Mount Hoshisho Travel Guide

As part of the remote Kuju mountain range, making it to the summit of this mountain is no small feat. Each of the area’s five peaks are over 1,700 meters above sea level, one of which is an active volcano that erupted as recently as 1995! Of course, that means you should definitely check the volcanic activity reports for the area before taking to the mountains.

Mt. Hoshisho itself might seem quite menacing with the steam escaping from the fumaroles on its slopes, but you’ve nothing to worry about (this mountain isn’t quite active enough to erupt at the moment). To get onto the mountains, the best place to start is the Chojabaru Visitor Center, from which you can arm yourself with a map and some useful local information.

The trek across all five peaks can be completed around 5 hours, but if you feel like breaking it apart then consider staying at one of the traditional ryokan inns which are scattered around the area. Even if you don’t want to stay the night, a dip in their onsen baths is a great way to soothe all of those post-hike aches and pains!