[Deep South] Year-end, to a quiet 21km mountain. A day circling Mt. Jokoji

Overview

December 27, 2025.
Wrapped in the cold air typical of the year-end, we started walking from a quiet forest road.

We headed for a loop centered on Mt. Jokoji in the Deep South Misakubo area.
It is a route that mixes satoyama and deep mountains, connecting Mt. Obora, Mt. Idoguchi, Mt. Ogi-daira, and Mt. Nadakumashiro.

The distance is 21.9km, with a cumulative elevation gain of about 1,900m.
Looking only at the numbers, it is quite long,
and it is a typical Deep South route, with a mix of narrow ridges, rocky areas, and forest road walking.

With Kumi-san and Rie-san, the three of us,
chose this mountain to wrap up the year.

Hiking Data

• Date: Saturday, December 27, 2025

• Area: Shizuoka, Deep South (Misakubo)

• Type: Day-trip loop

• Activity time: 8 hours 00 minutes (55 minutes break)

• Distance: 21.9km

• Cumulative elevation: +1,911m / -1,912m

• Course difficulty rating: 48 (strenuous)

Overall route map

At the end of the year, with the usual three of us

We walked a lot together this year too.
Winter long hikes, snowy mountains, quiet ridge walks.
All of them left an impression.

Even without doing anything special,
just "walking together" is fulfilling.
We wanted to repeat that kind of time one more time at the end of the year.

To Mt. Obora, the beginning of narrow ridges and rocky areas

We climbed the forest road from the parking space and headed to the mountain trail.

At first, it is a forest zone typical of a satoyama.
But gradually, rocky areas and narrow ridges typical of Misakubo appear.

There are also moments where I am helped by guide ropes.

In places where the trail is faint or at points where the direction changes, it is easy to overlook the signs.
I proceed while carefully picking up the ridge.
Arrived at Mt. Obora.

Arrived at Mt. Obora.

After crossing Mt. Obora,
although the precariousness decreases, the steep ascent continues.
Beyond the umpteenth steep climb, the view opened up.

From Mt. Idoguchi to Yamazumi Shrine

View from the logging area.

Arrived at Mt. Idoguchi.
Perhaps due to the cold air, the temperature is quite low.
I prepare my cold-weather gear in anticipation of the forest road walk ahead.

A side trip to Yamazumi Shrine.

The shrine grounds, lined with large cedar trees,
were quiet, and a somewhat special atmosphere flowed through them.

Avoiding the wind, a leisurely break

Taking a break near Yamazumi Pass.

Choosing a spot out of the wind, I take a slightly longer break.
Warm food soaks into both my body and soul.

"It's nice to take it easy."
It was a time when such words came out naturally.

To Mt. Joko-ji, the observatory of the Deep South

The climb toward Mt. Joko-ji.

Crossing Mt. Ogi-daira and Mt. Nadakumashiro,
I head to Mt. Joko-ji while enjoying the "Is this finally the summit?" moment a few times.

Mt. Joko-ji summit.

For me, this place isthe observatory of the Deep South.
The mountains I walked, the ridgeline of Misakubo,
and in the distance, the Enshu Sea was sparkling.

While pointing at the mountains we walked together,
the time spent identifying them, saying "That one is such-and-such," is also fun.

Detours and a cautious descent

A detour to the ascetic practitioner.

The scenery is wonderful, but
the footing is quite thrilling.
Feeling nervous about the height, I retreated without pushing it.

A descent route like an old trail.

There are traces of a path, but it seems few people walk it.
I didn't risk the old bridge and went around below it.

Looking back

Mt. Idoguchi seen looking back from the road.

Distance 21.9km, cumulative elevation gain 1,900m.
It is by no means easy, but
when walking with friends, it strangely feels just right.

The time spent throughout the year
was quietly connected to this one day.

Thank you so much for this year as well.
Wishing for wonderful mountain times again next year.

Notes for those walking this course for the first time

• The area around Mt. Obora has faint trails and it is easy to miss signs

• There are narrow ridges and rocky areas, which are slippery when wet

• There is a long forest road walk between Mt. Idoguchi and Mt. Joko-ji

• Near Joko-daijin, the descent route has unclear trails

• Parking uses roadside spaces (limited capacity)

Reference links

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