Although winter is the most severe season to climb the mountain, the reward is the view—the rime ice. Rime ice is frost formed on cold objects by the rapidly freezing water vapor in clouds or fog (similar natural phenomenon as hoarfrost).
It might be a good chance to climb with locals and become friends with them, as many mountaineers gather especially on weekends during the rime ice season. There are hot springs nearby, so you can relax and warm your body after hiking.
Prepare the proper winter clothing and footwear. You will need snow boots, but it will be safer with crampons.
To see rime ice, make sure you arrive early enough. It can only be seen in the morning, depending on the weather condition. Please note that it cannot be guaranteed as it is a natural phenomenon.
Shuttle buses called “Rime Ice Bus” run from the nearest station to trailheads on weekends and national holidays during the high season.
Mt. Miune
General information
Mt. Miune is located within the Murō-Akame-Aoyama Quasi-National Park. It takes approximately 4-5 hours to climb up and down the mountain. There are food and drink stands at the trailhead on the days when the shuttle bus runs.
1,235m high / Hiking difficulty: Moderate
Season
January - early March
Trailhead
Mitsue Youth Travel Village
Location: 1790 Kōzue, Mitsue-mura, Uda-gun, Nara-ken (Map below)
Access
Get off at Haibara (榛原) station of Kintetsu Railway. For the shuttle bus information, check here.
Related links
About Mt. Miune on this site
Blog ‘Snow Mountain Hike in Beginner-friendly Mt. Miune’
Mitsue Village Tourism website (JP)
Mitsue Youth Travel Village
Prepare proper winter clothing and footwear such as crampons and gaiters.
Mt. Takami
General information
Mt. Takami is situated on the border of the two prefectures––Nara and Mie, Mt. Takami is called “Matterhorn of Kansai”. After a few hour hiking, Takasumi Shrine will welcome you on the summit. Don't forget to go to Takasumi Onsen (hot spring) to warm up yourself when you get back to the trailhead.
1,249 meters high / Hiking difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Season
January - early March
Trailheads
Takami Tozanguchi
Location: Sugitani, Higashiyoshino Village, Yoshino-gun, Nara-ken (Map below)
Takasumi no Sato (Takasumi Onsen)
Location: Hirano, Higashiyoshino Village, Yoshino-gun, Nara-ken (Map below)
Access
Get off at Haibara (榛原) station of Kintetsu Railway. For the shuttle bus information, check here.
Related Links
About Mt. Takami on this site
Blog ‘Beautiful World of Rime Ice’
Prepare proper winter clothing and footwear such as crampons and gaiters.
Contact us for any further assistance
