Mt. Komonji is located in the heart of Kitakyushu, offering its hard-working climbers an unbeatable view and picnic spot.
Whenever I go to a new city or prefecture in Japan, I make it a point to find the nearest mountain and climb up to the top.
Rather than paying a ridiculous fee to go up an elevator to some man-made observatory point, I prefer to work for the view and pay for it in my own sweat.
That being said, upon arriving in Japan’s southern island town of Kitakyushu, I decided to climb the nearest mountain there which happened to be the stunning Mt. Komonji!
Not For The Faint-Hearted
I don’t typically discourage people from going on a hike, but I will admit this one was tough!
There’s a reason I titled this post “Climbing Mt. Komonji” and not “Hiking Mt. Komonji.”
That’s right, the steepness of this “hike” was more akin to a climb, tempting me at times to get on all fours and put my hands to work too.
Fortunately, it’s not too long in terms of distance, but the difficulty of every step will certainly take at least an hour for you to get to the top.
There are a couple of routes you can take for this walk. I started from the base of Mt. Komonji, but you can also take the Adachi forest route.
Stay Safe! Use The Support Ropes
The trail to the peak of Mt. Komonji is quite steep indeed, so be sure to watch your step at every moment.
You will frequently come across these safety ropes to help you keep your balance as you climb up the particularly steep parts of the trail.
Some of these are made of typical rope material while others are in the form of metal chains (not sure why, less breakable perhaps?).
I’d recommend grabbing hold of these ropes whenever you see them, even if you don’t think you need them.
You’d be surprised how slippery some of these rocky slopes are, so be extra careful!
Stay Hydrated!
It goes without saying that you should stay hydrated on this climb, particularly if you’re doing it in summer like I did.
I’d recommend grabbing a sports drink from the vending machine before starting the hike, something like Aquarius or Pocari sweat to replenish electrolytes.
Keep in mind, there are no vending machines for the entire hike to the top (not that you’d expect one, though it is slightly unusual by Japan’s standards).
I’d also highly recommend taking some carb-heavy food with you as you’ll definitely need the extra energy!
The Top Of Mt. Komonji
The moment you reach the summit of Mt. Komonji, a feeling of pure relief, satisfaction, and accomplishment will overtake your entire being.
An unbelievable sight that heals the eyes and soul, you will be blown away (hopefully not literally) by the sheer vastness and altitude that this view provides.
Kitakyushu City can be seen in its entirety, surrounded by the endless sea on the right and the monumental mountains on the left.
The Perfect Picnic Spot
Don’t worry, you won’t be forced to sit on the ground (unless you want to), because there are a couple of conveniently placed tables and seats at the top of Mt. Komonji.
This is where the food you packed will come in handy! Live out your Japanese hiking dream by eating an onigiri (rice ball) at the mountain’s peak while you gaze out to the eastern sea so blue!
Remember, this hike is only tough on the way up, so give it everything you have to get to the top because the journey home is an easy downhill descent!
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