sightseeing
Day Trip Guide to Mount Minobu, Head Temple of the Nichiren Buddhism, from Tokyo
Last update: September 9, 2026
*This article has been translated by an AI translation tool.
*All images are for illustrative purposes only.
About Mount Minobu
Mount Minobu, Head Temple of the Nichiren Sect, Accessible on a Day Trip from Tokyo
Mount Minobu is a 1,153-meter-high mountain located in Minobu Town, Minamikoma District, Yamanashi Prefecture. It is known as a sacred mountain where Kuonji Temple, the head temple of the Nichiren Sect, was established. Since the Kamakura-period monk Nichiren Shonin spent his final years here, it is a "mountain of prayer" visited by many worshippers and tourists alike, regardless of sect, as well as Nichiren Sect followers.
Minobu Town, Minamikoma District, Yamanashi Prefecture
Kuonji Temple
The highlight is the grand panoramic view from the observation deck
The Bodaitei at Kuonji Temple features a steep flight of 287 stone steps leading from the Sanmon gate to the main hall. While it is one of the most famous and challenging sections along the approach, completing the climb offers a rewarding sense of achievement.
Located at the summit at an elevation of 1,153 meters, the Okunoin Shishinkaku is a sacred site where Nichiren Shonin is said to have climbed to remember his parents in his hometown. The summit features three observation decks, offering panoramic views of Mount Fuji to the east, Suruga Bay and the Izu Peninsula to the south, Mount Shichimen to the west, and the Southern Alps and Yatsugatake Mountains to the north.
Minobusan Ropeway Official Website
https://www.minobusanropeway.co.jp/
Day Trip to Mount Minobu from Shinjuku
Easy Access to Mount Minobu by Direct Highway Bus!
As an accessible route via JAPAN BUS LINES, there is a direct highway bus from Shinjuku (Busta Shinjuku) to Mount Minobu. This route, the "Minobu / Southern Alps ⇔ Shinjuku Line," is jointly operated by Keio Dentetsu Bus and Yamanashi Kotsu, with the operating company varying depending on the departure.
For a day trip from Tokyo, the 07:45 bus from Shinjuku is recommended. You can travel directly from Tokyo without changing buses, and the earliest service arrives at the Minobusan bus stop at 11:26 (travel time: approx. 3 hours and 41 minutes).
*Operating information is as of August 2026. Please check the operator's official website for the latest details.
From the bus stop to the ropeway (Kuonji Station), it takes about 15 minutes on foot (walking through the temple grounds; a sloped elevator is also available). The ropeway takes about 7 minutes to the summit. From the observation deck at the top, you can enjoy a grand panoramic view of Mount Fuji and the Southern Alps.
From Mount Minobu to Shinjuku
Be careful not to miss the bus!
The last bus bound for Shinjuku from the Minobusan bus stop departs at 15:10. Be careful not to miss it.
*Operating information is as of August 2026. Please check the operator's official website for the latest details.
Note that advance reservations are required for both ways on the bus and seating is limited, so early booking is recommended during peak seasons (such as the cherry blossom season and the first sunrise of the New Year pilgrimage period).
