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Tour

Because of the danger of collapsing stonewalls, visitors are not allowed to enter the mountain by themselves.

You may climb the mountain only with the local guides conducted by the Sayo Mountain Castle Guides Association.  

All guides are Sayo locals and we will guide you with full hospitality.

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Please Notice Here

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  • For safe climbing, those with limited mobility and children under 10 are not permitted to participate.

  • Climbing should be accompanied with local guides.

  • The actual distance up is 218m. (715 ft.), as the height of Mt. Rikan is 373m. (1224 ft.)

  • Suitable for beginners and intermediate level climbers

  • Parking/Bus parking: Roadside Station Shukuba-machi Hirafuku

  • Restrooms: Roadside Station Shukuba-machi Hirafuku

Tour Guide Date

Saturdays from March to November except August

Routes

Route 1: Rikan Castle  10:00am- 2:30pm summit,

Climb the mountain castle, lunch or refreshments at thedescent (about 4.5 hours in total)

   

Route 2: Hirafuku Post Town   2:00pm-  3:30pm

Town, walk to the foot of the castle

Stroll around Hirafuku Post (about 1.5 hours in total)

＊Depending on your length of stay, we can be flexible with the tour structure.

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Hirafuku Post Town

Additional Experiences

If you can spend some more time at Hirafuku, you can also enjoy a tea ceremony experience, an armor dressing experience or other cultural activities.

→Local Info. & Activities　
*Recommended accommodations, restaurants and various activities

Tour Size

 

  • Minimum Number of Participants: 5 people

  • Maximum Number of Participants: 20 people

Participation Fee

  • 5,000 yen per person- (including a lunch box/ refreshments)

  • *Please pay in Japanese yen cash at the time of tour participation.

  • *If you are a vegetarian or have other dietary requirements, please indicate them at the time of registration.

Tour Meeting Place and Time

Meeting Place: Roadside Station Hirafuku (Michi no Eki Hirafuku)

  • Meet in front of the Information Center, marked by the Rikan Castle banner.

  • Please park in the No.2 parking lot in the Roadside Station Hirafuku.

Meeting Time: 10:00 a.m.

  • Duration: about 4h 30min. Estimated ending time: 2:30 p.m.

  • Please use the restrooms at Roadside Station Hirafuku before the meeting time if you needit. No restrooms on the way and to/at the summit.

Cancellation Policy

  • No cancellation fee until the day before.​

  • 100% cancellation fee will be charged on the day of the tour

  • In case of cancellation, please contact us by e-mail as soon as possoble.

  • Tours may be cancelled due to inclement weather or road conditions.

Required Clothing and What to bring

  • Drinking water/ sports drinks (to prevent heat stroke)​

  • Backpack, hat, towel, rain wear, and gloves.​

  • Trekking shoes or other non-slip shoes, long-sleeved shirt, long pants (to protect against ticks)

  • Even with trekking shoes, there are places where it is slippery. Please refrain from wearing sneakers or other normal shoes.

  • If you come in clothing or shoes that are not appropriate for mountain hiking, tour organizers may refuse your participation in some cases if they deem it to be dangerous.

Useful items

  • Warm clothes in Autumn/ Winter/ early Spring, Hiking poles, Insect repellent, Copy of health insurance card.

  • Medications taken on a regular basis

  • We have a limited number of rental hiking poles available. Please bring your own stock if you need them.

  • Some areas may be slippery.

  • Even in spring, it can get chilly near the summit due to strong winds, and you will feel cold after sweating*.

Safety and Security Measures

  • We will thoroughly implement the following basic measures to prevent infectious diseases and ensure that you can participate in the event with peace of mind.

  • Reduce opportunities for contact.​

  • When coughing, wear masks and reduce opportunities for the spread of droplets.

  • Check physical condition and take temperature.

In Case of an Accident

  • Sayo Mountain Castle Guide Association does not provide insurance for participants during guided tours.

  • It is recommended that you consider purchasing travel insurance during the trip at your own discretion andresponsibility.

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