DAY5

November 9th: 37km / 3,300mD+ / 3,600mD-

The final day, the climax of Day 5, arrives. The highest point of the entire journey is Mt. Kannon-ga-take, part of the Houou Sanzan mountains, at 2,840m, while the lowest point is 427m near the Kei Setsu Dormitory.

We start our day from Kanayamazawa Onsen, heading toward the Yashajin Pass parking lot via the classic route. After soaking in the breathtaking views of Mt. Houou in late autumn, we make our way to Aoki Kousen via the Dondokozawa hiking trail.
In the past, the standard route to climb Mt. Houou began in Nirasaki, climbing up Kashizawa, passing Torii Pass, and exiting through Goazawa into the Obugawa valley. As the name suggests, Torii Pass was once the place where Mt. Houou could first be seen, and a torii gate was erected here as a place of worship for the mountain. After crossing Torii Pass, we continue along the Suzuarashi Forest Road, which still holds the atmosphere of the classic route to Mt. Houou, before making our way back to Nirasaki, where the five-day journey concludes at the Kei Setsu Dormitory.