(笠ヶ岳) Mt. Kasa Hike

This is a big mountain! A definite 2,000+ elevation gain, but stands alone (amongst the hyakumeizan) in this side of the mountain range with three of them right across it. 

Budget: JPY10,180 (~USD97)

• JPY8,000. Roundtrip bus, Tokyo < > Hirayu Onsen (using JBL bus pass), JPY4,000 one way.
• JPY1,380. Roundtrip bus, Hirayu Onsen < > Shinhotaka Ropeway, JPY690 one way.
• JPY800. Tent fee, per person.

Hike Date / Difficulty (Elevation: 2,898m / 9,508ft)

• Target 2021
• Difficulty: 5 out of 5.
• Route below is around 17.5kilometers, with an elevation change of ▲2,440m/ ▽2,294m
• PDF Map Link 

When to Go
Buses run throughout the year, but based on the logs, November to April are no-nos, so I'd avoid those. 

Special Notes

• Trailheads. Two mains ones, both of which is utilized in the itinerary below. 
• Shin-hotaka Onsen (新穂高温泉). This is bus stop H065 in the schedule below. Take note that you would want to stop at the last stop - Shihotaka Ropeway, NOT Shinhotaka Onsen. 
• Bus, Tokyo to Hirayu Onsen (平湯温泉). JPY4,000 one way, using JBL bus pass. Otherwise, JPY6,200 one way, reserve here.
• Bus, Hirayu Onsen to Shin-Hotaka Onsen. JPY690 one way. Bus schedule here. 
• Nakaokogen (中尾高原口). This is bus stop HO58 in the schedule below. 

Bus, Tokyo < > Hirayu Onsen

Bus, Hirayu Onsen to Shinhotaka Ropeway

• Mountain huts.
• Paid. 笠ヶ岳山荘. Right next to the summit, and for 2020, was open from mid July to mid October. Their business days depend on the helicopter delivery, so it's not fixed. JPY7,000, no meals. 
• Free. None. 
• Camping. There's one right next to the summit, facilitated by the paid hut.  There's another one about an hour and a half walk away from Shinhotaka Onsen trailhead. 

Itinerary
Friday

• 10:55pm. Bus, Shinjuku to Hirayu Onsen.
• 03:20am. ETA: Hirayu Onsen. Find a place to sit down and wait. 

Saturday

• 07:00am. Bus, Hirayu Onsen to Shinhotaka Ropeway.
• 07:27am. ETA: Nakaokogen-guchi
• 07:30am. Start hike. 
• 04:00pm. ETA: Summit

Sunday

• 06:00am. Start hike. 
• 12:00pm. ETA: Shinhotaka Onsen. Adjust itinerary as needed, based on onsen time. 
• 03:55pm. Bus, Shinhotaka Onsen to Hirayu Onsen.
• 04:28pm. ETA: Hirayu Onsen. 
• 05:05pm. Bus, Hirayu Onsen to Tokyo Station.