Best trails in Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park
Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park consists of two areas: the Suigo area which covers Lake Kasumigaura, the Tone River, etc., and the mountain range area which includes Mount Tsukuba and Mount Kaba.
The group of lakes, Lake Kasumigaura, Yodaura, and Lake Kitaura, the second largest freshwater lake in Japan, offers beautiful scenery and is home to an abundance of aquatic plants and a variety of waterfowl. Lake Kasumigaura is also known for offering water sports such as yachting, canoeing, and jet skiing.
Around the lake are many famous places such as Kashima Shrine, Katori Shrine, and Ikisu Shrine, which are three of the Eastern Shrines, as well as scenic spots such as Ukishima, Ayumizaki, and Tennozaki.
Mount Tsukuba, Mount Kaba, and Mount Ashio, located northwest of Lake Kasumigaura, are known as hiking spots. Rising from the Kanto Plain, these low-altitude mountains offer visitors a variety of hiking trails and stunning natural scenery. You can also visit historic shrines and temples such as Mount Tsukuba Shrine, Mount Kaba Shrine, and Rakuhoji Temple. Cable cars and ropeways are also available to reach the top of Mount Tsukuba.
Top trails
- (85)•Hard•3.6 mi•Est. 3–3.5 hrThis trail is the famous pilgrimage loop to the summit of Mount Tsukuba, one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. The path has been a sacred site for over 1,000 years. The mountain is famous for the Male Peak and the Female Peak, which are dedicated to the deities. The trail takes you up past rock formations, such as the Toad Rock and the precariously balanced rock. You will be hiking through a beautiful forest of native Japanese beech and cedar trees. The reward for the rock scramble is the...
- (33)•Hard•3.3 miMount Tsukuba: Shirakumobashi Trail (筑波山: 白雲橋コース) This course takes you from the Tsukubasan-jinja Shrine to Mount Nyotai via the remains of Benkei-chaya-ato Ruins and various huge and uniquely formed rocks. The steep slopes can be slippery at times, so be careful especially when it rains. From the mountain, you can see the Kanto Plain, various mountains of the Kanto region in the distance, such as Mt. Fuji and the Nikko Mountain Range on a clear day.
- (27)•Hard•3.0 mi•Est. 3–3.5 hrMount Tsukuba: Miyukigahara Trail (筑波山: 御幸ヶ原コース) This Miyukigahara Trail in Mount Tsukuba is popular that starts from the Tsukubasan-jinja Shrine to the summit of the mountain. You will pass the uppermost point of the Minanogawa River, and see the Kanto Plain, various mountains of the Kanto region in the distance, such as Mt. Fuji and the Nikko Mountains from the various points of the trail. Due to the difference in elevation and distance, some physical strength is required.
- (22)•Hard•3.5 mi•Est. 3–3.5 hrMount Tsukuba (筑波山) Mount Tsukuba is a famous mountain in the Kanto region and for its low altitude and relatively easy climbing. Since the surface of the mountain color turns purple by sunrise and sunset, called a “Shiho” (means Purple Peak). It is also known as a sacred mountain with a history that has two peaks, Mount Nantai and Mount Nyotai, and you will visit both of them on this trail.
- (23)•Hard•4.9 mi•Est. 4–4.5 hrMiyukigahara Trail - Mount Tsukuba - Mukaeba Trail Loop (御幸ヶ原コース - 筑波山 - 迎場コース) This loop route takes you through via Mukaeba Trail to Mount Tsukuba and descends through Miyukigahara Trail. Enjoy the gorgeous views of the Kanto Plain, various mountains of the Kanto region in the distance, such as Mt. Fuji and the Nikko Mountain Range from the mountain.
- (6)•Hard•4.1 mi•Est. 3.5–4 hrTsukubasan Cable Car - Mount Tsukuba - Shirakumobashi Trail Loop (筑波山ケーブルカー - 筑波山 - 白雲橋コース) This route goes via Shirakumobashi Trail to Mount Tsukuba and takes Tsukubasan Cable Car downhill. From the mountain, hikers can see the Kanto Plain, various mountains of the Kanto region in the distance, such as Mt. Fuji and the Nikko Mountain Range.
- (12)•Moderate•1.0 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrMount Nyotai - Tsutsujigaoka (女体山 - つつじヶ丘) The trail is accessible from Tsutsujigaoka station or by car. There is a parking lot at the trailhead. This hiking route heads to Mount Nyotai of Mount Tsukuba. Visitors can also take the cable car up or down the mountain. This mountain is home to one of the most popular shrines in Kanto, Mount Tsukuba-jinja. At the top of the mountain, there are stunning views overlooking Kasumigaura, the second-largest lake in Japan.
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Attractions
- Hard trails in Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park
- Forest trails in Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park
- Historic site trails in Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park
- Lake trails in Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park
- Long trails in Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park
- Moderate trails in Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park
- River trails in Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park
- Short trails in Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park
- Scenic viewpoint trails in Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park
- Wildflowers trails in Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park
- Wildlife trails in Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park