Mt. Arakawa
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Mt. Arakawa (荒川岳) is a collective name for three peaks in the central Southern Alps: Maedake, Nakadake, and Warusawadake (Higashidake).
The highest peak, Warusawadake (Higashidake), sits about halfway between Mt. Shiomi and Mt. Akaishi at 3,141m, the sixth-highest peak in Japan, and is counted among the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains.
For Mt. Arakawa, a loop course from the Sawarajima trailhead including Mt. Akaishi is standard.
If you stay one night (two meals included) at Nikenkoya Lodge, the shuttle bus can take you all the way to the Nikenkoya Trailhead, the closest trailhead to Mt. Arakawa.
This is a remote mountain area deep in the southern Southern Alps, but during the season conditional access from the Tokyo area by bus is possible.
For access from the Toribakura Trailhead, see the Mt. Shiomi page.
2026
The details below are for the 2026 season (checked with each operator on 22 August 2026). Please also confirm operating days and booking on each operator’s official site. In 2026 there is no direct Mainichi Alpen-go service from Tokyo (Takebashi/Shinjuku) to Hatanagi. To reach Sawarajima you travel to Shizuoka Station, take one of the three Shizuoka departures to the Hatanagi summer parking area, and change there to the Tokai Forest shuttle bus.
- Mainichi Alpen-go from Shizuoka Station (Shizuoka Station ⇔ Hatanagi/Numadaira): hikers only, reservation required. The 2026 operating days are listed in the timetables below. Official
- Shizutetsu Just Line Southern Alps Hiking Line (Shizuoka Station ⇔ Hatanagi): daily from 16 July to 16 August 2026 — this season has ended. 2026 guide
- Tokai Forest shuttle bus (Sawarajima Lodge ⇔ Hatanagi Dai-ichi Dam): for guests of the affiliated huts only (tent-only trips are not eligible), reservation required. The published 2026 timetable runs from 11 July to 12 October; outside that window departure times are arranged individually because of forest-road works. Official
*Timetable last checked: May 17, 2026
Hiking Course Details — Mt. Arakawa
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Map & Recommended Route — Mt. Arakawa
Mt. Arakawa — Reference Hiking Times
| Segment | Distance | Ascent/Descent | Out | Back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sawara-jima → Senmai Hut | 9.1 km | +1725 m / −242 m | 6:15 | 5:40 |
| Senmai Hut → Mt. Arakawa (Higashi-dake) | 2.6 km | +576 m / −54 m | 2:15 | 1:50 |
| Round trip | 23.3 km | +2597 m / −2597 m | 17:20 | |
1. [Outbound] Shizuoka Station → Sawarajima Lodge
Step 1. Shizuoka Station → Hatanagi summer parking (three options)
Bus Timetable: Shizuoka Station → Hatanagi / Numadaira (Mainichi Alpen-go from Shizuoka, reservation only)
| Shizuoka Sta. South Exit dep. | Hatanagi summer parking arr. | Numadaira gate arr. |
|---|---|---|
| 4:15 | 7:20 | 7:30 |
Fare: ¥14,500–16,500 (varies by date). Ride: about 3 hours. Booking: Maitabi (official)
Shared-taxi Timetable: Shizuoka Station → Hatanagi (Chiyoda Taxi South Alps hikers’ shuttle)
| Shizuoka Sta. North Exit dep. | Hatanagi summer parking arr. |
|---|---|
| 4:20 | 7:20 |
Fare: ¥8,500 (one way, tax incl.). Booking: Chiyoda Taxi (official)
Bus Timetable: Shizuoka Station → Hatanagi (Shizutetsu Justline South Alps line)
| Shizuoka Sta. stop 8 dep. | Shirakaba-sō arr. | Hatanagi parking arr. |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | 13:10 | 13:20 |
Fare: adult ¥5,000 (incl. luggage). Ride: about 3 h 20 min. Reference: Shizutetsu Bus 2026 notice
* The early buses (Alpen-go 4:15 / Chiyoda 4:20) arrive at Hatanagi at 7:20 and connect to the 7:30 Tokai Forest shuttle. The Shizutetsu bus (arr. 13:20) connects to the 15:00 shuttle.
Step 2. Hatanagi summer parking → Sawarajima Lodge (Tokai Forest shuttle)
At Hatanagi summer temporary parking, transfer to the shuttle bus run by Tokushu Tokai Forest and get off at Sawarajima Lodge (shuttle information).
Shuttle Timetable: Hatanagi summer parking → Sawarajima Lodge (2026, inbound)
| Hatanagi parking dep. | Sawarajima Lodge arr. |
|---|---|
| 7:30 | 8:40 |
| 15:00 | 16:10 |
2. [Return] Sawarajima Lodge → Shizuoka Station
Step 1. Sawarajima Lodge → Hatanagi summer parking (Tokai Forest shuttle)
At Sawarajima Lodge, board the shuttle bus run by Tokushu Tokai Forest and get off at the Hatanagi summer temporary parking (shuttle information).
Shuttle Timetable: Sawarajima Lodge → Hatanagi summer parking (2026, outbound)
| Sawarajima Lodge dep. | Hatanagi parking arr. |
|---|---|
| 6:10 | 7:20 |
| 10:30 | 11:40 |
| 13:00 | 14:10 |
Step 2. Hatanagi summer parking → Shizuoka Station (three options)
Bus Timetable: Numadaira / Hatanagi → Shizuoka Station (Mainichi Alpen-go)
| Numadaira gate dep. | Hatanagi parking dep. | Shirakaba-sō dep. | Shizuoka Sta. arr. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14:50 | 15:00 | 15:05 | 18:00 |
Fare: ¥7,000–9,000
Shared-taxi Timetable: Hatanagi → Shizuoka Station (Chiyoda Taxi)
| Hatanagi parking dep. | Shirakaba-sō dep. | Shizuoka Sta. North Exit arr. |
|---|---|---|
| 7:35 | 7:45 | 10:40 |
Fare: ¥8,500 (one way, tax incl.). Booking: Chiyoda Taxi (official)
Bus Timetable: Hatanagi → Shizuoka Station (Shizutetsu Justline South Alps line)
| Hatanagi parking dep. | Shirakaba-sō dep. | Shizuoka Sta. arr. |
|---|---|---|
| 14:30 | 14:40 | 17:50 |
Fare: adult ¥5,000 (incl. luggage). Ride: about 3 h 20 min. Reference: Shizutetsu Bus 2026 notice
Photo by wikipedia
Your next mountain
The fourth-highest peak in the southern Alps, a massive mountain that embodies the name of the Akaishi range.
A 3,000-meter peak deep in the southern Alps, captivating climbers with untouched primeval forest and majestic mountain scenery.
A remote peak in the innermost northern Alps, with a reddish-brown slope and a primal panorama of the Kurobe headwaters.
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