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The highest ridgeline to the sky | Hiking to Mt. Kitadake, Southern Alps
There’s a question that always comes up—either when I’m hiking solo or chatting with fellow hikers:
“What are your three favorite peaks?”
It refers to mountains within Japan—not necessarily the celebrated ones from the Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains list. It’s about peaks that truly resonate with me, regardless of their height or fame—just the places I personally love.
For me, the answer includes Mt. Kitadake, alongside Mt. Iide and Mt. Moriyoshi. Mt. Kitadake is the second-highest peak in Japan, standing at 3,193 meters, just behind Mt. Fuji (3,776 meters). It’s well-known, and naturally, part of the said 100 Famous Mountains. During the brief summer hiking season—from late June to the end of September—it’s tough to book mountain huts, with crowds flocking to the trails. So, it’s definitely not a hidden gem in that sense.
But what truly fascinates me is the east face of Kitadake, famously known as the 'Kitadake Buttress'.
This massive granite wall rises roughly 600 meters, forming four distinctive gullies and faces that reach directly to the summit. It’s the highest climbing wall in Japan, and I’ve been absolutely captivated by it and climbed many times when I was a serious rock climber.
As mentioned before, Mt. Kitadake can get crowded in summer, yet it still offers a more comfortable experience compared to the heavily overrun trails of Mt. Fuji. But it’s not a casual hike that anyone can tackle without proper preparation—it’s a demanding route best suited for seasoned hikers equipped with the right gear.
Even during summer, early mornings at elevations above 3,000 meters can be bitterly cold. Warm layers and high-quality rainwear are essential. In contrast, daytime temperatures can feel surprisingly warm despite the altitude, so bringing at least two liters of water is crucial to stay hydrated.
Despite the physical demands, hiking along Japan’s highest and most panoramic ridgeline offers an experience that’s hard to forget. In June, Mt. Kitadake bursts into bloom with countless alpine flowers, unveiling the season’s breathtaking expression. For travelers seeking a truly memorable adventure, Mt. Kitadake stands out as an ideal choice for early summer exploration.
From the summit of Mt. Kitadake, you can see Mt. Fuji—Japan’s tallest peak—and Mt. Ainodake, the third highest, standing just beside it.
The Southern Alps (Minami-Alps) lie at the heart of Japan’s central mountain system, surrounded by iconic ranges such as the Northern Alps (Kita-Alps), Central Alps (Chūō-Alps), Yatsugatake, and Chichibu. I would say this route offers the most panoramic alpine trail in Japan.
Do keep in mind that summer afternoons often bring cloud cover or fog, due to the high humidity typical of Japan’s summer season. To ensure safety and enjoy clearer views, it’s best to start your hike very early in the morning and aim to finish by early afternoon.
The Southern Alps (Minami-Alps) lie at the heart of Japan’s central mountain system, surrounded by iconic ranges such as the Northern Alps (Kita-Alps), Central Alps (Chūō-Alps), Yatsugatake, and Chichibu. I would say this route offers the most panoramic alpine trail in Japan.
Do keep in mind that summer afternoons often bring cloud cover or fog, due to the high humidity typical of Japan’s summer season. To ensure safety and enjoy clearer views, it’s best to start your hike very early in the morning and aim to finish by early afternoon.
The Kitadake Buttress and the gully diverted from the Ookamba Valley form a striking route on the mountain’s east face. During the height of summer, climbing the wall can feel like being grilled on a cooking pan🍳—that’s how intense the heat gets. The best time to attempt it is in September, when temperatures are cooler. However, shorter daylight hours mean you'll need to ascend swiftly. But it's nothing to do with hikers🐾
For hikers, snow patches along Ookamba Valley often linger until the end of July, depending on the snowfall from the previous winter. To be safe, it's a good idea to bring chain spikes or other anti-slip gear.
For hikers, snow patches along Ookamba Valley often linger until the end of July, depending on the snowfall from the previous winter. To be safe, it's a good idea to bring chain spikes or other anti-slip gear.
There are four mountain huts aroundKitadake, Hirogawara-Sanso at the trailhead, Shirane-Oike-Goya at an elevation of 2,236 meters, Kitadake-Sanso at 2,884 meters, and Kitadake-Katanokoya at 3,015 meters, located just beside the summit.
These huts are quite basic—don’t expect anything fancy like the ones in Chamonix or Davos. Most rooms are dormitory-style, equipped with traditional Japanese futon bedding. Generally speaking, the quality tends to decline as elevation increases—in other words, the higher you go, the simpler it gets.
Personally, I recommend Shirane-Oike-Goya as a base for my guests, thanks to its ideal balance between accessibility to the summit and relative comfort. However, some prefer to stay above 3,000 meters to be closer to the alpine flowers at the top. In that case, Kitadake-Katanokoya or Kitadake-Sanso might be suitable options.
These huts are quite basic—don’t expect anything fancy like the ones in Chamonix or Davos. Most rooms are dormitory-style, equipped with traditional Japanese futon bedding. Generally speaking, the quality tends to decline as elevation increases—in other words, the higher you go, the simpler it gets.
Personally, I recommend Shirane-Oike-Goya as a base for my guests, thanks to its ideal balance between accessibility to the summit and relative comfort. However, some prefer to stay above 3,000 meters to be closer to the alpine flowers at the top. In that case, Kitadake-Katanokoya or Kitadake-Sanso might be suitable options.
Mt. Kitadake bursts into countless flower fields during the short alpine season, featuring distinctive species like Kitadake-So, which can only be found in the limited area between Kitadake-Sanso and Happonba-no-Col.
There are many mountains known for their wildflower meadows, especially in my beloved Tohoku region. But for true flower lovers, Kitadake is second to none.
The season is extremely limited—from late June to early July at best. Like many alpine areas, Kitadake has also felt the effects of global warming; the earlier you go, the better the conditions tend to be. Typically, the first shuttle bus to the Hirogawara trailhead starts running around the third weekend of June, but schedules can vary depending on winter snowfall. It’s best to check the official website of Minami-Alps City for the latest updates.
There are many mountains known for their wildflower meadows, especially in my beloved Tohoku region. But for true flower lovers, Kitadake is second to none.
The season is extremely limited—from late June to early July at best. Like many alpine areas, Kitadake has also felt the effects of global warming; the earlier you go, the better the conditions tend to be. Typically, the first shuttle bus to the Hirogawara trailhead starts running around the third weekend of June, but schedules can vary depending on winter snowfall. It’s best to check the official website of Minami-Alps City for the latest updates.
Mt. Kitadake / Kojiさんの間ノ岳・北岳・中白根山の活動データ | YAMAP / ヤマップ
