Hayama Half-Day Itinerary: Beginner-Friendly Hiking on Mt. Sengen with Great Views and Miura Vegetables

Start from JR Zushi Station.
There is a convenience store next to the station, so you can pick up drinks and snacks for the hike here.
It may also be a good idea to buy some sweets to enjoy with the view at the summit.
From bus stop 1 or 2 at the bus rotary in front of the station, take a Keihin Kyuko Bus to the Kazahayabashi bus stop.
Buses run frequently, about every 15 to 20 minutes, so it is easy to use.
A hiking course accessible by train and bus is perfect for a short trip.
Many buses, including those bound for “Hayama Town Welfare and Culture Hall Yuki,” stop at the Kazahayabashi bus stop.
Be sure to check before you go.

From Zushi Station on the JR Yokosuka Line, ride the bus for about 10 minutes and get off at the Kazahayabashi bus stop.
After getting off the bus, go straight and turn right just before the tunnel.
After about a 5-minute walk, you will arrive at the Kinoshita intersection.

Near the intersection, you will find a signboard for the hiking course.
Along with the signboard, the sign for Hayama Church serves as a landmark.
The entrance to the hiking course is up the slope beside it.

Some people may be surprised by the very first slope.
Even though it is paved, it is quite steep.
Among cyclists, it is known as a “super-steep slope” and has apparently become a small local landmark.
Take it slowly, using it as a warm-up.
When you turn around, you can already see the sea for the first time today. It is a scene that makes you feel how close Hayama Town is to the ocean and raises your excitement.
With a glimpse of blue peeking through, your expectations naturally grow for the view waiting at the summit.

As you continue up the slope, the trees become more numerous and you begin to feel as if you are entering the mountains.
After a little while, Hayama Church appears ahead. It is a lovely white church that stands out against the greenery.

The hiking course begins from the side path by Hayama Church.
Follow the numbered markers along the course in order from 15 to 8.
There are signs at each point, so use them as your guide.

Once you enter the trail, the atmosphere changes completely from the paved road you were on earlier, and you can feel the refreshing mountain air.
The path is wide enough that it is not difficult to walk, but it may become slippery after rain, so be careful.
In contrast to the busy scene around Zushi Station, this is a place where you can immerse yourself in nature.

Continue along the path surrounded by greenery, and eventually a stairway appears, seeming to stretch up toward the sky.
The sea views are something to look forward to, but be sure to capture the scenery found only in the mountains as well.
It has been about 20 minutes from the trailhead to this point. You can already feel that the summit is getting close.

Climb the stairs to the top and arrive at the summit. The view suddenly opens up, revealing a panorama that may make you gasp.
The sky was hazy on this day, so Mt. Fuji was not visible, but the deep-blue Sagami Bay stretched out below, with Enoshima visible to the right.
The way the mountains, townscape, sea, and sky overlap is a sight distinct to Hayama.

You could see the sea from the first slope, but the exhilaration of viewing the scenery from higher up is on a completely different level.
It is surprising that you can reach this view in only about 30 minutes from the trailhead.
The swing hanging from a tree branch takes a little courage, but swinging while looking out at the sea is a rare setting.
Several benches and tables are set up at the summit, allowing you to spend time relaxing while taking in the scenery.

You can fully enjoy Hayama’s scenic views from the summit of Mt. Sengen, but the next destination, the 189-meter summit of Mt. Sokka, is about 30 minutes away.
If you have the time and energy, do not turn back. Continue along the hiking course and experience nature becoming deeper around you.
From here, the path continues as if heading farther into the mountains.
The impressive tree roots spreading across the ground also convey the power of nature.

As you continue, a very long staircase appears just before the summit.
The sight of it stretching far into the distance, with no end in view, is one of the highlights.
With its solid ups and downs, this section gives a satisfying sense of mountain hiking.

This is the highest point of this hiking course.
It is the summit of Mt. Sokka, 189 meters above sea level. You can enjoy a clear, refreshing view here.
There are also log benches, so take a proper rest after climbing the long staircase.

Return along the path you came on, then take the right at the fork.
The slope gradually becomes gentler, and you can walk through pleasant sunlight filtering through the trees.
There are several forks, but check the signboards and head downhill toward Jikkyoji Temple.

Houses begin to come into view through the trees, and you will find sign 8. This is the final point on the mountain trail.
After passing this point, you leave the green mountains and enter a residential area with a gentle downhill slope.

Head to the Hayama Elementary School bus stop, the goal of this hiking course.
This is where the Mt. Sengen hiking course ends.

After hiking on Mt. Sengen, enjoy lunch at THE HOUSE FARM, where dishes are made with ingredients that feel good for the body.
The Hayama area on the Miura Peninsula is blessed with a mild climate, allowing visitors to enjoy a wide variety of seasonal Miura vegetables throughout the year.
At THE HOUSE FARM, you can savor dishes that make generous use of these Miura vegetables.
A particularly recommended dish is the “Miura Shirasu and Shiso Genovese,” a pizza that lets you directly enjoy the texture and flavor of fresh vegetables.

Colorful Miura vegetables are arranged like a wreath, bringing out the umami of the plump Miura shirasu.
The chewy crust made with Hokkaido wheat is blended with house-made herbs.
It is satisfying yet light, with a flavor that keeps you coming back for another bite.

The interior was carefully built and decorated by the owner and staff.
Natural scenery spreads outside the windows, and a pleasant breeze flows through.
With many beachgoers and hikers, it is a relaxed space with an easygoing atmosphere where you can take your time savoring nature’s bounty.