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Mount Kisokoma

Mount Kisokoma

As you exit the ropeway (round trip ~JPY4,500), you are immediately struck by how beautiful the Senjojiki cirque is. Makes it worth being packed like sardines in the ropeway car.

The route is well maintained and marked with signs to Komagadake (駒ヶ岳）or Colt Mountain. You can break the climb into 3 parts:
1. 40 min climb to the top of the cirque (乗越浄土) through a short series of switchbacks
2. 20 min walk past a couple of mountain huts, and a short 20 minute climb to Nakadake（中岳）
3. 15 minute descent to the last mountain hut and campsite, followed by a 25 min climb to the top of Kisokoma.

Notes:
1. There are trails in all directions, with some mountain huts sprinkled in. A good hiker could plan a really interesting route through this range, with plenty of scenic ridge hikes and well maintained trails
2. Houkendake is a short excursion from just behind the first mountain hut. Most people climbing it had helmets on. Some had rope for safety.
3. The descent from Nakadake can be tricky for newer hikers and might take a bit longer.

Samanyu

Japan

22 Aug 2023

Submit your own climbing note for Mount Kisokoma

Mount Ishizuchi

Mount Ishizuchi

Climb on Oct 8, 2015, clear, about 10-25C, perfect weather for hiking.

The main access point is the ropeway on Prefecture Road 12. Hiking up the mountain is relatively easy if you take the ropeway, which brings you from 455m to 1300m. From there, it took me about 2h15m to reach the "summit" and about 1h45m for the return trip (I am at best an average speed hiker). The trail is well marked, safe (you can avoid all the chains by walking ordinary trails), and with good shades. Difficult level is just 1-2 star and is an easy day hike.

It is a bit tricky on where is the summit. Officially, that should be Tengudake (天狗岳, 1,982m) but the trail takes you only to Misen (彌山, 1,974m). It is only a short distance from Misen to Tengudake but there is no trail, and the hike could be dangerous. Since there is already a sign showing 1,982m at Misen with temple, store, and even a small lodge around, many (include me) stops just there.

If you don't take the rope way, then the hike became difficult. My friend who did that before said the trail condition was also very good, just that it was a full day hike for him (above average speed). It is even more difficult if you need to use public transportation to the starting point (lower ropeway station).

There are only 4 buses a day leaving from the JR station Iyo-Saijo (伊予西条) (There is also a town called Saijo in Hiroshima Prefecture with a JR station, the Iyo in front of this one is to distinguish between the two) which takes 54m. The schedule to the ropeway is 7:43, 10:23, 13:33, and 16:13, and the return schedule is 9:12, 12:02, 15:17, and 17:22. That means you need to catch the 7:43 bus in order to finish the hike in one day without using the ropeway.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi to the ropeway for about JPY7,000 which gives you more control of your time. Don't plan to take taxi from the ropeway station back as I didn't see any. If you missed the last bus, prepare to spend the night in the Onsen Hotel near the ropeway station.

Karl Lung

Hong Kong

24 Oct 2015

Submit your own climbing note for Mount Ishizuchi

Hotakadake

Hotakadake

Hi Nuttinee:

The commenter Oik is incorrect: Mt. Fuji is open until September 10, and the huts on the mountain are open until then as well. How do I know this? Because I summited Mt Fuji on September 9, and because that is the date the official website gives.

However, I see that you are not asking about Mt Fuji. You are asking about some other climbs you can do. (Also, you have already climbed Mt Fuji yourself. Congratulations!)

Mt Hotakadake in Kamikochi can be dangerous in October, because there is an increased risk of snow and ice. The same is true for Yarigatake nearby. If you are prepared for these risks and are experienced, these could be good hikes. Both of these summits can be done in a day or as an overnight, and both have nice huts at the top for about 10,000 yen with dinner and breakfast. Yari is a much longer approach than Hotaka. But please be aware of the risks.

Yake is a popular day hike in Kamikochi but is at a lower elevation, so you could go in and out without needing a hut.

There are some nice hikes in the Hakuba region, as well. Shirouma is a good hike there, as well as Yari (it is not the same Yari that is in Kamikochi). Shirouma can be done as a long, strenuous day hike, or you can stay at one of the two huts at the summit for about 10,000 yen. Shirouma is beautiful and traverses a famous snow field, but again, in October there is a chance of ice and snow that can make the hike dangerous—it is mostly exposed, and very steep. Keep an eye on the weather and be prepared.

Good luck!

