Myojin-ga-take (1,169m) is situated on the outer rim of Hakone volcano, as well as Kintoki-yama (1,213m). The ridge between both mountains is kept in good condition as a hiking trail. Myojin-ga-take is climbed from some directions, but perhaps the most exciting course is from Yagurasawa in Sengoku.

  We left Niigata Station at 23:35 on March 8 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 took a bus for Togendai and got off at Sengoku.

  We 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 Yagurasawa-pass of the main ridge.

  Yagurasawa-pass is the lowest point between Kintoki-yama and Myojin-ga-take. At this junction we took a right trail and climbed gently through a thick bamboo grass.

  After 15 minute climb, we came up to a peak from where we could see the rugged peak of Kintoki-yama. To the left of Kintoki-yama the white head of Fuji-san began to appear over the ridge. It was a wonderful and impressive view.

  The trail climbed up and down on the long undulated ridge through the thick tall bamboo grass. Some bamboo grasses in places have been bent on the trail like bows with the remaining snow. It sometimes made us hard to walk by.

  Just beneath Hiutiishi-dake the trail went off the ridge to the left and contoured around the north side of the peak through a forest. At this time of year the trail was covered with much snow, but we didn't feel worries to slip down on the slop because the trail was almost flat, not steep sections.

  Abruptly the trail came out again to the open main ridge. There was a trace to the right which must lead to the top of Hiutiishi-dake. We went to the left ridge continuing to Myojin-ga-take. The ridge got cut widely in the forest because of preventing the forest fire. Because of it, we had a pleasant ridge hike for a while, enjoying fine views around.

  There was a steep but short climb before we got to the end of the flat section of Myojin-ga-take. The splendid view of Fuzi-san and Kintoki-yama could be seen from this point.

  Soon a wind got very strong and the summit of Fuzi-san went behind the cloud. We got hurried and headed to the top. We had to pass over a few peaks with grassy area and bushy area. On our way to the top, we had a quick lunch behind a bush.

  The true summit was on another end of the top area and there were a few hikers to take quick photos because of the strong wind, and almost of hikers took a rest for lunch behind the bush just below the top.

  We followed down gently the main ridge with a steep descent before we got to a junction. From the junction we went down to the Miyagino where we could find a bus stop for Yumoto.