Overview
Mount Kinpoku is a mountain in Sado, Niigata Prefecture, rising to an elevation of 1,171.9 meters. It is the highest peak on Sado Island and stands roughly at the center of the Osado mountain range.
Highlights
- ●The highest peak on Sado Island at 1,171.9 meters
- ●Located roughly at the center of the Osado mountain range
- ●A name linked to the Sado gold mine
- ●Site of a Self-Defense Forces radar station until 2010
History
The mountain was formerly known as Hokusan, but came to be called by its present name, Kinpokusan, after the Sado gold mine was discovered in the early Edo period. A Japan Self-Defense Forces radar site once stood at its summit, monitoring the entire Sea of Japan, but in 2010 (Heisei 22) this role was taken over by a new radar site built atop neighboring Mount Myoken (elevation 1,042 meters), located just west of Kinpokusan.
Access
The mountain is located within Sado City, reached by taking transportation such as a ferry to Sado Island and then making one's way to the trailhead. Visitors are advised to check the latest road and trail conditions before setting out.
Best season
The best time for climbing can vary depending on remaining snow and weather conditions, so it is worth checking the latest mountain conditions before a visit.
Map
38.1039, 138.3497 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Cross to Sado Island and head to the trailhead
- 2Climb along the ridgeline of the Osado mountains
- 3Enjoy the view from the summit of Mount Kinpoku
- 4Take in the view toward neighboring Mount Myoken to the west
Did you know?
💡 The name Kinpokusan is said to derive from the Sado gold mine discovered in the early Edo period; before that, the mountain was known as Hokusan. Near its summit once stood a Self-Defense Forces radar site that monitored the entire Sea of Japan.
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