Mt. Amida

Mt. Amida (Amidadake, 2,805 m) straddles Chino and Hara in Nagano Prefecture, a peak of the Yatsugatake range (southern Yatsugatake) that rises boldly west of the main summit, Mt. Aka. It is one of the 100 Highest Mountains of Japan (Hyakukōzan).
Its pyramid-shaped form is striking seen from the Suwa basin, and the summit gives a wide view of Mt. Aka, Mt. Naka and Mt. Yoko, out to the Southern and Northern Alps, Mt. Fuji and Lake Suwa. It is less crowded than Mt. Aka and offers rocky scrambling and a quiet ridge, but the steep, chain- and rope-fitted rock just below the summit and on the descent toward Mt. Naka make it an intermediate-to-advanced climb. The trailhead is Minotoguchi at the western foot of Yatsugatake, reached by bus from Chino Station and by overnight bus from Tokyo.

The starting point is Minotoguchi (about 1,500 m). Walk the forest road about 1 hour to Minoto (Yamanoko-mura / Akadake-sanso, about 1,720 m), follow the Minamisawa valley to Gyoja-goya hut (2,350 m), and climb to Mt. Amida via the Nakadake col (about 4 hours 30 min to 5 hours from Minotoguchi to the summit). There is also the quiet Okoya-one ridge route (Minotoguchi → Mt. Okoya → Mt. Amida) for experienced hikers.
Gyoja-goya and Akadake-kosen are the valley bases; using Gyoja-goya you can combine Mt. Amida with Mt. Aka. A day hike is possible, but staying one night at Gyoja-goya or a hut at Minoto is safer. The best season is early July to early October; in the residual-snow season (through early June) and early winter, crampons and an ice axe are needed. Wear a helmet on the summit rocks and watch for rockfall and slips.

*Information last checked: June 14, 2026

For access to the wider Yatsugatake area and the Kiyosato-side route, see also the Mt. Aka page.

How to access the trailhead

1. [Outbound] Chino Station → Minotoguchi
2. [Outbound] Takebashi / Shinjuku Station → Minotoguchi (overnight bus)
3. [Return] Minotoguchi → Chino Station
4. [Return] Minotoguchi → Shinjuku Station (overnight bus)

1. [Outbound] Chino Station → Minotoguchi

From stop 4 at the west exit of Chino Station on the JR Chuo Main Line, take the Alpico Kotsu Minotoguchi Line to its terminus, Minotoguchi.
Fare: ¥1,900 one way (revised August 2025, continuing in 2026). Ride time: about 38 min. Service: May 2 – October 25, 2026 (weekends and holidays, plus daily August 1 to August 30; no weekday service). From Minotoguchi it is about a 1-hour walk along the forest road to the Minoto trailhead.

Reference: [Alpico Kotsu Minotoguchi Line]

2. [Outbound] Takebashi / Shinjuku Station → Minotoguchi (overnight bus)

From Takebashi and Shinjuku in Tokyo, the Mainichi Alpen-go run by Maitabi (Mainichi Shimbun Travel) goes direct to Minotoguchi (in front of Yatsugatake-sanso) (seasonal, reservation only). Ride time: about 6 hours. Fare: about ¥8,000–10,000 (varies by plan). The 2026 Kanto-departure runs go on sale once the schedule is confirmed, so the times below are a 2025-season guide — confirm officially.

Reference: [Mainichi Alpen-go, Yatsugatake area]

3. [Return] Minotoguchi → Chino Station

From Minotoguchi, take the Alpico Kotsu Minotoguchi Line back to Chino Station. Fare: ¥1,900 one way. Ride time: about 38 min. The descent from Mt. Amida to Minotoguchi takes about 4 hours, so allow plenty of time for your return bus.

Reference: [Alpico Kotsu Minotoguchi Line]

4. [Return] Minotoguchi → Shinjuku Station (overnight bus)

From Minotoguchi, the Maitabi Mainichi Alpen-go runs direct to Shinjuku (seasonal, reservation required). Ride time: about 3 hours. Fare: about ¥5,500. Confirm the current operating days and times officially.

Reference: [Mainichi Alpen-go, Yatsugatake area]

Climbing routes and safety notes

Route 1: via Minamisawa and the Nakadake col (standard)
Minotoguchi (1,500 m) → about 1 hour on the forest road → Minoto (1,720 m) → Minamisawa valley → Gyoja-goya hut (2,350 m, about 3 hours from Minotoguchi) → Nakadake col → Mt. Amida (2,805 m, about 1 hour 30 min from Gyoja-goya). About 4 hours 30 min to 5 hours from Minotoguchi to the summit. Using Gyoja-goya as a base, you can combine Mt. Amida with Mt. Aka. From the Nakadake col to just below the summit is steep rock with chains and ropes.

Route 2: Okoya-one ridge (quiet, advanced)
Minotoguchi → Mt. Okoya → Fudo-shimizu spring → Mt. Amida. The lower half is a gentle forest, but above the tree line the upper section has continuous rock and ropes. It is quiet with few hikers, but escape options are limited, so it suits experienced climbers.

Summit and views: From the summit of Mt. Amida you look across to Mt. Aka, Mt. Naka, Mt. Yoko and Mt. Gongen, with a 360-degree view out to the Southern and Northern Alps, Mt. Fuji and Lake Suwa.

Hazards: The climb from the Nakadake col to Mt. Amida and the descent toward Mt. Naka are steep, with chains, ropes and loose scree; beware of slips and rockfall. Wear a helmet, and do not push on in rain, strong wind or fog.

Mountain huts (all require reservation):
• Gyoja-goya (2,350 m): the valley base for Mt. Amida and Mt. Aka. The 2026 summer season runs May 30 – November 1; tent sites available; web reservation (direct satellite phone 090-4740-3808).
• Akadake-kosen (2,220 m): lodging in summer and at New Year, with tent camping year-round. Direct phone 090-4824-9986.
• Minoto (Yamanoko-mura / Akadake-sanso): huts at the end of the forest road, useful for a night before and for parking.

Season and equipment: The best season is early July to early October. In the residual-snow season (through early June) and early winter, crampons and an ice axe are needed. Carry rain gear, warm clothing, a helmet, a headlamp, a map/GPS, and ample water and food.

In an emergency: Call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue). The Nagano Prefectural Police mountain rescue team covers the Yatsugatake area. Always file a climbing plan, and check the latest trail and weather information at Gyoja-goya, Akadake-kosen or Yatsugatake-sanso at Minotoguchi.

Photo by Σ64 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0