It is the North Mountain of the Southern Alps, and believe me, I got utterly confused learning the Japanese for this hike. Tricky Japanese aside, this hike has given me one of the most magical views of Mt. Fuji both for sunrise and sunsets, and I cannot recommend doing this mountain enough, both for fit beginners and experienced hikers.
Budget: JPY8,260 (~USD81)
- JPY4,360. Local trains, Tokyo area < > Kofu Station. (JPY2,180 one way)
- JPY3,900. Bus, Kofu Station < > 広河原. (JPY1,950 one way)
Hike Date / Difficulty (Elevation: 3,193m / 10,476ft)
- July 14-16, 2018; June 22-23, 2019
- Difficulty: 4 out of 5.
- Route below is around 10.8kilometers, with an elevation change of ▲1,917m/ ▽1,917m
- Map Link
When to GoThe bus only runs from latter June to early November, and private cars are not allowed to the trailhead, so that's a restriction. Others go as far as possible though and just walk a couple of hours to the trailhead.
If climbing before mid-July, there may be some snow left on the trail that passes through the lower part of the mountains and locals actually strongly discourage taking that route (the lower trail on the map above, not highlighted in red).
Special Notes- Weather forecast. English / Japanese. English more detailed, Japanese more accurate.
- If hiking from July, make sure to bring a net for your head, as there is plenty of bugs particularly past Shirakane-Oike. Once you reach the ridge the bugs are gone, but that's quite some time just waving your hands in front of your face.
- Trailhead: Hirakawara (広河原).
- Train, Tokyo to Kofu Station (甲府駅)
- Bus, Kofu Station (甲府駅) to 広河原.
- Buses are not running for 2020, but here's the schedule for 2019. JPY1,950 one way. Cash only, and if you're taking the earliest bus, the collectors may not have a lot of change so do try to make it exact.
- Cars are not allowed to the trailhead, so if you're driving, you'll need to drive and park, then take the bus.
- Mountain huts.
- Paid. I've actually been to all these three. Starting 2021, some reservations are online.
- Shirakane-oike (白根御池小屋). Futon type, with women and men separated rooms. Plenty of tables inside and outside.
- Katanogoya (北岳肩の小屋). Less than an hour from the summit, but the hut is the biggest no-no. Imagine a big floor, and you are given half a meter wide space to put your sleeping bag on, and if you don't have a sleeping bag, you pay an additional JPY1,000 fee! And this is after paying JPY4,700! And you are not even allowed to go inside the hut or anything! Really, worst deal ever. If possible, push on the next hour and go to Kitadake-sansou. However, the camp site in the area has a great view of Mt. Fuji.
- Kitadake-sansou (北岳山荘). Futon type. The place is huge, has wifi if I remember correctly, and free charging! Highly recommended. It is also in between Kitadake and Ainodake, so it's a perfect spot to try to summit both mountains.
- Free. None.
- Camping. Next to all of the paid mountain huts above.
- I would recommend doing this with Ainodake, climbing via Kitadake summit and staying at Kitakade-sansou for day 1, and the summiting Ainodake at day 2.
- In one hike, we arrived at Katanogoya camp site before 2pm and my partner just did Ainodake while I sleep, and was back in two or three hours.
Itinerary
Friday- Train, Tokyo to Kofu Station. Stay in Kofu Station area. Some people sleep in front of the station. In our case, we camped in the castle nearby (google maps pin). Someone did see us set up camp, but he just let us be. Simple rule - leave no trace.
Saturday- 04:35am. Bus, Kofu Station to 広河原
- 06:28am. ETA: 広河原
- 06:30am. Start hike.
- 02:00pm. Arrive at Katanogoya, set up camp. Summit Kitadake and go back to camp.
Sunday- 06:00am. Enjoy the sunrise, head back down.
- 11:00am. Back at 広河原.
- 11:00am. Bus, 広河原 to Kofu Station.
- 12:55pm. ETA: Kofu Station. Train, Kofu Station to Tokyo.
