Southern Yatsu-gatake Mountains（The highest peak Mt. Aka-dake） hiking & climbing route

Route Guide

Nobeyama station is a starting point for this route. From the west side of the station, follow the paved road to Nobeyama plateau. It is a relaxing plateau hiking. When you pass Yatsu-gataka ranch from Nobeyama plateau, the trailhead will be reached. From the trailhead, proceed through the forest covered by Larch trees. It is an uphill through the fire belt. After passing the top of the fire belt, the trail becomes steeper but stable. Where the trail from Kiyosato meets is Sho-tengu junction.
Just ahead of the junction, the road sign of “Sho-tengu” stands. Through trees, the ridgelines among Mt. Yoko-dake, Mt. Aka-dake, and Mt. Gongen-dake can be seen. The variance in elevation from here to the ridgeline is about 700 m. The view will motivate ones will to climb. After passing the road sign of Sho-tengu, the trail becomes a steeper trail from the gradual slope. Maintain a pace where you do not get out of breath while walking. When you feel tired, make sure that you take a rest while standing. Kenzakai O’ne starts from Sho-tengu. Facing your direction, the left side is Yamanashi prefecture and the right side is Nagano prefecture. The ridgeline to the final destination, Mt. Aka-dake, is called Kenzakai O’ne.

After passing the road sign of “Dai-tengu”, the rocky areas with bridges appear. After climbing those parts, the trail comes to where chains are attached. This is the location where slab-like rocks are piled intermittently. There is a place where a slipping accident has occurred. Stay focused when you pass there. Also, snow might remain around here even in June, so caution must be exercised. Pass a traversing trail toward Akadake-tenbou-sou Mountain Hut on your right, then you will come just below Akadake-chojo-sanso Mountain Hut. The north peak of Mt. Aka-dake is located just above your head. From the front of the hut, walk through the rocky zone and the south peak will be reached. A fine sign for the summit stands and a small shrine of Aka-dake Shrine is located there. There is also a great view, one which might make you think that all of the mountains in the middle of the main island of Japan can be observed.

It is recommended that you stay at Akadake-chojo-sanso Mountain Hut, built on the summit of Mt. Aka-dake. The hut is known for its view of Mt. Fuji before sunrise. The hut is located at the highest altitude in the Yatsu-gatake mountains area. Also, Akadake-tenbo-sou Mountain Hut, locating where you descend towards Mt. Yoko-dake in about 20 minutes, is also a great place to stay. The hut is known for its alpine plants and bath.

On the next day, start from the summit of Mt. Aka-dake to Mt. Yoko-dake. Descend on the rocky ridgeline. There will be chains attached along the trail. If you are afraid of slipping, you may use those chains if necessary. In about 20 minutes, Akadake-tenbo-sou Mountain Hut will be reached. The junction where Jizo is worshiped, Jizo-no-atama, is located just ahead of the hut. When you descend from there, Gyoja-koya Mountain Hut will be reached. There will be no escape route from this point. If you are thinking of descending the mountains, you may descend from here. However, the trail is rocky so caution must be exercised. It takes about one hour to Gyoja-koya Mountain Hut.

For the course introduced here, go straight at Jizo-no-atama. Climb with the use of chains mounted to the rough rocks of Mt. Hino-dake. Proceed through the many peaks of Mt. Hino-dake, Mt. Hoko-dake, and Sekison-hou. Continue to hike while passing the Suwa and Saku areas, and then Yoko-dake Okuno-in will be reached. The descending trail from Okuno-in continues as a traversing trail with use of ladders or narrow rocky zones. Great caution must be exercised. Iou-dake-sanso Mountain Hut, surrounded by alpine plants, will be reached after descending on the west side of Daiza-no-kashira. Take a break, then proceed on the wide ridgeline. The summit of Mt. Iou-dake will be reached. That is the wide plateau where Kita-Yatsu-gatake can be observed. Take a long break then follow the cairne while separating from the trail towards Natsuzasa Pass. Follow the trail towards Akaiwa-no-atama. Do not slip on the collapsing areas along the trail.

Akaiwa-no-kashira junction will be reached if you climb shortly after the saddle. Follow the road sign through the forest, then Akadake Kousen will be reached. The ridgeline from Mt. Yoko-dake to Mt. Iou-dake can be seen if you look back. Enjoy the view and follow through the forest zone to Minoto. Three huts and a parking lot are located here. From Minoto-guchi, Minoto is available by car. In about a 50-minutes’ walk on the logging road, Minoto-guchi, where buses depart to Chino station, will be reached.