Mt. Nishihotaka

Mt. Nishihotaka (西穂高岳, 2,909 m), on the border of Matsumoto (Nagano) and Takayama (Gifu), is the western peak of the Hotaka range and one of the 100 Highest Mountains.
The Shinhotaka Ropeway lifts you straight to Nishihotakaguchi Station at 2,156 m, making it one of the easiest 3,000 m-class ridges in the Northern Alps to reach — but beyond the Nishiho Doppyo the route becomes a rocky ridge of chains and narrow crests, and the main peak is for experienced climbers. The usual route takes the ropeway up to Nishihotakaguchi, with a night at the Nishiho Sanso hut, climbing the Doppyo and the main peak and back. By public transport you reach Shin-Hotaka Onsen and climb from Nishihotakaguchi by ropeway.

The base is Nishihotakaguchi Station of the Shinhotaka Ropeway (2,156 m); via the Nishiho Sanso hut (2,385 m, about 1 h 10 m–1 h 30 m), Maruyama (about 20 m) and the Nishiho Doppyo (about 1 h) you reach Mt. Nishihotaka (about 3 h 30 m–4 h one way from Nishihotakaguchi). A night at the Nishiho Sanso hut, climbing the Doppyo and main peak and back, is usual. The Nishiho Sanso is the only year-round hut in the southern Northern Alps; as far as Maruyama it is a family-friendly walk, but beyond that mountaineering gear is needed.
Use the Nishiho Sanso hut (open year-round, tel 0263-36-7052 [9:30–16:30, except Sun/holidays]) as a base. The season is mid-July to early October once the snow has gone; before that, front-point crampons and an ice axe are needed. The Jandarme ridge from the main peak to Mt. Okuhotaka is one of the hardest variation routes in Japan and is outside the scope of this article.

*Information last checked: June 14, 2026

How to access the trailhead

1. [Outbound] Takayama → Shin-Hotaka Onsen (trailhead)
2. [Return] Shin-Hotaka Onsen (trailhead) → Takayama
3. [Round trip] Shinhotaka Ropeway (Shin-Hotaka Onsen ⇄ Nishihotakaguchi)

1. [Outbound] Takayama → Shin-Hotaka Onsen (trailhead)

The Hida-side base is the Takayama Nohi Bus Center in front of JR Takayama Station; from here take the Nohi Bus via Hirayu Onsen to the Shinhotaka Ropeway (Shin-Hotaka Onsen) — about 1 hour 45 minutes, fare 2,200 yen. Hirayu Onsen is the transfer hub; you can also reach Shin-Hotaka Onsen from Matsumoto via Shin-Shimashima and Sawando (Matsumoto–Shin-Hotaka Onsen 3,910 yen, by reservation). From Shin-Hotaka Onsen take the ropeway up to Nishihotakaguchi (see ③ below).

Bus timetable ①: Takayama Nohi BC → Shinhotaka Ropeway (Nohi Bus, outbound)

From the Matsumoto side: take the Matsumoto Dentetsu to Shin-Shimashima Station, then the Alpico Kotsu bus via Sawando and Hirayu Onsen to Shin-Hotaka Onsen (by reservation). By car: use the hikers’ car parks at Shin-Hotaka Onsen (Nabedaira Kogen and others).

Reference: [Nohi Bus — Shin-Hotaka Line]

2. [Return] Shin-Hotaka Onsen (trailhead) → Takayama

After descending, take the ropeway down to Shin-Hotaka Onsen and the Nohi Bus back to the Takayama Nohi Bus Center (bus about 1 hour 45 minutes). The return buses to Takayama run hourly, so keep margin for the last one. Allow plenty of time on the long descent from Mt. Nishihotaka so as not to miss the last ropeway (around 16:45 in summer).

Bus timetable ②: Shinhotaka Ropeway → Takayama Nohi BC (Nohi Bus, return)

Reference: [Nohi Bus — Shin-Hotaka Line]

3. [Round trip] Shinhotaka Ropeway (Shin-Hotaka Onsen ⇄ Nishihotakaguchi)

From Shin-Hotaka Onsen Station, take the first ropeway (departures at :00 and :30 each hour) to Nabedaira Kogen and Shirakaba-daira, then change to the second ropeway (departures at :15 and :45 each hour) to Nishihotakaguchi Station at 2,156 m (about 25 minutes in all). It runs 8:30–16:00 (9:00–15:30 in winter, varying by season); the connecting round-trip fare is 3,800 yen for an adult. In 2026 it is closed for maintenance on June 15–26 and November 24–27. Extra services run at busy times.

Ropeway timetable ③: Shin-Hotaka Onsen ⇄ Nishihotakaguchi (Shinhotaka Ropeway)

Closure note: in 2026 all services are suspended for maintenance on June 15–26 and November 24–27. In winter (December–March) hours are shortened to 9:00–15:30. If you miss the last car you cannot get down, so leave plenty of time.

Reference: [Shinhotaka Ropeway — official]

Route and safety notes

Route (from Nishihotakaguchi): Nishihotakaguchi → Nishiho Sanso (about 1 h 10 m–1 h 30 m) → Maruyama (about 20 m) → Nishiho Doppyo (about 1 h) → Pyramid Peak → Mt. Nishihotaka (about 50 m). It is about 3 h 30 m–4 h one way from Nishihotakaguchi to the main peak, usually with a night at the Nishiho Sanso to climb the Doppyo and main peak and back.

Hut: the Nishiho Sanso (about 2,385 m, the only year-round hut in the southern Northern Alps, tel 0263-36-7052 [9:30–16:30, except Sun/holidays], with a campsite). Parties of 1–7 can book online; 8 or more, and private rooms, by phone only.

As far as Maruyama: from the Nishiho Sanso to Maruyama (about 2,452 m) is fairly gentle, and the ropeway round trip plus a walk to Maruyama is popular with families; the view opens out to Mt. Kasa and Mt. Yake.

Beyond the Nishiho Doppyo (for the experienced): from the Doppyo to the main peak you cross nine small summits on a rocky ridge, with a steep drop off the Doppyo, the Pyramid Peak, chains just below the main peak and narrow knife-edges. Wet rock raises the danger sharply, so turn back at Maruyama or the Doppyo in bad weather. A helmet is essential.

Toward the Jandarme: the ridge from Mt. Nishihotaka to Mt. Okuhotaka (the Jandarme) is one of the hardest variation routes in Japan; general hikers should not enter.

Ropeway closures: in 2026 it is closed June 15–26 and November 24–27. If you miss the last car (around 16:45 in summer) you cannot get down.

Season and gear: the season is mid-July to early October; in the snow season front-point crampons and an ice axe are essential. Carry rain gear, warm clothing, a helmet and a headlamp.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
Check the latest via the Nagano and Gifu Northern Alps mountain-rescue councils.

Photo by Raita Futo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0