Hakone, situated southeast of Fuji-san and north of the Izu Peninsula, forms part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

  It was previously a large conical volcano, but its central part collapsed to form a large caldera. Later in the caldera the triple cones were built by volcanic activities. Its highest one is Kami-yama with 1,438m in height. Now the picturesque Lake Ashi-no-ko lies in the caldera, which is 20 kilometers in circumference.

  The outer rim was formed around the caldera, which keeps a long mountain ridge. Its highest peak is Kintoki-yama(1,213m), and the second highest peak is Myojin-ga-take (1,169m). Both are connected with the long undulated ridge which has been maintained as a good hiking course. Kintoki-yama is more popular among hikers because it has the outstanding and rugged peak.

  Kintoki-yama is climbed from many directions, but perhaps the easiest route is from Sengoku in Hakone, because there are many buses to Sengoku from Hakone-Yumoto where we can buy a Kintoki Pass with 1300 yen.

  We left Niigata Station at 23:35 on December 17 by the night train and reached Sinzyuku Station at 5:10 in the next morning. From Sinzyuku we transferred into the Odakyu Line and arrived at Hakone-Yumoto at 7:16 in the morning. We bought a special ticket (Kintoki Pass) here with 1,300 yen. We took a bus for Togendai and got off at Sengoku.

  I walked along the route 138 for about 10 minutes and found a signboard on the right side of the road. Yagurasawa trail started from here. We turned to the right and walked along the track. Soon it led us to the narrow trail with steps. The trail climbed steeply through cedar forest and bamboo grass undergrowth for about 30 minutes to the main ridge where was the lowest col between Kintoki-yama and Myoujin-ga-take (Yagurasawa Pass).

  At this junction we took a left ridge and climbed steeply through tall bamboo grass. After 15 minute steady climb, we came out on an open ridge with a huge rocks. We took a short rest and enjoyed the view around.

  Another 10 minutes we went, there was a fork with a left trail coming from Kintoki-shrine. This trail seemed to be more popular for hikers.The rugged peak of Kintoki-yama could be seen first ahead of us. The rugged trail became steeper through natural forest and continued to the top.

  There were two huts occupied on the summit where hikers could buy some foods and drinks. Just beneath the top large rocks were scattered around on the ground.

  To the north there was a splendid profile of Fuji-san wore white snow. To the south we could see the central peak of Hakone called Kami-yama with Oowakiu-dani, having active steam vents, on the front slope.

  After lunch we headed toward west to Otome-toge. First there was a steep descent and we stayed on the ridge and went over the peak of Nagao-yama. A 15 minute steady descent brought us to the pass. The trail got muddy in places after snow melted.

  From here we went off the ridge and took the left trail and down to the bus stop. Luckily soon we could catch the bus of 13:20 in the afternoon for Sengoku.