Warrior Monk: 11 Peak Challenge

The Basics:

Let’s start with what this is NOT: It is NOT your average hike for average people with an average level of fitness! It IS a TOUGH and EPIC challenge that will push you to your limits! If you think you can take on this challenge and become a Japanese Mountain Warrior for a day, then what are you waiting for? Sign up for this truly unique event and help protect Japan’s endemic and very special wildlife!

The official course time is 18 hours, but even the most accomplished hiker cannot hike for that many hours in succession. Your challenge is to complete the whole course in ELEVEN HOURS! Yes, 11 Peaks in just 11 hours!

This is not a race! There are no prizes for first place. Some parts of the route are classed as EXTREMELY DANGEROUS (but not forbidden) and safety precautions MUST be taken.

Even if you don’t manage to complete the course in under 11 hours, finishing the course within one-day is still an incredible feat.

When: 13th October 2024.

Official start time is 6am (Registration is open from 5am. You must register online beforehand). Scroll down for more details.

Where: Kyukamura Kagamiganaru Camp Site (休暇村鏡ケ成キャンプ場) 〒689-4424 Tottori, Hino District, Kofu, Mizukue, 鏡ヶ成７０９−１OR the adjacent Kagamiganarukogen Parking Lot. The exact location to be confirmed soon.

For more course details, please scroll down.

Course stats:

Total Distance: 19km

Total Elevation Gain: 1854m

Total Elevation Loss: 2383m

Warrior Monk Challenge Target Time: 11hrs

The Course:

Mt. Daisen isn’t your typical mountain. The "Great God Mountain” is a sacred volcano rising 1729 metres from the Sea of Japan in the Tottori Prefecture. It has been worshipped as a sacred mountain since at least the Heian Period (794 AD to 1185 AD). Consisting of several peaks, Mt. Daisen has been a training ground for Yamabushi; ancient mountain priests who carry out tough training in search of personal transformation and supernatural powers for millennia.

Senjousan, the last peak of the challenge, has a very special history. For eighty days it was considered the capital of Japan as it was the base of the Emperor Go-Daigo, the 96th Emperor of Japan, after he escaped exile from the Oki Islands. The mountain was the scene of a great battle between the forces loyal to the Kamakura Shogunate from Kyoto and the Emperor’s forces with the help of the Warrior Monks from Daisen Temple. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Daisen Warrior Monks emerged victorious.

The Warrior Monk Course starts at Kamiganaru Camping Area and finishes at Senjousan and covers the majority of Mt. Daisen’s peaks. The peaks, as per the Daisen Area Map produced by the Japan Alpine Club, are:

1.⁠ ⁠Karasugasen North

2.⁠ ⁠Karasugasen South

3.⁠ ⁠Sankoho

4.⁠ ⁠Furikosen

5.⁠ ⁠Oyayubi Peak

6.⁠ ⁠Salamander Peak

7.⁠ ⁠Nodagasen

8.⁠ ⁠Yahazugasen 

9.⁠ ⁠Kabutogasen

10.⁠ ⁠Kattagasen

11.⁠ ⁠Senjousan

Event Details:

Entrance Fee: $70 (US Dollars, equivalent to 10,000 Japanese Yen)

Fee Includes:

•⁠ ⁠Event t-shirt with a unique design only available for event challengers - Let the world know how bad-ass you are!

•⁠ ⁠Daisen Area Map

•⁠ ⁠Certificate of completion

Age Restrictions: Participants must be 16 years or older on the day of the event

Sponsorship: Aside from your entrance fee, we strongly encourage those in attendance to seek out sponsors (friends, family, coworkers etc) that will also donate for you take to on this challenge. 100% of the proceeds will go towards Sustainable Daisen’s fight to save the Japanese Giant Salamanders. We have set a target of $150 (US dollars, equivalent to 21,350 yen) sponsorship per challenger, but the more you can raise, the better. A prize will be given for the highest fundraiser! Please scroll down for more information about sponsorship and a pre-written message to share with your friends.

How to Apply:

First, please ensure that you read and understand the terms of the Warrior Monk Challenge Disclaimer. You will also be asked to read and sign a Warrior Monk Challenge Disclaimer at the registration desk on the day of the event itself.

Click here for the Warrior Monk Challenge Disclaimer

To apply for the Warrior Monk Challenge, please complete the sign-up form. The sign-up form can be found via this link:

https://forms.gle/99QtEPhYYV67XLcb8

Once you have completed the sign-up form you will receive a confirmation email asking you to complete your entry-fee donation. This donation can be completed via a link in the confirmation email.

PLEASE NOTE YOU WILL NOT BE ENTERED INTO THE CHALLENGE UNTIL WE HAVE RECEIVED YOUR ENTRY FEE DONATION. 

Once we receive your entry fee donation you will receive a confirmation email welcoming you to the Challenge. Please take the time to read the FAQs, and the Challenge Rules and Conditions.

If you have any queries, please contact us at info@sustainabledaisen.org

We look forward to seeing you at the Challenge!

Sponsorship - Further Information:

Save time communicating with potential sponsors with our pre-written message:

“I'm taking on the Warrior Monk Challenge on Sunday 13th October to raise funds for Japanese giant salamander conservation! Japanese Giant Salamanders are some of the world’s largest amphibians, but they are under serious threat of extinction.

