Mt. Ibuki from the Ibukiuyama Driveway
What's up, everybody?
I took a loooong drive to Shiga Prefecture last weekend and conquered another of the 100 Famous Mountains, Mt. Ibuki. Since it is so far away and the "hike" to the top of Mt. Ibuki is so short, I spent the first half of the day hiking other mountains around Lake Yogo about 40 minutes away. I'll write a separate post about that hike.
. . . about Mt. Ibuki (伊吹山)
Mt. Ibuki, at 1,377 meters, is the highest point in Shiga Prefecture. It is the most prominent mountain in the area and dominates its surroundings. One side of it faces Sekigahara, the scene of one of the most important battles in Japanese history. The west side of it faces Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, and beyond that, Tsuruga Bay. The word Ibuki can be translated as breath, and one of the theories for the mountain's name is that the strong winds coming off the peak are like the breath of the mountain. Another theory is that the mist and fog at the top are the breath of a god.
My favorite theory is "it's just been called that since ancient times."
Location:
Map: ***If you want a link to the latest Yama to Kogen Map, comment and I'll get you a link. This link is to a printable topo map.
Starting and stopping point: Ibukiyamasancho Parking Lot
Peaks bagged: 伊吹山 (Mt. Ibuki)
(First-time) peaks # 1,079
(100 Famous Mountain) peak #54
Getting there/getting around:
I drove. These days, the only access to the mountain is on the aforementioned Ibuki Driveway (伊吹山ドライブウェイ). That is a toll road and (in 2025) costs ¥3,400. In season, it's usually open 8 am to 7 pm. For some of July and August, it's open 24 hours. November 25 was their last business day this year. The Ibuki Driveway's starts here at the Ibukiyama Toll Booth (伊吹山ドライブウェイ料金所).
If you want to get there by public transportation, google it. I think you'll get better information from there than from me! Bus Company websites are really difficult to puzzle through. Sorry.
Helpful Info
Weather Information:
Time and distance
Not really worth mentioning. Due to the trail being wiped out a few years ago, the only option for hiking is to start at the end of the Ibuki Driveway just a 20~30 walk from the top. I meandered a little more slowly than usual and walked further than I needed to and still only logged about 3 km (about 2 mi.) and was back in the car in about an hour.
Technical considerations/difficulty:
Nothing to note, really. It is the most prominent peak in the area and it's all above the treeline, so it could get cold and windy in inclement weather. One of the trails could become slippery.
Even though it's a short walk, some of the footing is a bit tricky. I wouldn't wear sandals but I did see many people in sneakers. I was glad that I had my boots on because there was a fair amount of mud on one of the trails I used.
Facilities:
What doesn't it have? Give shops, restaurants, and restrooms. One thing I was happy to find was a station to clean your boots.
Thoughts/observations/recommendations:
This is a really nice mountain and would be great for people who never climb mountains. I'd say this would be a nice spot for a date, or for a day out with your young grandchildren. It's not physically taxing and not dangerous. I think of this as more of a tourist spot than as a proper hiking experience. It is beautiful--but there is so much commerce going on at or near the top and there are a lot of people who aren't cavepeople like me.
If you're a caveperson like me, I wouldn't come here without pairing it with some other mountains in mind for the same trip. I spent the first half of this day circumambulating Lake Yogo about 40 minutes to the west. The two hikes made for a great trip!
During some dates in July and August, the Ibuki Driveway is open all night and they will allow you to sleep in your car at the top parking lot. I think it would be a nice place to go and see the sunrise from. Check the Ibuki Driveway's website's FAQ for the dates.
(Along with all the regular stuff such as maps, headlamps, boots, feet, and brains, . . .) don't forget:
. . . cash or credit card for the Ibuki Yama Driveway Toll. They don't take anything else for payment. Your ETC won't work.
Let's look at some graphic stuff.
You'll notice from the screenshot that the hike, illustrated by the blue line, is only near the top of the mountain. I always feel like cheating when I drive or take a ropeway to the top but it absolutely can't be avoided these days on Mt. Ibuki. Drats.
More pics:
The drive up was pretty.
That's the top
The trail from the parking lot starts here.
The Nishi (West) Trail is the easiest to walk on.
That's all for today.
Be sure to check the first part of the day's activities at this post about Lake Yogo (余呉湖).
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Caveman out
