Mt. Yari-gatake hiking & climbing route

Route Guide

From the bus stop at Shin-hotaka Onsen, cross Kamata River and continue to walk past some hotels. Pass a parking zone then cross Kamata River Hidarimata, followed by a logging road. It will be a monotonous walk for a while. Pass Kasa-shindou Trailhead on your left then you will reach Wasabi-daira koya Mountain hut. Take a first break here. It takes about 20 minutes from the hut to Koike-shindou Trailhead.

The trail separates from Samata rindou logging road and begins to climb along the stream. The view of Mt. Yari-gatake and Hotaka Mountains can be seen when approaching Chichibu-sawa-deai. Water can be replenished from anywhere in Chichibu-sawa stream. From Itadori-gahara, the slope becomes steep. Take a sharp turn at Shishido-gahara and continue to walk through Kuma-no-odoriba. Kagami-daira will be reached. Mt. Yari-gatake and Hodaka mountains are reflected in the water surface. Kadami-daira sanso Mountain hut is located just ahead of the pond.

A meadow spreads out in front of the hut. The trail becomes steeper till you reach Yumiori Junction.

Continue the trail and pass a white-brown plateau. After a few ups and downs, Kuroyuri bench is reached. A saddle, where Sugoroku koya Mountain hut is located, can be reached by following the dried up stream from the bench. To reach Mt. Sugoroku-dake, it is recommended to take a round trip on the ridgeline route from Maki-michi junction. The view from Mt. Sugoroku-dake is fantastic, especially the view of Mt. Yari-gatake and Hotaka mountains. Enjoy the view and return to Sugoroku-koya Mountain hut then head out to Mt. Yari-gatake.

From Sugoroku-koya Mountain hut, start hiking up to Mt. Momisawa-dake. This trail is very steep so hike at a steady pace. Mt. Momisawa-dake is reached when the steep slope becomes flatter. The sharp summit of Mt. Yari-gatake can be seen clearly from the top. Hike down the slope on Yumada side to reach Hida side, where a field of flowers spread.

The trail become steep from Ganreki saddle. Follow the ridgeline, where beautiful alpine plants can be found. After you reach Iou-nokkoshi, continue to the plateau on Senjo-sawa side of the branch stream of Yumata River. This place is like a Japanese garden where big stones scatter though Pinus pumila. The shores of Senjo-sawa can be seen just below your feet.

Cross the saddle to Hida side, where a rocky slope begins. Use chains for your safety.
At a signpost to Mt. Yari-gatake, go on a slope on Senjo-sawa side. Senjo-nokkoshi is reached where the slope ends at the ridgeline. Follow a slightly unstable ridgeline to Yari-gatake sanso Mountain hut. The summit of Mt. Yari-gatake is approached from here using chains and ladders through a rocky zone. To descend, hike down from Yarisawa to Yokoo then walk back to Kamikochi.