Mt. Abearakura

Mt. Abearakura (安倍荒倉岳, 2,693 m), straddling Ina (Nagano) and Aoi Ward, Shizuoka City, is a peak of the Akaishi Mountains (Southern Alps) and one of the 100 Highest Mountains.
It rises midway along the long Senshio ridge that links Mt. Senjo and Mt. Shiomi, just south of the Kumanotaira hut — a quiet, forest-clad peak. Its triangulation point sits slightly off the trail and the view is limited, but with few staffed huts and few hikers it offers some of the most serene ridge walking in the Southern Alps. It is not a summit you climb on its own, but one you tag in passing on a traverse south along the Senshio ridge from Kitazawatoge over Mt. Senjo, or on a traverse from the Mt. Shiomi side. By public transport, the starting point is to enter Kitazawatoge by the Minami-Alps forest-road bus from Totai Park on the Nagano side.

From the starting point of Kitazawatoge (about 2,030 m) you climb Mt. Senjo, pass Mt. Daisenjo and Mt. Mibu, and head south along the Senshio ridge to stay at the Kumanotaira hut (about 2,500 m), reaching Mt. Abearakura from there. From Kitazawatoge to the Kumanotaira hut is a long stretch with almost no staffed huts in between, making it a trip of at least two days. Using the Kumanotaira hut as a base, you can also make an out-and-back toward Mt. Abearakura and Mt. Shinjanuke, or a long route on to Mt. Shiomi and out to the Toridaira trailhead (toward Inaoshima Station).
The nearest staffed hut is the Kumanotaira hut, and in 2026, owing to repair work, hut lodging is planned for July 11 – August 31, while tent camping and goods sales are expected to continue until the work is finished (reservations only, from around June; tel 03-6265-6967 and others). Always confirm the latest operating status with the official source when you book. There is water at the Kumanotaira hut. Near the tree line, this is a long ridge with difficult escape routes — a mountain for experienced hikers with full gear and fitness.

*Information last checked: June 14, 2026

Access to the trailhead (Kitazawatoge)

1. [Outbound] Chino Station / Ina → Totai Park → Kitazawatoge
2. [Return] Kitazawatoge → Totai Park → Chino Station

1. [Outbound] Chino Station / Ina → Totai Park → Kitazawatoge

The gateway to Kitazawatoge is Totai Park (the former Senryuso) on the Nagano side. From JR Chuo Line Chino Station, take the JR Bus Kanto “Minami-Alps Geoliner” to Totai Park, then change to the Minami-Alps forest-road bus (Queen Line) into Kitazawatoge. On Saturdays you can use the “Morning Geoliner” from the Ina Bus Terminal (about 3 min on foot from Ina-shi Station on the JR Iida Line; Ina BT 4:30 → Totai Park 5:10, ¥950) to connect with the first forest-road bus.
※ The Hirogawara–Kitazawatoge section on the Yamanashi side has been closed since typhoon damage in 2019, so vehicle access to Kitazawatoge is only from the Totai Park side. The forest-road bus is cash only; tickets go on sale about 30 minutes before the first departure.

Bus timetable ①: Chino Station → Totai Park (Minami-Alps Geoliner, outbound)

Bus timetable ②: Totai Park → Kitazawatoge (Minami-Alps forest-road bus, outbound)

Reference: [Ina City — Minami-Alps forest-road bus]

2. [Return] Kitazawatoge → Totai Park → Chino Station

After descending, take the Minami-Alps forest-road bus from Kitazawatoge down to Totai Park, then the Minami-Alps Geoliner back to Chino Station. As this is the descent from a long traverse, keep ample margin for the last forest-road bus and Geoliner (Totai Park 17:00 → Chino Station 18:24). If exiting on the Mt. Shiomi side, use the bus from the Toridaira trailhead toward Inaoshima Station.

Bus timetable ③: Kitazawatoge → Totai Park (Minami-Alps forest-road bus, return)

Bus timetable ④: Totai Park → Chino Station (Minami-Alps Geoliner, return)

Reference: [Ina City — Minami-Alps forest-road bus]

Route and safety notes

Route (Senshio ridge traverse): Kitazawatoge → Mt. Senjo → Mt. Daisenjo → Mt. Mibu → Kumanotaira hut (one night) → Mt. Abearakura. From Kitazawatoge to the Kumanotaira hut is long, and even for the fit it realistically means at least two days, with a night at a Mt. Senjo hut or at the Umanose Hut / Ryomata hut. Mt. Abearakura is a forested peak just after you set off from the Kumanotaira hut toward Mt. Shiomi, its triangulation point beside the trail.

Lodging (Kumanotaira hut): a Shizuoka City-run hut at about 2,500 m near the midpoint of the Senshio ridge. In 2026, owing to repair work, hut lodging is planned for July 11 – August 31, with tent camping and goods sales expected to continue until the work is finished. Reservations only, from around June via Tokushu Tokai Forest and others (tel 03-6265-6967 / 0547-46-4717). It has water and a campsite. Always confirm the operating period and booking method with the official source in advance.

The length of the Senshio ridge: linking Mt. Senjo and Mt. Shiomi, the Senshio ridge is one of the longest traverses in the Southern Alps, with few staffed huts and limited escape routes. Carry ample food, water and spare days for the itinerary, and judge the weather strictly.

Alternative route: from the south you can go via the Toridaira trailhead (seasonal bus from Inaoshima Station) → Sanpuku-toge → Mt. Shiomi, then north to Mt. Abearakura — a traverse that can be combined with Mt. Shiomi. Either way it is an advanced route of several days.

Weather and gear: on a main ridge around 2,700 m, be ready for sudden weather changes, strong wind, lightning and cold. Carry a map and compass (GPS), rain gear, warm clothing, a headlamp and plenty of trail food. The season follows the Kumanotaira hut’s operation, mid-July to September.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue). Mobile coverage is poor on both the Nagano and Shizuoka sides over many sections, so always file a climbing plan.

Photo by Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain