Perfect for Snow Mountain Beginners! Frost-Covered Tree Hiking at Mount Kongō

"Snowy mountains" adorned with white powder and blossoming frost-covered trees. The perfect beginner's snow mountain to climb for the first time is Mount Kongō, located on the border of Osaka and Nara Prefectures! The popular route starts with the *Chihaya Main Trail* on the Osaka side for the ascent and the *Mogatsuji Route* for the descent. There’s no danger on this course, and you can fully enjoy the serene walk through the snowy mountain. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of frost-covered trees and snowy landscapes. The walking distance is 6.6 km with an elevation gain of 600 meters, but the trail is well-maintained, so you can climb it with ease! Mount Kongō (elevation: 1,125m), the main peak of the Kongō-Katsuragi mountain range straddling the Osaka-Nara border, is the only mountain near Osaka that exceeds 1,000 meters in elevation. Thanks to its accessibility, it is a popular mountain that attracts many visitors daily. It has also established itself as a gateway for those starting serious mountain climbing in Kansai. Near the summit, you’ll see frost-covered trees completely dyed white! The more you look, the more stunning they appear, resembling cherry blossoms in full bloom during winter. The panoramic view of the Osaka Plain through the frost-covered trees is equally spectacular. This is truly the iconic winter view of Mount Kongō! Since the summit area is open, why not enjoy your lunch while admiring the "frost flower viewing"? After lunch, we’ll experience bird feeding, as many wild birds fly around in search of food during winter. Capture the perfect photo as a small bird lands on your hand! Chain spikes or light crampons are required. If you do not have any, please contact us for recommendations.