May 2026 Hiking Summary: From the Core of the Deep South to the Ura-Ginza. 5 Trips Connecting Dream Ridges

In the quiet mountains,
there are places I have always wanted to walk someday.

May was full of such mountains.

The core of the Deep South.
The Diamond Trail I had wanted to walk at least once.
Hirugatake, the highest peak in Tanzawa.
And the snow-covered Ura-Ginza.

Rather than seeking out scenery,
it was a month spent reaching places I had been curious about for a long time, using my own two feet.

More than the distance walked,
it was a May that left me with a sense of 'connection'.

■ This Month's Numbers

Number of hikes: 5
Total distance: 188.3km
Total cumulative elevation: 16,605m

Looking back,
these are quite large numbers compared to past months.

However, what remains in my memory is not the distance.

Every hike
was a place I had thought, 'I want to walk there someday'.

More than the numbers,
it was a May with many ridges that will remain in my memory.

■ 5 Hikes Walked This Month

1. Diamond Trail 40km | A Kansai expedition where I met flowers and people

I had planned for the Deep South,
but changed my plans due to changes in forest road conditions.

What I walked instead
was the Diamond Trail, which I had been curious about for a long time.

The azaleas of Mt. Yamato-Katsuragi.
The Anemone flaccida colonies of Mt. Kongo.
And a long traverse exceeding 40km.

While experiencing an atmosphere and culture different from the mountains of Shizuoka,
it was a day where I enjoyed both the scenery and the flowers.

Distance: 40.8km
Cumulative elevation: 3,132m

▶ Click here for the detailed article
[Osaka/Nara/Wakayama] Diamond Trail 40.8km | A long traverse visiting Mt. Kongo, Mt. Yamato-Katsuragi, and spring flowers

▶ Click here for flower information seen on Mt. Kongo
[Mt. Kongo] Walking in search of spring flowers | Anemone flaccida colonies, Paeonia japonica, and Theligonum japonicum

(2) Mt. Senzu to Mt. Ikeguchi: Into the Core of the Deep South

The Shibasawa Hut I had long dreamed of.

Swollen mountain streams.
Swinging suspension bridges.
And the Daruma-kuzure landslide.

More than the scenery,
it was a hike where every single decision left a strong impression.

The silence and tension characteristic of the Deep South.

It was an intense two days
that I find myself wanting to look back on again and again even after walking it.

Distance: 34.7km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 3,674m

▶ Click here for the detailed article
[Southern Alps Deep South] Mt. Senzu to Mt. Ikeguchi: A 34km Traverse Crossing Shibasawa Hut and Daruma-kuzure

(3) Round Trip to Mt. Hiru: Mt. Fuji and Leech Curry

Leech Curry at the Hilton.

I went from Okura via Mt. Tonodake and Mt. Tanzawa,
and made a round trip to Mt. Hiru.

The main ridge line that continues while gazing at Mt. Fuji.

The Leech Curry that awaited me at the end of the walk.

It was a pleasant long course
where I could truly understand the reason for its popularity.

Distance: 27.1km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 2,399m

▶ Click here for the detailed article
[Tanzawa] Mt. Hiru: 27km Day Trip Round Trip to the Hilton - A Tanzawa Main Ridge Traverse Enjoying Mt. Fuji and Leech Curry

(4) Mt. Kuroboshi to Mt. Marubon: The Deep South Golden Route

The goal this time
was to walk Mt. Marubon under the best conditions.

Baratani-no-kashira, which I walked in time for sunrise.

The bamboo grass fields continuing from Mt. Kuroboshi.

And the mountains of the Deep South as seen from Mt. Marubon.

It is a place I have walked many times, but
it was the best scenery I have ever seen there.

Distance: 47.6km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 4,478m

▶ Click here for the detailed article
[Shizuoka/Deep South] Mt. Kuroboshi to Mt. Marubon | 47.6km loop from Sumatakyo - One of the best bamboo grass landscapes ever

⑤ Mt. Noguchigoro | The Ura-Ginza with lingering snow

The end of May was spent in the Northern Alps.

I climbed the Buna-tate Ridge, one of the three steepest climbs in the Northern Alps, and
walked the Ura-Ginza trail with its lingering snow.

Mt. Yari.
Mt. Washiba.
Mt. Suisho.
Mt. Akaushi.

And the sunset and sunrise.

Before I knew it, I had reached the summit three times in two days.

That is how comfortable a place it was.

Distance: 28.8km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 3,885m

▶ Click here for the detailed article
[Northern Alps Ura-Ginza] Mt. Noguchigoro | Crossing the snowy Buna-tate Ridge. The spectacular view from the summit I climbed three times

■ May Comparison

Longest distance: Mt. Kuroboshi to Mt. Marubon 47.6km
Greatest cumulative elevation gain: Mt. Kuroboshi to Mt. Marubon 4,478m

Most nerve-wracking place: Daruma-kuzure
Mountain with the most memorable flowers: Diamond Trail
Mountain with the most memorable scenery: Mt. Marubon
Mountain I most want to visit again: Mt. Noguchigoro

■ May Seasonal Notes | For reference next year

[Flowers]

Azaleas on Mt. Yamato-Katsuragi:
Just before full bloom in early May. It was beautiful enough, but it felt like it would peak in a few more days

Nirinso (Anemone flaccida) on Mt. Kongo:
In full bloom. The colony is breathtaking

Shiroyashio (White Azaleas) in the Deep South:
Started blooming around Mt. Sobakotsuyama

Mitsuba-tsutsuji (Rhododendron dilatatum):
In full bloom in various parts of the Deep South

[Leeches]

Activity has begun in the low-elevation zones of the Deep South
No major issues yet around Mt. Kuroboshi
Full-scale countermeasures will be necessary from June onwards

[Residual Snow]

Mt. Noguchigoro:
Residual snow present from around 2,200m elevation

The upper sections are primarily snow valleys
Route selection is important

[Weather]

There were many days with clear morning air,
and long-distance visibility was excellent

At Mt. Marubon and Mt. Noguchigoro,
we were blessed with visibility conditions that are rare for spring

■ Looking back on this month

May was
a "month of searching for scenery"

rather than that,
it was a "month of reaching the places I wanted to go."

Shibazawa Hut.
Mt. Sendo.
Mt. Marubon.
Mt. Noguchigoro.

Thinking back to when I only knew their names,
I think they were all very distant places.

But, by walking one step at a time,
before I knew it, I had reached those places.

Mountain climbing is
a hobby of looking into the distance, but

when you look back,
it might also be a hobby that tells you how far you have walked.

May was a month where I felt exactly that.

■ For first-time visitors

Focusing on the mountains of Shizuoka,
I write hiking logs centered on conditions and decision-making.

Beyond just the results,
I also record 'how I made my decisions'.

I have compiled the mountains I have hiked so far and my completion records here.

▶ Read my self-introduction article
Self-Introduction | For First-Time Visitors

▶ Click here for last month's summary
April 2026 Hiking Summary: 4 Trips Walking Through Sea of Clouds, Akayashio Azaleas, and Mountains of Prayer

June is the rainy season.

It is a time when the days we can hike decrease,
but that is precisely why a day when the conditions align becomes special.

Where shall I go next?

Once again, while gazing at the map,
I intend to walk one mountain at a time.

Click here for my past hiking records
▶ Magazine: 'One Mountain at a Time, Hiking Records'

I hike every weekend, focusing on the mountains of Shizuoka.
I would be happy if you followed me.

Until next time, with a record of another mountain.