Yatsugatake
A relatively safe mountain region where you can enjoy picking and choosing from an abundant array of courses, making planning easy.
Please make your plans according to the weather, your physical condition, and the experience levels/hiking abilities of those in your group.
The recommended trail entrance for all three mountain lodges is Sakuradaira (please see the map).
There are a great many ways to enjoy Yatsugatake in a short timeframe! Below are our recommended hiking plans.
Recommended Plans
Trail 1
Fully enjoy the Southern Alps on a round trip of southern Yatsugatake’s main peaks
Duration
2 Days
Difficulty
Intermediate
Start
Minotoguchi
Finish
Minotoguchi
| Day 1 | Minotoguchi → Minoto → Akadake Kosen → Mt. Iodake 2,760 m → Iodake Mountain Lodge (stay overnight). |
|---|---|
| Trail entrance to lodging: 5 hrs 30 min (excluding breaks) | |
| * Day 1 short version: Sakuradaira → Natsuzawa Kosen →Natsuzawa Pass → Mt. Iodake → Iodake Mountain Lodge. Trail entrance to lodging: 3 hrs (excluding breaks). The trail is easy to walk. | |
| Day 2 | Mountain Lodge → Mt. Yokodake 2,830m → Mt. Akadake 2,899ｍ → Gyoja Lodge → Minoto → Minotoguchi |
| Lodging to descent exit: 6 hrs 10 min | |
| * If you have spare time on Day 2, circumnavigating Mt. Amidadake (2,805 m / 9,203 ft.) after Mt. Akadake is also recommended (adds 1hr 15min to the course above). |
Trail 2
Enjoy Yatsugatake’s popular peaks (Mt. Iodake & Mt. Tengudake) in a short trip!
Duration
2 Days
Difficulty
Beginner
Start
Sakuradaira
Finish
Sakuradaira
| Day 1 | Sakuradaira → Natsuzawa Kosen → Neishidake Mountain Lodge → Mt. Nishi-Tengudake 2,646m → Neishidake Mountain Lodge (stay overnight) |
|---|---|
| Trail entrance to lodging: 4 hrs 30 min | |
| * After checking in and dropping off your luggage at the mountain lodge on Day 1, take a round trip to Mt. Tengudake. If the weather is poor, you can delay climbing Mt. Tengudake until the next day, for safety and/or clearer views. | |
| Day 2 | Mountain Lodge → Natsuzawa Pass →Mt. Iodake 2,760ｍ → Akaiwanokashira → Natsuzawa Kosen → Sakuradaira |
| Lodging to descent exit: 3 hrs 20 min | |
| * If you have spare time on Day 2, it is also possible to take a round trip from Mt. Iodake to the alpine plant treasure trove, Mt. Yokodake. Adds 2 hrs to the course above (excluding breaks). Toilets are available at Iodake Mountain Lodge. |
Trail 3
Make the most of the hot spring while also enjoying some leisurely hiking (recommended for beginners)
Duration
2 Days
Difficulty
Beginner
Start
Sakuradaira
Finish
Sakuradaira
| Day 1 | Sakuradaira → Natsuzawa Kosen |
|---|---|
| Trail entrance to lodging: 30 min | |
| * The 15:30 JR Chino Station East Exit Departure Shuttle Service (for guests of Natsuzawa Kosen only) can be used to reach Sakuradaira Trailhead. | |
| Day 2 | Plan ANatsuzawa Kosen → Natsuzawa Pass → Mt. Iodake 2,760 m → Akaiwanokashira → Natsuzawa Kosen → Sakuradaira |
| Lodging to descent exit: 4 hrs 10 min | |
| Plan BNatsuzawa Kosen → Neishidake Mountain Lodge → Mt. Nishi-Tengudake 2,646 m → Natsuzawa Kosen → Sakuradaira | |
| Lodging to descent exit: 5 hrs 40 min | |
| * The 14:30 Sakura Trailhead Departure Shuttle Service (for guests of Natsuzawa Kosen only) can be used to reach JR Chino Station. * Using the 9:15 JR Chino Station East Exit Departure Shuttle Service, you can try mountain climbing on the first day using either Plan A or Plan B. On the second day, you can use the 8:00 Sakura Trailhead Departure Shuttle Service to head to JR Chino Station. |
