Mt. Nukedo

Mt. Nukedo (抜戸岳, 2,813 m), in Takayama (Gifu) in the Hida Mountains (Northern Alps), is one of the 100 Highest Mountains.
A peak on the ridge just north of Mt. Kasa, it is usually climbed together with Mt. Kasa. The great landslide scar on its east face gives the mountain its name (“nuke”), and from the rocky ridge above the tree line there is a grand view of Mt. Yari and the Hotaka range. The usual route climbs the Kasa Shindo from Shin-Hotaka Onsen, with a night at the Kasagatake Sanso hut, taking in Mt. Kasa as well. By public transport you reach Shin-Hotaka Onsen and climb the Kasa Shindo.

The base is Shin-Hotaka Onsen (about 1,090 m); along the Hidari-mata forest road to the Kasa Shindo trailhead, you climb steeply to Shakushidaira and pass the Nukedodake junction to Mt. Nukedo. It is about 6 hours 30 minutes from Shin-Hotaka Onsen to Mt. Nukedo, usually with a night at the Kasagatake Sanso hut beyond it to climb Mt. Kasa as well. The Kasa Shindo climbs about 1,000 m from the trailhead to Shakushidaira — one of the steepest climbs in the Northern Alps — with no water source, so carry water with a plan.
Use the Kasagatake Sanso hut (open roughly early July to mid-October, reservations only, tel 090-7020-5666 [Tochio-so 0578-89-2404]; confirm the 2026 dates and booking with the official site) 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. As the Kasa Shindo is steep, a loop descending the Koike Shindo (via Kagamidaira) can also be arranged.

*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

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) — 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 the Shin-Hotaka Onsen bus stop, walk the Hidari-mata forest road to the Koike Shindo trailhead.

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

Trailhead: from Shin-Hotaka Onsen it is about 1 hour along the Hidari-mata forest road to the Kasa Shindo trailhead (just before the Wasabidaira hut). 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 Nohi Bus from Shin-Hotaka Onsen back to the Takayama Nohi Bus Center. The last bus to Takayama leaves around 18:35, so keep margin on the long descent from Mt. Nukedo and Mt. Kasa. The Kasa Shindo descent is steep and slippery, so set off early with time to spare for the last bus.

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

Reference: [Nohi Bus — Shin-Hotaka Line]

Route and safety notes

Route (Kasa Shindo): Shin-Hotaka Onsen → Kasa Shindo trailhead (about 1 h) → Shakushidaira (about 4 h) → Nukedodake junction (about 1 h 30 m) → Mt. Nukedo (about 5 m). It is about 6 hours 30 minutes from Shin-Hotaka Onsen to Mt. Nukedo, usually as a two-day trip with a night at the Kasagatake Sanso hut, taking in Mt. Kasa (about 1 hour from the junction).

The Kasa Shindo: from the trailhead to Shakushidaira it climbs about 1,000 m in one go — one of the steepest climbs in the Northern Alps — with no water source. Fill up at the trailhead and start early. From Shakushidaira the cirque of Mt. Nukedo and Mt. Kasa opens out.

Huts: beyond Mt. Nukedo, just below Mt. Kasa, is the Kasagatake Sanso (roughly early July to mid-October, reservations only, tel 090-7020-5666, with a campsite; confirm the 2026 dates with the official site). Book through the Kasagatake Sanso official form. The Wasabidaira hut near the trailhead (open July 10–October 20, 2026, tel 090-8074-7778) is also available.

Loop plan: as the Kasa Shindo is steep, you can climb it and then descend from Mt. Kasa via Chichibudaira, Onoma-norikoshi and Mt. Yumiori to Kagamidaira and the Koike Shindo (for the fit, two nights and three days).

The summit of Mt. Nukedo: from the Nukedodake junction it is about 5 minutes to the summit, a rocky ridge above the tree line with a fine view of Mt. Yari, the Hotaka range and Mt. Kasa. The east face is a large landslide scar, so do not go near the edge. There is no shelter, so take care in strong wind and lightning.

Toward Mt. Kasa: from the Nukedodake junction it is about 1 hour along the ridge to the Kasagatake Sanso and Mt. Kasa, with rocky sections such as the Nukedo-iwa.

Season and gear: the season is mid-July to early October; in the snow season front-point crampons and an ice axe are essential. As water is scarce, carry plenty, along with 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 Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0