Mt. Kongo is one of the two hundred most famous mountains in Japan, located between Osaka and Nara.
At 1,125 meters above sea level, it is known as the highest mountain in Osaka.
One of the attractions of Mt. Kongo is its beautiful natural scenery that changes from season to season.

In 2020, it will be registered as a Japan Alpine Heritage site, attracting even more attention.
Hikers flock to Mt. Kongo from nearby areas such as Osaka, Nara, and Wakayama, as well as from far away.

There are several routes on Mt. Kongo.
Each has different features and difficulty levels, so choose the route that best suits your level of experience.
There used to be a ropeway route to the top, but it is no longer in operation.
As of July 2021, only the walking route is available, so please be careful if you were considering using the ropeway.

The Fushimi Pass route, which begins at the Mt. Kongo ropeway stop, has many paved roads, making it easy for beginners and children to walk.

The "Chihaya Park" is located in the middle of the route and is a perfect place to take a break. At the "Chihaya Museum of Stars and Nature" in the park, visitors can experience solar observation and nature observation of Mt. Admission is free, and the facility is suitable for both children and adults, so it may be a good idea to stop by after hiking.

It takes about 2 hours from the trailhead to the summit on foot.
It is recommended to take this route to the summit at first, as it is quick and safe, and there are places to stop along the way.

The Chihaya Main Route is also recommended for beginners.
Enter the mountain from the trailhead in front of "Kongosanroku Matsumasa," a restaurant serving mountain cuisine, and climb the log stairs.
There is very little risk of getting lost, and even beginners can aim for the summit with ease.

The highlight of this route is the ruins of Chihaya Castle, which was built by Masanari Kusunoki at the end of the Kamakura period (1185-1333).
Don't miss the cute Jizo-san (guardian deity) of Ultraman and Baltan Alien at the fifth station.

The time required from the trailhead to the summit is about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
If you want to relax at the top, choose the Chihaya main route, as it takes less time than the Fushimi Pass route.

Mt. Kongo offers the "climbing counting"

The number of times a person has climbed the mountain, he or she collects stamps, and when the number of stamps exceeds a certain number, a special badge is awarded.
Some climbers have reached the summit 10,000 times.

Those who wish to take up the challenge can purchase a coupon list at the store at the summit.

The nearest station to Mt. Kongo is Kawachinagano Station on the Nankai Koya Line. From there, you can take a bus to each trailhead.

Kongo, the "Mt. Kongo Hiking Ticket," which includes a discounted round-trip train ticket, a discounted round-trip bus ticket, and special offers for restaurants and facilities near Kawachinagano Station, is by far the most economical way to get to Mt. Koya.

If you are considering accessing Mt. Kongo by train or bus, take advantage of this ticket.

The tickets are on sale at major stations of Nankai Electric Railway and Senboku Kosoku Railway. If you use a car, there are pay parking lots near each trailhead.

Mt. Kongo is a mountain that can be climbed by beginners.

All routes take about 2 hours or less, and there are various spots along the route, so you will never get tired of climbing.

Some routes are safe for children, making them ideal for families.

Depending on the level of your or your companion's ability, you can choose from the two routes introduced in this article.