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| Do you see what's behind this building (toilet)? No? Good. |
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| The loooooong line for Hirakawara at 4am! In our case they had another bus to cover the remaining passengers that didn't fit the first one. Make sure to bring cash, and if possible, the exact amount. |
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| The bus at the trailhead. |
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| Follow the signs - or the crowd. |
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| There's a bridge to be crossed, and then the hike officially starts. |
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| This is my view looking back at Shirakane-oike (白根御池小屋). |
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| Same view as above, but on June. |
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| Back to the summer hike. Kitadake sees plenty of beautiful flowers in summer. |
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| See? |
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| The walk at the ridge. |
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| The ridge. |
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| Taking a look back. |
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| A rather steep section. Not a lot of these. |
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| My almost USD50 dollar accommodation. Yes, it's that little space with someone to my left and right. |
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| For the June hike, we decided to camp. See Mt. Fuji in the background? |
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| Back to July. Plenty of campers. |
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| I had some spam while looking at Fuji. |
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| Sunset. |
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| Sunrise. Or the start of sunrise. |
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| Hey sun! |
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| Ok, that was blinding. |
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| View of Mt. Fuji from the summit. |
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| Another pic. Coz why not. |
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| Looking down at the trail to Ainodake. You can see Kitadake-sansou in the ridge. It's much bigger than it looks like. |
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| Aaaand we're heading back down, ending our hike. |
Fantastic blog, LP. Quick question re: this comment "If climbing before mid-July, there may be some snow left on the trail that passes through the lower part of the mountains and locals actually strongly discourage taking that route (the right trail on the map above)". I am confused by which trail is the right trail (to avoid before mid-July) you are referring to - it will depend on which way one is looking at the map. Could you kindly confirm? Thanks, BJ.
ReplyDeleteHi! thank you. Sorry, I meant the lower trail, the one NOT highlighted in red if it makes sense?
DeleteHi! Thank you for this blog. Is it doable for a 1 day hike?
Deletehey, depends on how fast you are.
DeleteI worked it out, but thank you kindly for confirming anyway.
ReplyDeleteHello, do you know the website or contact number to book a stay at Kitadake-sansou (北岳山荘)? I am planning to climb on July 20. Thanks.
ReplyDeletehello, seems like you can do it online : https://www.city.minami-alps.yamanashi.jp/docs/kitadake-sansou.html
Deletebut here's the phone number 080-6775‐7012
Did I read correctly the hut you recommend if ¥9000 p/p?
ReplyDeleteat the time of writing, yes.
DeleteIs the only way to contact them by phone?
Deleteis there another way other than phone number to contact them? Also, where did you stay in Kofu?
ReplyDeletenone that i know of, unfortunately. You can also just show up and beg (yep, I've done that before I knew what to do)
DeleteKofu... I have at one point just wild camped at a park nearby. Another time found a hostel about 20 minute walk away from the station.
Is there a way to reach out to them by email? Also, did you stay in Kofu?
ReplyDeletenone that i know of, and yes I stayed in Kofu. When I went, plenty of people just legit sleep in front of the train station with their backpacks. I wanted to camp, so I had to find a less conspicuous place.
DeleteHi, I will go hike in next august and have some questions. Do we need to do reservation for the bus from kofu to hirogawara? Could you please give the bus website to make reservation? Any permit do we need to apply for kitadake hike? Which website to apply?
ReplyDeleteThanks
hello! I went last year (2023) - there's no bus reservation, you will have to fall in line.
Deleteno permit required, but if you are staying overnight at the hut, you will have to reserve online first (links on the main post)
Hello, I will hike and camp next month, do I need to make reservation for setting up a tent? Or I can just rent a camping space at the day of the hike. Thank youu
ReplyDeletegenerally camping spots are first come first served (no reservations). However, the past two years, i am seeing some camp spots requiring reservations too, so I would suggest checking the site of hut/camp spot you plan to stay at.
DeleteHello po. Nagpapa rent ba sila ng tent sa kata-no-koya mountain hut? or kailangan magdala ako Sarili? Salamat po
ReplyDeletenot that i know of, bring your own. :)
DeleteHi :) ask ko lang 4am lang talaga yung bus or may ibang oras din?
ReplyDeletethere's a bus throughout the day. you can see the bus schedule above. :) though always check for the latest one.
DeleteHi miss Lost Filipina, Can I ask if need ba ng reservation kahit naka tent lang?
ReplyDeletesome do, most don't. I suggest you check the website for the latest info.
Deletehello po:) balak namin umakyat ng august- necessary ba magdala ng maraming clothes para sa cold weather, and necessary din ba magdala ng portable stoves to cook own food? and meron ba silang hot coffee sa morning/breakfast foods..thnk u in advance😘
ReplyDeleteif you have a good down jacket, that should be good enough. what you bring depends on whether or not you are camping or staying in the hut.
DeleteIf you are staying in the hut and willing to pay for it, then you just need to bring your normal dayhike gear (e.g. raingear) plus a change of clothes for the next day. most huts have dinner and bfast included, with lunchbox an option too. coffee is pretty rare in the huts, just hot tea.
If you are camping, then you should already be experienced enough to know what to bring. :)
Do you know if Dispersed camping is allowed. (Camping outside the huts areas.)
ReplyDeleteNo, it's not allowed. Other hikes you can easily get away with wild camping, but kitadake is quite crowded so you will be too obvious. If you go off season (e.g. winter), then probably ok.
Delete