Matthew

Japan

15 Sep 2019

Click here to read 2 more climbing note(s) for Hotakadake

Mount Yakushi

Mount Yakushi

I climbed Yakushidake last year in mid August and will climb again in a few weeks. The climb is listed online as 8hr 10min to the top and a 5hr 30min descent which I would say is pretty accurate. Also don't forget to register your climb. If you've never climbed in Japan, you have to fill out a "Climbing Plan" (登山計画書). This is something you fill out so that the proper authorities know where to start looking if you go missing. You can fill it out using apps/websites like Compass (コンパス) or YAMAP.
Other approved methods are listed here on the prefectural police website:
https://police.pref.toyama.jp/6135/tetsuzuki/tozan/6-10.html

I use YAMAP and think it works well. I think it's only available in Japanese but even if you use another method to register your climb, YAMAP is worth a download cause it still has some useful information/maps about the mountain/trail/conditions. You can also see pictures other climbers have taken.

The trailhead is at Oritate (折立) and I recommend going by car (free parking with space for ~300 cars), though bus will also get you where you need to going, albeit only if you're good at managing your time. If I remember correctly, the bus only came once a day. This is a problem if you stay/camp near the top and then have to get back down before noon. It is doable but I was literally running down the mountain when I took the bus last year. Also if you don't reserve your bus ticket early enough, seats may fill up quickly, especially on long holidays/weekends and if you're departing from a large(r) station (like Toyama Station). This happened to me and I ended up reserving my ticket to depart from another bus stop and taking a train there before getting a direct shot to the trailhead. Inconvenient, yes, but doable.

I stayed at the mountain hut called "Yakushidake Sansou" (薬師岳山荘) for one night. It's near the top (about a 1.5-2 hour trek) so you can easily make it in time to watch the sunrise if you leave a bit early. It's an absolutely beautiful 360 panoramic view. You can also see the "Japanese Matterhorn", Yarigatake (槍ヶ岳) on your journey back down too.

There's another campground/lodge about 2 hours lower than Yakushidake Sansou called Tarodaira Goya (太郎平小屋) but if you are going by bus and aiming for only an overnight on the mountain, I would say it would be nearly impossible to get from that lodge to the top and then all the way back down in time to catch the bus.

Some of the trail is a bit not well marked but just keep your eyes out for the pink plastic ties that are on branches. Follow the "O" spray paint on rocks and you will be fine. Overall it's a really quite a safe climb and other climbers were really friendly to me. I am a woman and I went solo, encountering no difficulties or weirdos. However, I definitely recommend going with some friends in case of accidents/wildlife. I took a gnarly fall on some rocks on the way down and even though the trail is pretty good, the footing in some places is hecka sketchy, especially after rainfall. That or, just don't be in a rush trying to marathon the downward stretch trying to catch a bus.

Also there was a bear on the trail on the way up so I definitely recommend going in a group or at least with one other climber so you make enough noise and reduce the chances of unexpected encounters with wildlife. People eat/rest at the benches at Triangulation Point (三角点ベンチ) and about 10 minutes down from there was where the bear encounter had been. So as with any other trail, if you eat, keep the crumbs to a minimum and don't leave behind garbage.

Bring enough water as water at the hut is quite expensive (like 600 yen per 600ml bottle). There is also a vending machine near the trailhead and (supposedly) a water refill station there too. I couldn't find the water refill station though so I ended up topping off using the vending machine before I started out.

Bring a headlamp for early dawn climbing. Also bring your rain gear. Rain comes out of nowhere. Temperatures vary a bit (what's 32 C at the trailhead might be 15 C at the top) so check the weather and dress in layers.

Have fun! Yakushidake is worth the climb, crappy bus schedule and all lol.

Juri

Japan

18 Jul 2024

Submit your own climbing note for Mount Yakushi

Kita Dake

Kita Dake

Mt Kita hike. Even if there is a little snow on top (10-20cm) bring your crampons! Took about 6 hours up and 4 hours down.

dan

Japan

10 Nov 2016

Submit your own climbing note for Kita Dake

Tsubakuro Dake or Mt Tsubakuro

Tsubakuro Dake or Mt Tsubakuro

You need to go to Hotaka station by highway-bus or express trail from Shinjuku station.
From Hotaka Station, get to local bus to Nakabusa-Onsen where is trailhead of Mt.Tsubakuro.
In high season, there is some tour bus from Tokyo.

dai

Japan

27 Jun 2017

Click here to read 3 more climbing note(s) for Tsubakuro Dake or Mt Tsubakuro