Mt. Karasudake Day Trip Itinerary: Beginner-friendly Hiking in Matsusaka’s Lush Forests

Slow Down and Relax in Japan’s Countryside

Located in the center of Japan in Mie Prefecture is Matsusaka, a
city known for its rich history and delicious wagyu. While its downtown region
retains a livelihood that reflects its past as an Ise Pilgrimage post station,
peaceful mountains and vast tea fields lie just to the west in the city’s Iinan
region. Over the course of every year, the seasons paint this picturesque area
in a rainbow of cherry blossoms, new leaves, fall foliage, and snowy peaks.

Today, we’ll walk you through a day trip itinerary
you can take to this beautiful region where you can take a break from your busy
schedule and enjoy a relaxing hike at one of Matsusaka’s best beginner-friendly
mountains.

Journey through the Forests of Mt. Karasudake

Mt. Karasudake is one of Matsusaka’s Kahada Eleven, a collection of eleven of the best mountains around Matsusaka’s Kahada river valley. With the peak standing at 545 meters in elevation, Mt. Karasudake is the shortest of the Kahada Eleven, making it a great hiking option for beginners or children.

▲Mt. Karasudake and the Iinan tea fields.

Start your journey at the parking lot for the Everglades Kahada, a nearby camping resort on the banks of the Kushida River. This area is conveniently accessible by car and bus, so hikers can choose whichever transportation mode works best. Don’t forget to make a quick stop at the public restroom by the Everglades to prepare for your hike! After you traverse the tea fields towards the mountains, you’ll see a sign marking the trailhead. You’re at the right place!

▲The Mt. Karasudake trailhead sign.

You can find a map at the trailhead and on one of the free Kahada
Eleven pamphlets at either the Matsusaka City Tourist Information Center or the
Matsusaka Station Tourist Information Center.

▲A map of the Everglades
Kahada route to the peak of Mt. Karasudake. (Source: Matsusaka Kahada Eleven
Pamphlet)

It’s time to trek up the mountain! The beginner friendly trail is
the perfect place to practice some forest bathing. If you’re coming in the
spring time around April, you might notice a variety of wild flowers or cherry
blossoms giving the forest floor a cheerful color. At the viewpoint at the top,
you can see all the way out to the Ise Bay and to the neighboring mountains on
a clear day.

▲The view from the peak of
Mt. Karasudake in late April.

Take a deep breath of the fresh mountain air, rest at the bench on
the peak, and have a snack. Don’t forget to keep the area clean by collecting
all of your trash before descending. Great work!

Another Gorgeous Viewpoint: The Chakura Bridge

If you have energy to spare once you return to the Everglades parking lot, take a short walk to the Chakura Bridge where you can get a spectacular view of the Kushida River. Come in early April to see the area filled with cherry blossoms.

▲Approaching the Chakura Bridge. The cherry blossoms
here are in bloom in early April.

▲The view of the Kushida River from the Chakura Bridge in early April.

Once you cross the bridge and make a short ascent, you’ll find an even better viewpoint where you can see all the way out across the Iinan tea fields. You’ll even get a clear view of Mt. Karasudake, which you just hiked!

▲The viewpoint on the top of the hill past the
Chakura Bridge in early August. You can see the bridge down below, along with
the Iinan tea fields and Mt. Karasudake.

Relax at the Chakura Roadside Station

Just past the viewpoint is the Chakura Roadside Station, a
must-visit if you’re in the area. Make a short descent down the stairs and
you’ll see a quaint cottage-style building perched on top of a hill.

▲Chakura Roadside Station nestled on a hill.

You can take a break inside at the restaurant on the first floor or
the second floor café space. The Chakura Roadside Station restaurant offers a
standard menu with a daily rotating special as well as green tea udon noodles,
where green tea is mixed into the flour for the noodles, among other delicious
lunch options. They also offer seasonal specials, like a chilled green tea udon
set for summer and a hearty beef stew for winter!

▲Enjoying a bowl of green tea
udon at the Chakura Roadside Station restaurant with a view of the Kahada River
Valley. A freshly made meal tastes the best after a hike!

Once you’ve rested up and picked out your favorite souvenirs, you
can return to the parking lot by crossing the Chakura Bridge once more. Wrap up
your day with one last view of the river!

Summary and Visitor Information

If you’re looking for a quiet place to escape from life’s fast
tempo, slow it down with a hike up Mt. Karasudake and let the views from peak
and the nearby Chakura Bridge heal you from the inside. Finally, take a
well-deserved break at the Chakura Roadside Station. A moment in Japan’s
countryside is the perfect way to rest and recharge!

Visitors interested in more hiking in the region can visit the link
below to discover more of the Kahada Eleven. The Kahada Eleven features plenty
of beginner, intermediate, and advanced mountains to suit a hiker of any level.
Some of the mountains are also included in the ranks of Japan’s 300 best peaks
and the Kansai Region’s 100 best mountains!

Matsusaka Kahada Eleven Website (Japanese)

https://kahadakyo.com/project/

If you’re planning a multi-day trip, you might be interested in
staying in a tent or cabin at the Everglades Kahada for the ultimate Iinan
nature experience. Learn about barbecuing, camping, and canoeing at the
Everglades Kahada, as well as other nature escapes and historical sites in
Matsusaka at the links below!

Visitor Information

Mt. Karasudake

【Address】1223 Iinancho Kayumi, Matsusaka, Mie
515-1411 (Everglades Kahada Parking Lot)

【Website】https://kahadakyo.com/project/
(Kahada Eleven website, Japanese)

Chakura Roadside Station

【Address】452-1 Iinancho Kayumi, Matsusaka,
Mie 515-1411

【Hours】9am – 5pm (Restaurant hours: 11am –
4pm)

*Closed on Tuesday, public holidays, and New Year’s holidays.