Mt. Ariake

Mt. Ariake (有明山, 2,268 m), straddling Azumino and Matsukawa in Nagano Prefecture, is one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains.
For its neat triangular shape seen from Azumino, it is called the “Shinano Fuji,” a symbol of Azumino, standing on the front range of the Northern Alps. The Urasando route is a steep climb gaining about 1,350 m over roughly 8 km round trip, with chains and ropes one after another, for fit hikers.
The nearest station is Hotaka on the JR Oito Line. From Hotaka you reach the Ariakeso trailhead by the Nakabusa Line shared bus.

The trailhead is Ariakeso (just before Nakabusa Onsen). The route runs Ariakeso → Kurokawa-sawa → Shirakawa Falls → the summit of Mt. Ariake and back; the standard round trip is about 7 hours, around 8 km with about 1,350 m of ascent, for intermediate to fit hikers. The steep climb along Kurokawa-sawa continues, and it is a route for those with rock experience, with many chains and ropes and some unclear sections.
From the summit you see Mt. Tsubakuro, Mt. Yari and Mt. Jonen. There are no mountain huts, so it is a day trip. Water is at Kurokawa-sawa and toilets at Ariakeso. The season is early July to early October. It is a quiet mountain with few climbers, which also means fewer escape options, so plan an early start with plenty of margin.

*Information last checked: June 5, 2026

1. [Round trip] Hotaka Station → Ariakeso (Mt. Ariake trailhead)

1. [Round trip] Hotaka Station → Ariakeso (Mt. Ariake trailhead)

From Hotaka Station on the JR Oito Line, take the Nakabusa Line shared bus (run by Nan-an Taxi and Azumi Kanko Taxi) to the Ariakeso trailhead (about 52 minutes, 1,500 yen one way). The terminus, Nakabusa Onsen, is the Mt. Tsubakuro trailhead, and Ariakeso is just before it.

The bus runs from April 24 to November 3, 2026. Depending on the day there are A, B and C schedules, with different numbers of runs and times, so always check the official operating calendar. The table below shows the A schedule, which has the most runs. You can start in on the first bus at 05:15 and descend on the last at 16:18.

The schedule type (A, B or C) and any extra runs change by the day. Always confirm the latest times and operating days officially.
– Nan-an Taxi 0263-72-2855 / Azumi Kanko Taxi 0263-82-3113

Source: [Nan-an Taxi, Nakabusa Line bus] / [Azumi Kanko Taxi, Nakabusa Line]

Route and safety notes

Route: Ariakeso → Kurokawa-sawa → Shirakawa Falls → Mt. Ariake. The standard round trip is about 7 hours, around 8 km, with about 1,350 m of ascent, for intermediate to fit hikers. The steep climb along Kurokawa-sawa continues, and Shirakawa Falls is a highlight.

Chains and route-finding: chains and ropes come one after another, and some sections are unclear. Rock experience and reliable route-finding are needed, and do not push on in bad weather.

Day trip only: there are no mountain huts, so a day trip is the rule. Water is at Kurokawa-sawa and toilets at Ariakeso. Start early to keep a margin in your moving time.

Gear and season: the season is early July to early October. Carry water, food, rain gear and warm clothing, and submit a climbing plan.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Nan-an Taxi 0263-72-2855

Mt. Ariake Hiking Routes, Difficulty & Best Season

Mt. Ariake is a 2,268 m peak on the front range of the Northern Alps. Its shapely form has long earned it the nickname “Shinano Fuji,” and it has been revered as a sacred mountain since ancient times.

Main routes

• Nakabusa Onsen / Ariake-so (rear approach) → Kurokawa-sawa → Shirakawa Falls → summit (out and back): time about 7–8 hours / cumulative ascent about 1,350 m / difficulty intermediate to advanced. A demanding route with near-continuous steep climbs, chains and ladders.
• Ariake-jinja Shrine (front approach) → Okumiya: an old pilgrimage path, also a steep climb suited to strong walkers.

Difficulty & fitness

Intermediate to advanced. Chains, ladders and some indistinct sections call for scrambling experience and sure route-finding. There are no huts, so it is normally a day hike—start early and keep time in hand. Water is available at Kurokawa-sawa.

Best season

Early summer to autumn (roughly early July to early October) is the ideal period. Avoid the snow season and bad weather, when the route becomes much harder.

Highlights

The refreshing Shirakawa Falls and the small summit shrine steeped in mountain-worship history. The trim “Shinano Fuji” seen from Azumino is another draw.

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