Easy hike to Mt. Tsukuba with family
Easy Family Hike to Mt. Tsukuba – A Perfect Day Trip from Tokyo
Mt. Tsukuba has been gaining popularity not only among hikers, but also among families and casual tourists. Thanks to its easy access and scenic cable car and ropeway options, it’s a great choice for a relaxing outdoor day trip—even with kids!
Getting There: Easy Access from Tokyo
Located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Mt. Tsukuba is only about 1.5 hours by car from Tokyo, making it ideal for a quick getaway. We drove and parked at the Tsutsujigaoka Ropeway Station, which has 388 parking spots, so even on weekends there was no problem finding a space.
Riding the Ropeway to Mt. Nyotai
From Tsutsujigaoka Station (elevation 542m), we took the Mt. Tsukuba Ropeway, which climbs to Nyotai-san Station (840m) in just 6 minutes. The ropeway runs every 20 minutes and fits up to 70 people per car.
Since we planned a round trip, we bought round-trip tickets at the station.
We visited in November, so we were treated to stunning autumn foliage views from the ropeway windows. It was a short but scenic ride!
Summit of Mt. Nyotai (877m)
After arriving at Nyotai Station, it took just a few minutes to reach the summit of Mt. Nyotai. However, the area near the summit was crowded with tourists, and we ended up waiting for almost an hour to reach the very top. If possible, a weekday visit might offer a more peaceful experience.
Once we reached the summit, the view was absolutely worth it—incredibly photogenic and inspiring.
Exploring More: From Mt. Nyotai to Mt. Nantai
We then made our way toward Mt. Nantai, enjoying patches of autumn colors along the trail. On the way, we came across the famous "Toad Rock", a quirky natural stone formation. There’s a fun local tradition of tossing pebbles into its mouth!
At the halfway point, we stopped at Miyukigahara, a rest area between the two peaks. There are benches, a small plaza, and even Tsukuba Udon, which turned out to be a delicious surprise!
The trail toward Mt. Nantai is a bit steeper, so make sure to wear proper shoes and take your time.
Summit of Mt. Nantai (871m)
Once you reach the shrine at the summit, you’ve arrived at Mt. Nantai. If you continue to the back of the shrine, you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping panoramic view of the Kanto Plain. Compared to Nyotai, this side was much less crowded, which made it feel more peaceful.
With both peaks behind us, we had officially “conquered” Mt. Tsukuba’s twin summits!
A Tasty Reward: Dinner at Bando Taro
After heading back down via ropeway, we stopped by Bando Taro, a popular local family restaurant chain in Ibaraki.
We ordered the Bando Katsu Nabe Set (¥1,848 incl. tax), which was warm, hearty, and perfect after a chilly mountain hike. The kids’ plate (Koala Set, ¥858) was also satisfying and well-portioned. Compared to Tokyo chain restaurants, the taste and quantity felt noticeably better!
Our Hiking Schedule (Ropeway Round-Trip)
Here’s a quick breakdown of our itinerary, which made for a smooth and enjoyable day trip from Tokyo:
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10:40 — Arrive at Tsutsujigaoka Parking Lot
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11:00 — Board Ropeway
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11:06 — Arrive at Nyotai Station
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11:15 — Begin hike
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12:30 — Reach Mt. Nyotai summit (including wait time)
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12:50–13:30 — Rest at Miyukigahara
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14:00 — Reach Mt. Nantai summit
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15:00 — Return to Nyotai Station
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15:06 — Arrive back at Tsutsujigaoka Station (parking lot)
Final Thoughts
There aren’t many "100 Famous Japanese Mountains" that are this accessible for families. If you're looking for a gentle hike with scenic views and a touch of adventure, Mt. Tsukuba is the perfect starter mountain.
If you or your children have good stamina, you might want to try hiking up the mountain without the ropeway or cable car next time. The full hike takes about 4 hours round-trip.
While this time I don’t count it as a true “100 Famous Mountains conquest” since we used the ropeway, I’ll write a separate post for the full hike when I attempt it on foot.
Along the way, you’ll discover many uniquely shaped rocks and feel a deep connection with nature. Mt. Tsukuba truly offers something for everyone—from beginner hikers to seasoned mountain lovers.
For more details:
Mt. Tsukuba Cablecar and Ropeway
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