(Okuradakamari & Hamai-bamaru / Out-and-Back Route)
Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes
(Laughs included, tears not included, useful info overloaded)
🎯 Who Should Read This
- Tired of the usual Tanzawa or Okutama mountains and craving a “new flavor”
- Beginners who think “1700m?? No way I can do that…”
- 50-somethings who want a quick day-hike with maximum scenery and minimum suffering
- Fuji lovers who take photos as naturally as they breathe
- People who saw “Hamai-ba” and thought, “Did I just misread that?”
- Anyone who wants to casually brag, “Yeah, climbed two 1700m peaks today—no big deal”
Conclusion
This hike feels way easier than Mt. Tōno-dake,
yet you get two 1700m peaks + jaw-dropping views in just 2.5 hours.
Honestly… it feels like cheating.
The route I took:
Yunosawa Pass Parking ⇔ Mt. Okuradakamari ⇔ Mt. Hamai-bamaru (Out-and-back)
Starting from Yunosawa Pass (already around 1700m) means…
you’ve basically won before taking a single step.
From there?
- Mt. Fuji BOOM—front and center
- 360° panoramic ridgelines
- Golden grass fields straight out of Hokkaido
Round trip: 2h 24m
Peaks bagged:
- Okuradakamari (1781m)
- Hamai-bamaru (1752m)
If the suffering level of climbing Tōno-dake is “10,”
this trail is “3.”
What kind of scam is this…?
（Don’t worry—it’s legal. 😂）
Why I Chose Okuradakamari
I’ve hiked most of the major mountains in Tanzawa & Okutama.
Great places… but I needed a break.
I wanted:
“Day trip / fewer people / epic views / slightly obscure”
Then I found Okuradakamari.
All excited, I told my wife.
Wife: “Oh、それ普通にメジャーやで。”
＿人人人人人人人人＿
＞ Excuse me!? ＜
￣Y^Y^Y^Y^Y^Y^Y￣
…Well, never mind.
A new mountain is an adventure, even if it’s famous.
What Kind of Mountains Are They?
Mt. Okuradakamari (1781m)
- Located in Ōtsuki, Yamanashi
- Broad summit with full 360° views
- Listed as No.3 in the “100 Scenic Fuji Views”
- Golden grasslands that make you whisper,
“Wait… am I in Hokkaido??”
🎥 Watch the Mt. Ōkura Takamaru Summit Short Video
Mt. Hamai-bamaru (1752m)
- About 30 minutes from Okuradakamari
- Official name: 破魔射場丸（Hamai-bamaru）
- Historically a ritual archery site (射場＝iba)
- Fuji looks even bigger from here
Which One Should You Visit?
Both. Absolutely both.
Skipping one is like ordering ramen and refusing the extra noodles.
Just… why？
Access & Parking (IMPORTANT!)
- Chūō Expressway → Ōtsuki IC
- Forest road Yakiyama–Maki Line
- Yunosawa Pass Parking (10–15 cars, bio-toilet available) 湯の沢峠駐車場（大蔵高丸・黒岳・破魔射場丸 登山口） / Yunosawa Pass Trailhead Parking (Okura-Takamaru / Kurodake / Hamaiba)
Let me say this clearly:
THE FOREST ROAD IS NARROW. All the way.
For 10km straight.
Oncoming cars = Final Boss.
Honestly, driving is the hardest part of this hike.
Real-Time Hiking Log
— A 50-Year-Old Guy’s Honest Timeline —
10:57 — Start at Yunosawa Pass Parking
10°C, perfect weather.
Already near 1700m—pure cheat mode.
Mini Thought:
🟦 “Haven’t even walked yet but… yeah, today’s a guaranteed win.”
（▶ Photo: Trailhead & mountain view）
11:14 (17 min later) — Flower Meadows of Yunosawa Pass
Open the deer fence and suddenly…
a massive field of golden grass under a deep blue sky.
Mini Thought:
🟦 “I’d pay an entrance fee for this view, seriously.”
（▶ Photo: Golden grass field glowing in the sunlight）
11:44 (30 min later) — Summit of Mt. Okuradakamari
Words that came out of my mouth:
“Wait, that’s it? I can still go.
Alright, let’s hit Hamai-ba next.”
That’s how easy it felt.
Fuji stands dead-center like a painting.
Even the Southern Alps and Kōfu Basin are in view.
Mini Thought:
🟦 Effort < Scenery. This almost feels unfair.
（▶ Photo: Huge Fuji from the summit）
12:15 (31 min later) — Arrive at Hamai-bamaru
Trail shifts from forest to open grassland.
But the path is muddy even without rain—slippery!
Mini Thought:
🟦 Nearly said “whoa!” ten times. My lower back protested.
Fuji is huge from here. Ridiculously huge.
（▶ Photo: Overwhelming Fuji view）
12:48 (33 min later) — Back to Okuradakamari
Sun got stronger.
Views kept stealing my attention.
Mini Thought:
🟦 The scenery fried my memory of this whole section.
13:21 (33 min later) — Back to Yunosawa Pass Parking
Total Time: 2h 24m
Fatigue: Almost zero
Satisfaction: 120/100
Mini Thought:
🟦 A mountain that lets you finish with “I could keep going”—rare and precious.
Pros & Cons I Actually Felt
What Was Great
- Gentle on heart & knees (perfect for 50s)
- Scenery is… broken (unreasonably good)
- Insane time efficiency
Things to Watch Out For
- Driving is the true boss battle
- Muddy spots (sneakers not recommended)
- Bears & deer — bring bells
Recommended Footwear & Gear
- Hiking shoes or trail runners
- Sneakers OK only after long dry days
- City shoes = absolutely NO
- Bear bell is essential
Summary
This trail has none of the suffering of Tōno-dake,
almost no muscle soreness the next day,
yet rewards you with 1700m-class panoramic views.
Perfect for people who:
- Are bored of Tanzawa & Okutama
- Want great views but lower physical strain
- Want to experience the paradox of
“zero fatigue × maximum reward” - Want a fun fact about “Hamai-ba” to tell someone later
A slightly guilty, unfairly beautiful hike.
Just be prepared—
The drive back might drain your soul a little. 😂
＜Hike Data＞
- Date: Nov 30, 2025
- Route: Yunosawa Pass ⇔ Okuradakamari ⇔ Hamai-bamaru (out-and-back)
- Time: 2h 24m
- Elevation Gain: ~80m
- Difficulty:
- Hiking: Beginner
- Driving: Advanced (Oncoming cars = Final Boss)
- Hiking: Beginner
- Gear: Hiking shoes, bear bell, microspikes in winter
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