大キレット
The Yarigatake to Mt. Hotaka Circuit
Elevation: 3190m
Prefecture
Nagano
Distance
35 km
Elevation Change
➚ 2600m ➘ 2600m
Time
3 - 4 Days
Difficulty
5/5
Accommodation
Huts & Campgrounds
Overview
The Kamikochi, Yarigatake, and Mt. Hotaka circuit is the most revered hike in Japan. It covers both the 3rd and 5th highest mountains in Japan while also including a notorious ridgeline known as the daikiretto.
The daikiretto is a steep and technical ridgeline that requires rock climbing on a narrow section of rock with dangerous drops on each side. Most of the rock climbing is assisted with chains and bolts, but the risk is quite high in some places and people have died here before. However, as scary as it sounds, no rock climbing gear is required and it's a popular trail - people of all ages complete it without problems, including the elderly. You will need to be okay with rock climbing on exposed terrain, so prior experience with heights is recommended, and good weather conditions are absolutely essential.
Completed over 3-4 days, the loop starts in Kamikochi (or Shinhotaka) with the first day spent hiking up to Yarigatake and sleeping at the Yarigatake mountain hut. The second day is spent hiking along the daikiretto, on the second day most people choose to stay at the large Hotaka-dake mountain hut as this gives an even distribution of hiking time across the 3 days. However, this is not the most scenic option. The views at the Kita-Hotaka mountain hut are profoundly superior, looking out over the Daikiretto and Yarigatake. The Kita-Hotaka mountain hut is also more charming, with beautiful rooms and a warm cozy atmosphere. So if you don't mind 9-10 hours of hiking for the 3rd day, then I recommend the Kita-Hotaka hut.
If you choose the Kita-Hotaka hut, then the 3rd and final day includes a 4 hour hike across to Mt. Hotaka which also involves a lot of risky rock climbing similar to the daikiretto, and then a final 5 hour descent back to Kamikochi. You can make this hike easier by extending it to 4 days if you stay at another mountain hut, such as Dakesawa, which is a few hours below Mt. Hotaka.
Access
Car
If using a car you'll also need to catch a bus from the Sawando Parking Area (Closer to Matsumoto) or the Hirayu Parking Area, the bus will take about 30 minutes from the parking lot.
Direct Bus
There is a direct bus from Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo. You can view all the details and make reservations here. The price ranges from ¥10,000 to ¥13,000.
Cheapest Option
For Kyoto and Osaka, there is a direct bus to the Shinhotaka ropeway which can also be used to access the mountains in Kamikochi. You can make reservations here, it's only ¥7500.
Train + Bus
You can also come from Matsumoto Station or from Gifu prefecture's Takayama Station. The official Kamikochi website provides a detailed overview of all the travel times and options.
Note: Kamikochi is closed from 15th Nov to the end of April
Accommodation
Unfortunately, most mountain huts only accept reservations over the phone. But if you're camping in a tent then a reservation is usually not required, unless it's on public holidays.
Mountain Huts
There is also some etiquette to follow for mountain huts in Japan, you can read a helpful overview here.
The cost to stay at the huts will vary, but the price is usually similar:
¥9000 - ¥10,000: Bed without meals
¥11,000 - ¥14,000: Bed with 1 or 2 meals (optional bento for hiking)
¥1000 - ¥2000: Tent without meals
¥1500 - ¥2000: Additional bento or dinner (some huts don't offer dinner for tent sites)
Kamikochi Hotels
It's quite common to also book a hotel in Kamikochi or Matsumoto. It's best to book early, you can usually find the best prices on booking.com.
Maps
Japanese Online Map: Yamap.com
Weather and Seasons
Summer and autumn, from July to October, are the best times for hiking in Kamikochi. There is likely to be snow hanging around until June and alpine gear will be required during this time. The rainy season occurs from June to early July. The autumn leaves will be colourful from late September to mid-October. Kamikochi is closed during winter, from November to April.
Useful links
Trail Description
Day 1
Kamikochi to Yarigatake via the Higashikama Ridge
GPS Hiking Map: outdooractive.com
Time: 8-9 hrs
Distance: 20km
Elevation change: ➚ 1700m gain ➘ 140m loss
From the bus stop at Kamikochi, you will have a nice leisurely walk along the river for 3 hours before the elevation starts to increase. About 4-5 hours from the bus stop you'll reach an intersection, the trail straight ahead continues up the valley, the trail to your right heads up to the ridgeline. Ironically, the most popular trail up the valley is somewhat monotonous - you will spend hours on switchbacks with no views, and only save about 30 mins. By comparison, the ridgeline trail on the right is full of interesting features, has a variety of terrain, and stunning views.
Once you reach the Yarigatake Mountain Hut, where you will spend the night, drop off your gear and hike another 20 minutes to catch the sunset from the peak.
Note: You can also start from Shinhotaka
Kamikochi
Higashikama Intersection
Higashikama Ridge
Yarigatake Mountain Hut
→ ⏲ 5 Hours →
→ ⏲ 1 Hour →
→ ⏲ 2 Hours →
→ ⏲ 20 mins →
Higashikama Intersection
Higashikama Ridge
Yarigatake Mountain Hut
Yarigatake Peak
Day 2
Yarigatake to Kita-Hotaka
GPS Hiking Map: outdooractive.com
Time: 6 hrs (to reach the Kita-Hotaka hut)
Distance: 6 km
Elevation change: ➚ 660m gain ➘ 620m loss
Wake up early and try to catch the sunrise from the peak of Yarigatake, then make your way across the ridgeline to Minamidake. Once you reach the Minamidake mountain hut the daikiretto begins, they serve a great ramen if you want to stop for lunch. The daikiretto itself will take about 3 hours, giving you plenty of time to check-in to the Kita-Hotaka hut and watch the sunset.
If you want to reduce the hiking time for the third day, you can keep skip the Kita-Hotaka hut and hike an extra 3-4 hours to reach the Mt. Hotaka Sanso hut.
The final climb up Yarigatake
Day 3
Descending down toward Kamikochi
Day 3
Kita-Hotaka to Oku-Hotaka and Kamikochi
GPS Hiking Map: outdooractive.com
Time: 9-10 hrs
Distance: 10 km
Elevation change: ➚ 410m gain ➘ 1910m loss
Today is a big day, over 9 hours of hiking and rock climbing as you ascend Oku-Hotaka and then make your way back to Kamikochi.
After watching the sunrise from Kita-Hotaka, you will begin your journey to Japan's third highest mountain, Oku-Hotaka. It will take about 4 hours to get there and involves a lot of steep rock climbing similar to the daikiretto. Once you reach Oku-Hotaka you will have sweeping 360° views, including a jagged ridgeline called the Gendarme. The Gendarme is considered the most technical and dangerous ridgeline in Japan, it connects Oku-Hotaka to the Shinhotaka Ropeway.
From Oku-Hotaka you'll follow an amazing trail to Mae-Hotaka, this will take nearly 2 hours. From here it will take nearly 4 hours to reach Kamikochi, so take note of the last bus departure time as you may need to camp one more night if you don't make it down in time. You can save 40 minutes if you skip the peak of Mae-Hotaka.
Elevation Profile
Day 1: Kamikochi to Yarigatake Mountain Hut
Day 2: Yarigatake to Kita-Hotaka
Day 3: Kita-Hotaka to Kamikochi
Cautions
Altitude
Rock climbing
Monkeys
Bears (rare)
Gallery
Difficulty: 5/5
Distance: 35km
Time: 3 - 4 Days
Elev. Change: ➚ ➘ 2600m
Prefecture: Nagano
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