Mt. Kiso-Komagatake, Senjojiki Cirque

HOME Back

My Favorites

${v.title}

${v.desc | trunc(25)}

${v.title}

${v.desc | trunc(25)}

View All

Use the

Planning a Trip to Japan?

Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp

Highlights

Despite its high elevation, the route from Senjojiki Cirque to Mt. Kiso-Komagatake is relatively gentle and suitable for beginners. Rest areas and mountain lodges along the way such as Houken Sanso, make for a comfortable hike. At 950 meters, Komagatake Ropeway boasts the largest height difference in Japan, and will take you up to Senjojiki in just minutes. The ropeway, and Hotel Senjidajiki at the summit station, are open all year round. Komagane Tourist Association has English brochures for exploring the area.

The best time to visit is from summer to autumn when conditions are good for hiking. In summer, the area is covered in some 150 varieties of delicate alpine flowers. Hikers may also see rare wildlife such as antelopes, ptarmigans, and weasels in summer. Environmental conservation efforts include off-limits zones to protect plants and wildlife. In autumn, the views of colorful foliage from the Komagatake ropeway are spectacular.

On a clear day, hikers can see the Northern and Southern Japanese Alps from the top of Mt. Kiso-Komagatake. Near the foot of the mountain, Narai-juku is a traditional post town on the ancient Kiso and Nakasendo roads that retains a traditional atmosphere. Ina, located between the Northern and Southern Japanese Alps has many lodging facilities and restaurants. Nagano is also rich in hot springs, such as Hayataro Hot Spring Village, and Shirahone Onsen in Matsumoto.

Mt. Kiso-Komagatake (2,956 m) is the tallest mountain in the Central Japanese Alps in Nagano Prefecture, towering over its neighboring peaks. It has many courses of varying difficulties, but the course that lets hikers ascend via ropeway from Shirabidaira to the Senjojiki Cirque and stroll along the relatively gentle path surrounded by alpine wildlife is one that even beginners can safely enjoy. A roundtrip hike takes about four hours, but staying the night in a mountain hut gives the opportunity to stargaze (weather permitting). Rest and relax afterward with a soak at one of the nearby hot springs.

Detail

Duration 1day / 4hours
Highest Point 2,956m
Elevation Gain 350m
Horizontal Distance 8km

* Duration is an estimate and may vary depending on route and pace.

Reference: Mt. Kiso-Komagatake Round Trip from Senjojiki Cirque

Access

From JR Shinjuku Station, take the JR Chuo Line Limited Express for about 2.5 hours to Okaya Station. From there, take the JR Iida Line for an hour and 20 minutes to JR Komagane Station. Then, take a 45-minute bus from there to Shirabidaira Station. From there, take the ropeway to Senjojiki.