27/04/2025
Went on a little scramble adventure today in Minami A*o, the Men No Ishi long course is now open to take without a guide so I thought I'd have a go and see what it's like.
To access the trailhead you first need to drive up to Torinokozuka park in Minami A*o. There's a little kiosk there (only open at weekends from 09:00 to 13:00) but you can access the trail on other days by paying the entrance fee at the vending machine. Men No Ishi short course is 500 Yen, and the long course,1000 Yen.
You'll receive a wrist band for the course you chose, then make sure to fill in your contact details on a form, pick up a map and you're ready to go. Just cross over the road and go through the gate, up the forest path and follow the signs.
The Maneki Neko cave - a skinny cat shaped opening in the rock face can be reached in around 30 minutes, also don't miss the little side route to a great view over the southern caldera to the central volcanoes.
Once you descend from the steep entrance steps to the cat shaped cave and if you're up for an adventure you can carry on to the long course. The 'path' is more of an idea than a reality but with patience you can find your way thanks to pink tape on trees, ladders, rickety steps here and there and guide ropes. Now and again there are signs in Japanese warning of snakes, hornets and other fun dangers. Some places have two ways marked pointing one way the 'safe' way and one way the vertiginous rope down a steep rock face way - like I said it's an adventure 😅
But there are a couple of really cool spots, one is the view from the Bald rock out over Minami A*o the other is the Male Wind Hole - I literally gasped when I first saw it - at the time I was on a path which I wasn't sure where it was taking me and to see this amazing hole in the rock face was worth all the slipping and sliding it took to get there.
There were a couple of points on the trail where I really wasn't sure how to continue, the Male Wind Hole was one, there was a rope hanging vertically down from one side which I thought was the way but on second thoughts backtracked a little and went out of the hole the way I'd entered, then I found another ropeway leading down the hillside from there it wasn't far to a forest road and 20 minutes later I was back at the start.
I had the whole long course trail completely to myself so if you're looking for peace and quiet in the forest this is a great trail.
If you're not confident in going it alone I would definitely advise arranging a guide in advance, you can book a guide through the Activity center at A*obinosato Kugino. With a guide you can also access the Female Wind Hole which is off limits otherwise.
The long course apparently can take from 2 to 4 hours ... (depending how lost you get maybe 😄, it took me 3 including Men No Ishi and I definitely was not rushing)
Definitely wear hiking boots, long trousers, have gloves (you're holding on to ropes a lot) and a drink. It's also advised to have insect repellent once it gets warmer.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DpQYYU7oSAZGvBsE6
