Mt. Akasawa

Mt. Akasawa (赤沢岳, 2,678 m), on the border of Tateyama in Toyama and Omachi in Nagano, is a peak of the Ushiro-Tateyama range and one of the 100 Highest Mountains.
It stands midway between the Taneike-sanso hut and Mt. Harinoki, between Mt. Narusawa and Mt. Subari, and the Kanden tunnel to the Kurobe Dam runs directly beneath the summit. From the top there is a grand view of Tateyama and Mt. Tsurugi across Lake Kurobe. The usual route climbs the Kashiwabara Shindo from Ogizawa and reaches the peak over Mt. Narusawa, using the Taneike-sanso and Shin-etsu-sanso as bases. By public transport you reach Ogizawa from Shinano-Omachi Station by bus and climb the Kashiwabara Shindo.

The base is Ogizawa (about 1,433 m); the Kashiwabara Shindo climbs to the Taneike-sanso (about 2,450 m) in about 4 to 4.5 hours. From the Taneike-sanso the ridge runs over Mt. Iwagoyazawa and the Shin-etsu-sanso at Shin-etsu-nokkoshi, then over Mt. Narusawa to Mt. Akasawa. It is about 4 hours from the Taneike-sanso to Mt. Akasawa, about 8.5 hours one way from Ogizawa. A trip of two days or more, with a night at the Taneike-sanso or at the Shin-etsu-sanso (the hut nearest Mt. Akasawa), is usual.
The huts on the ridge are the Taneike-sanso (open July 1–October 17, 2026, tent sites available) and the Shin-etsu-sanso (open July 15–September 26, 2026), both reservation-only of the Taneike-sanso group (reservations tel 0261-22-1263 [10:00–17:00]). The Kashiwabara Shindo is a well-maintained, easy-to-walk path but a long climb with a large gain. The best season is mid-July to September, while the Shin-etsu-sanso is open; watch for lingering snow on the upper Kashiwabara Shindo before then. The traverse from the Harinoki side over Mt. Subari to Mt. Akasawa is an advanced rocky-ridge route; this article mainly covers the Kashiwabara Shindo route.

*Information last checked: unverified

How to access the trailhead (Ogizawa)

1. [Outbound] Shinano-Omachi → Ogizawa (trailhead)
2. [Return] Ogizawa (trailhead) → Shinano-Omachi

1. [Outbound] Shinano-Omachi → Ogizawa (trailhead)

The trailhead, Ogizawa, is about 40 minutes by the Alpico Kotsu / Kita-Alps Kotsu Ogizawa-line bus from Shinano-Omachi Station on the JR Oito Line. Ogizawa is the Nagano-side gateway of the Tateyama–Kurobe Alpine Route, and the bus runs daily in the spring–autumn season (April 15–November 30, 2026). Shinano-Omachi Station is about 1 hour from Matsumoto Station on the JR Oito Line. The Kashiwabara Shindo trailhead is a little down the road from the Ogizawa bus terminal.

Bus timetable ①: Shinano-Omachi Station → Ogizawa (Alpico Kotsu / Kita-Alps Kotsu, outbound)

By car: Ogizawa has paid and free hikers’ car parks. You can also board partway, at Omachi Onsenkyo and other stops. Check the latest times and fares with the official Ogizawa-line timetable.

Reference: [Alpico Kotsu — Ogizawa Line]

2. [Return] Ogizawa (trailhead) → Shinano-Omachi

After descending, take the Ogizawa-line bus back from Ogizawa to Shinano-Omachi Station (about 40 minutes). The Ogizawa-to-Shinano-Omachi service runs from a first bus at 7:05 to a last bus at 17:55. The descent of the Kashiwabara Shindo is long and takes time, so keep margin for the last bus.

Bus timetable ②: Ogizawa → Shinano-Omachi Station (Alpico Kotsu / Kita-Alps Kotsu, return)

Reference: [Alpico Kotsu — Ogizawa Line]

Route and safety notes

Route (Kashiwabara Shindo from Ogizawa): Ogizawa → Kashiwabara Shindo → Taneike-sanso (about 4 to 4.5 hours) → Mt. Iwagoyazawa → Shin-etsu-nokkoshi / Shin-etsu-sanso (about 2.5 hours) → Mt. Narusawa → Mt. Akasawa (about 1 h 50 min). About 8.5 hours one way from Ogizawa to Mt. Akasawa, with a night at the Taneike-sanso or Shin-etsu-sanso. Continuing from Mt. Akasawa over Mt. Subari and Mt. Harinoki and descending the Harinoki snow valley back to Ogizawa (the “Harinoki circuit”) is also popular but long and for fit hikers.

Lodging: on the ridge are the Taneike-sanso (about 2,450 m, open July 1–October 17, 2026, tent sites available) and the Shin-etsu-sanso (Shin-etsu-nokkoshi, open July 15–September 26, 2026), the hut nearest Mt. Akasawa. Both are reservation-only of the Taneike-sanso group; reservations tel 0261-22-1263 (10:00–17:00). The Shin-etsu-sanso has a short season, so check its opening dates before planning.

Kashiwabara Shindo: a well-maintained path opened by Mr. Kashiwabara, the keeper of the Taneike-sanso, with few hazards but a long climb of about 1,000 m of gain. In the snow season (until about June) snow lingers near “Azami-sawa” on the upper section; watch for slips.

The ridge (Taneike to Mt. Akasawa): the ridge above the tree line has continuous ups and downs, with rocky sections and narrow stretches between Mt. Narusawa and Mt. Akasawa. It is exposed, so take care in strong wind, lightning or fog, and do not push on in poor visibility. The Kanden tunnel to the Kurobe Dam runs directly beneath the summit of Mt. Akasawa.

Season and gear: the snow-free season is mid-July to September. Above the tree line at around 2,600 m it is chilly morning and evening, so carry rain gear, warm clothing, a hat and gloves. A headlamp, map and compass (GPS), and ample water and food are essential.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue). The Nagano and Toyama Prefectural Police cover this border range. Check the latest trail and weather information at the Taneike-sanso or Shin-etsu-sanso before setting out.

Photo by Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0