High on the Kirifuri Plateau, the Tenku Kairo, or Sky Corridor, is a unique hiking experience. It’s a 1,445-step staircase up the side of a volcano with panoramic views all the way up.
If that sounds exhausting, it is.
But with a steady pace and a few breaks, it’s more manageable than it sounds.
In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about conquering the Kirifuri Plateau hike, including how to get there and what to expect when you arrive.
Kirifuri Plateau Hike: Complete Guide
The Kirifuri Plateau is a hike known for its meadows, wildflowers, and sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.
But what really sets the hike apart is its staircase. It’s 1,445 steps in total, leading up to one of the best observation decks in the region.
Many people do the Kirifuri Plateau hike to witness the “sea of clouds” in the valleys below them. On certain mornings, usually in autumn and early winter, a thick layer of mist rolls over the valleys below. This creates the illusion of an endless sea of clouds stretching beneath the mountains.
And if you’re lucky and visit on a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji in the distance!
The hike is pretty steep and the staircase goes right up the mountain. But if you’d rather not directly climb the stairs straight up, you can take the side trails that zigzag up the mountain instead. It’s a longer distance but less steep.
Kirifuri Plateau Hike Details
- Hike Distance: I hiked from the bottom of the steps in the parking lot to the top of the steps at the observation deck. This was about 0.8 km.
- Hike Duration: The hike took me about 40 minutes to go up and 15 minutes to go down.
- Hike Difficulty: Low to Medium difficulty. It is a steep incline, but there are stairs all the way up. You can take it as fast or as slow as you want.
- Hike Incline: 240 meters elevation from the start to the end of the stairs.
Kirifuri Plateau Hike Map
How to get to Kirifuri Plateau
The most convenient way to get to Kirifuri Plateau is to drive and park at the free parking lot right at the trailhead. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Nikko. That’s what we did.
If you’re using public transportation, you can take a bus from Tobu Nikko Station or JR Nikko Station to the Kirifuri Kōgen bus stop (#104). The bus stops at Kirifuri Plateau, right at the base of the stairs.
The map location below is accurate and can be used to navigate to the Kirifuri Plateau Hike.
Kirifuri Plateau Hike: My experience
The Kirifuri Plateau hike isn’t one that requires much preparation. Rather, it’s all in how you pace yourself during the climb up.
If you push too hard too soon, the exhaustion will catch up quickly, forcing you to stop. The key is to find a steady rhythm as you climb the long staircase—slow enough to conserve energy, but not so slow that it drags on forever.
I started my hike in the afternoon, and while the views were incredible, the sun beating down on me made the climb more challenging.
When I first stepped onto the staircase, they were a little deceiving.
I couldn’t see all the way up, which made it hard to gauge just how far I had to go.
So, I just started climbing, one step at a time.
Along the way, I found signs marking my progress. The staircase is divided into sections labeled A at the bottom and R at the top, making it easy to track how far I’d come, and how much further I had to go.
There were also a few sloping paths that looped around the hillside as an alternative to the stairs. I took one of those paths, but since it was spring, there wasn’t much scenery along the way, so I decided to stick with the staircase for the rest of the climb.
At certain points, observation decks along the stairs provided an excuse to pause, catch my breath, and soak in the view before continuing.
But as I climbed further up the stairs, I found myself speeding up, only to quickly regret it as fatigue set in. I reminded myself to slow down, take it easy, and keep a steady pace.
After about 40 minutes, I finally reached the top of the stairs. The effort was well worth it—the views from the summit were incredible. Unfortunately, it was a bit hazy during my visit, but the sight of Tochigi Prefecture’s rolling mountains stretching into the distance was still unforgettable.
It’s said that on a clear day, you can see all the way to Tokyo and even the Pacific Ocean and Mt Fuji. Maybe it will be clear when you visit!
Where to stay in Nikko
There are four areas that we recommend staying in Nikko:
- Central Nikko
- Nikko Station
- Kinugawa Onsen
- Okunikko / Lake Chuzenji
Central Nikko
If you want to make the most of your time in Nikko, staying in Central Nikko near the world heritage shrines and temples is the most convenient option.
Central Nikko gives you easy access to the main sightseeing spots, bus routes, and plenty of dining options. This makes planning your daily adventures more straightforward. However, keep in mind that most accommodations here lean toward the luxury side, so budget-friendly options are limited.
Nikko Station
If you’re looking for convenience without breaking the bank, staying near Nikko Station is a great alternative. This area offers more budget-friendly accommodations, such as guesthouses and small hotels, while keeping you close to transport links. From here, you can hop on buses to the shrines, waterfalls, and other attractions, or walk to some of Nikko’s restaurants and shops.
Kinugawa Onsen
For a more relaxing experience, consider staying in Kinugawa, a nearby onsen town designed with tourists in mind. Kinugawa is known for its large hot spring hotels situated along the river. It’s well-connected to Nikko by bus, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds—soaking in the onsen and exploring Nikko’s attractions.
Okunikko and Lake Chuzenji
If you’re a nature lover, the Lake Chuzenji and the Okunikko area is the perfect base. The area is surrounded by hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic viewpoints. You could easily spend a couple of days here just exploring the outdoors.
Our Free Nikko Google Maps Locations
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Are You Following Our Nikko Blog Series?
We spent 5 days in Nikko and found so many things to do there — from imperial architecture and cultural immersion to epic waterfalls and outdoor adventures. To help fellow travelers, we’ve put together guides to the best places we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Our ultimate guide to Nikko: 18 Incredible Things to Do in Nikko: Complete Travel Guide
- How to plan your Nikko trip: 2 Days in Nikko: The Perfect Nikko Itinerary
- Our Nikko waterfalls guide: 7 Best Waterfalls in Nikko: Complete Guide
- Kanmangafuchi Abyss is the cutest little off-the-beaten-path spot in Nikko
- The Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa is a beautifully preserved retreat of Japan’s imperial family, now open as a museum
I hope you enjoyed my guide to Kirifuri Plateau in Nikko! Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
