Being confronted with the Satsuma army's violent gunfight and close fighting with swords by taking advantage of the terrain, the main force gave up the frontal breakthrough of Tabaru Slope without making any counterattack and changed the plan to capture Mt. Yokohira (Mt. Nachi) by attacking the west side of the Satsuma army.
しかし、主力軍は地形を存分に利用した薩軍の激しい銃撃と、抜刀白兵戦に手も足も出ず、田原坂の正面突破を諦めて、西側から攻めて横平山（那智山）を奪うことにした。