To do my part to help this important cause I’m attempting to climb 11 peaks of Mount Daisen in just 11 hours - a feat that should normally take a minimum of 18 hours! Please help by supporting me with a donation; I’m hoping to raise at least 20,000JPY but any size donation is very much appreciated! All proceeds go to Sustainable Daisen, a non-profit organisation doing groundbreaking work in Japanese Giant Salamander conservation. Check out their website for more information: www.sustainabledaisen.org.

I’ll update you all with my results after the big day! Thank you for your support!”

You can donate any amount and leave a message of support by following this link:

https://www.sustainabledaisen.org/en/sponsors-donation-link-page

Warrior Monk Challenge FAQs

What is the Warrior Monk Challenge?

It is an epic, multi-peak hiking challenge through the Mount Daisen National Park Area. The official amount of time needed to complete the course is 18 hours. Your challenge is to do it under 11 hours! HOWEVER, it is not a trail run or even a race. Much of the course is through thick vegetation and some parts need extreme care. Only the last part (The Run Zone) through the beech forest is suitable for running. If you push hard and take only short breaks strong hikers can do it - trust us, we’ve done it!

Is the route dangerous?

On the Japan Alpine Club map, one section of the route is considered “extremely dangerous (非常に危険な場所)” and three further sections are considered “dangerous (危険な場所)”. HOWEVER, these routes are open to the public and are often hiked. They are not “off-limits” or “forbidden” routes. Extreme caution is essential and consideration for your own safety and that of other event challengers and members of the public must be given.

What is the difficulty level of the course?

This is a HARD challenge. Only those who have a high level of stamina (both mental and physical) should attempt this challenge. Some of the route involves using fixed ropes and ladders to assist with climbing up and down steep rock faces; only those physically able to do so should attempt the challenge.

When will the Warrior Monk Challenge take place?

The Warrior Monk Challenge is scheduled to take place on Sunday 13th October. Registration will commence from 5am

Where will the Warrior Monk Challenge take place?

The starting place and on-the-day registration will take part at Kyukamura Kagamiganaru Camp Site (休暇村鏡ケ成キャンプ場)〒689-4424 Tottori, Hino District, Kofu, Mizukue, 鏡ヶ成７０９−１OR the adjacent Kagamiganarukogen Parking Lot. The exact location to be confirmed soon.

The end point of the course is Senjosantozanguchitenbo Parking Lot (船上山登山口展望駐車場).

How do I get back to the starting point to retrieve my vehicle?

The end point is 40 minutes drive from the start point. For those travelling in a group with two or more vehicles, we recommend leaving a vehicle at the end point the evening before. For those travelling in a group (or solo) with only one car, volunteer drivers* will be shuttling challengers back to the starting point. Simply stick out your thumb and wait for the next space to become available. There may be a wait of up to 45 minutes. *No payment is taken or received by the drivers and is being done purely on a voluntary basis.

What’s included in my entry fee?

Your entry fee entitles you to entry into the Challenge; a map of the Daisen area with the Challenge route; a commemorative T-shirt; a certificate of completion. 

Where does my money go?

100 percent of the entry fee (minus event costs) goes towards Sustainable Daisen’s mission to protect and conserve Japanese Giant Salamanders and the nature of Mount Daisen.

How do I get there?

Travel by private car is the only option, unfortunately. If you are having trouble finding a way to get to the starting point as you don’t have a car or a ride please do get in touch and we can see if we can organise a rideshare or similar.

Where can I stay?

We recommend camping the night before the event (and possibly the night after) at the Kyukamura Kagamiganaru Camp Site (休暇村鏡ケ成キャンプ場) at (or very near) the starting place. WE HAVE RESERVED SEVERAL CAMPING SPOTS ALREADY. IF YOU INTEND TO CAMP, PLEASE LET US KNOW AND WE WILL ARRANGE A SPOT FOR YOU. PRICE IS PER TENT AND ALSO PER PERSON. Alternatively, you could book a room at the nearby Kyukamura Oku-Daisen Hotel or at a hotel or campsite in Hiruzen. There are a few hotels in Hiruzen that are 15 minutes by car. More information on how to book these to follow soon. Please check back here later.

What will the weather be like? What sort of clothing/equipment will I need to bring?

The average temperature range on October 13th is from 17 degrees celcius to 10 degrees celsius.

Always hope for the best and prepare for the worst! However, in order to take part in the event we insist that you carry certain items and prove it to us at registration on the day. The essential items are:

• Headtorch/flashlight with sufficient charge or batteries. A wrong turn or even underestimating the difficulty of the course could lead you to finishing the challenge after the sun goes down. This would be dangerous if you don’t have a torch.

• A smartphone with tracking capabilities. The phone battery must be charged to at least 80 percent or you must have a means to charge it with you (portable battery and cable etc)

• Sufficient water. We recommend carrying at least 6 litres but insist you carry at least 4 litres.

• At least one piece of warm clothing such as a jacket or sweater. The temperature WILL drop dramatically after dark.

Other items that we highly recommend (but do not insist on to complete registration) are:

• Wear long trousers/pants/hiking tights as much of the route is through low vegetation. Your legs WILL get scratched if you wear short pants.

• Rainwear

• Good hiking boots or trail shoes

• Snacks/food - you will be on the trail for more than 10 hours! There is no where to buy food in the mountains!