, it might be a good idea to have one car turn here first.

Even if you don't have a car, you can return to the starting point of the Kirihara trailhead by walking along a forest road for about 30 minutes. By walking along the forest road while looking at the beautiful mountain range, you can enjoy a relaxing time that is different from everyday life.
Eventually, the trailhead from which we started in the morning came into view, and the mountain climbing was successfully completed. Thank you for your hard work!

Mount Konomari is about a 4-hour drive from Osaka or Nagoya. For those who find it a bit difficult to make a day trip, we recommend staying the night before and after the trip at “Hisetsu-no-takiFalls Campsite”, which is also located in KihoTown!
In addition to the campsite, the campsite overlooking the beautiful 30-meter-tall Hisetsu-no-takiFalls has become even more convenient with the addition of new cottages in April 2018.

〇Click here for detailed coverage report of Hisetsu-no-takiFalls Campsite

At the time of our interview, we had only stayed the night before, but the waterfall was illuminated during the winter and was very impressive!
A photo contest is currently being held for a limited time until February 29, 2020. If you have some skill, please give it a try.

Of course, the waterfall during the day is also very impressive!
For a limited time, the campground offers programs such as riding a ducky (an inflatable canoe) at the base of Hisetsu-no-takiFalls and playing in the river. You can spend a fulfilling time together with Mt. Konomari trekking.

On a sunny day, the rainbow over the waterfall is so beautiful! Just looking at it will soothe your heart.

Hisetsu-no-takiFalls Campground is also unique in that it is the only campsite in Japan (at the time of this interview) where you can experience a sauna and a waterfall. After warming up thoroughly in the Finnish tent sauna, head straight to the waterfall basin, which is like a cold bath! It's sure to be an unforgettable experience.

2020, the year of the rat, has just begun. Enjoy the waterfalls and mountains at Hisetsu-no-takiFalls Campsite and Mt. Konodomari and create active and auspicious memories!

[Writer profile]
Masayuki Takenaka
Climbing guide certified by the Japan Mountain Guide Association. Belongs to the Nara Mountain Nature Guide Association. Moved from Osaka to Kawakami Village, Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture, and currently works as a guide for mountain climbing and eco-tours mainly in the Kii Peninsula. He also contributes to mountaineering magazines.
Homepage: Chikuchu Climbing Guide Service