Mount Fujimidai (Fujimidai, 1,739 m) sits on the border of Nakatsugawa City in Gifu and Achi Village in Nagano, and is one of Japan’s 300 Famous Mountains.
A peak of the Ena range at the southern end of the Kiso Mountains (Central Alps), its appeal lies in the gentle bamboo-grass summit and the wide views of Mount Ena, the Central Alps and the Southern Alps. The “Heavens Sonohara” ropeway and a shuttle bus take you almost to the top, leaving an easy hike of about 40 minutes from Bangakusō.
For public-transport access, from Nakatsugawa or Iida Station go via Hirugami Onsen to Heavens Sonohara, or to Bangakusō at Misaka Pass.
The bases for the hike are Bangakusō (a mountain lodge near Misaka Pass) and the Heavens Sonohara observation deck. The main route is Bangakusō → Misakayama junction → Mount Fujimidai (1,739 m) and back, a beginner route with a standard time of about 1 hour 30 minutes. The heights are open bamboo grass, with wide views of Mount Ena, Mount Nagiso and the Central and Southern Alps.
The best season is early summer to autumn (June–October); the ropeway and shuttle bus run during the green season. Always check the latest operating days and trail conditions before you go.
*Last checked: June 6, 2026
How to access the trailheads
1. [There & Back] Hirugami Onsen / Heavens Sonohara ⇄ Bangakusō / Fujimidai (ropeway, shuttle & taxi)
Nakatsugawa Station or Iida Station on the JR Chuo Main Line is your base. Go via the Hirugami hot-spring resort in southern Shinshu to Heavens Sonohara.
① Via Heavens Sonohara (ropeway + Fujimidai Kogen bus)
Take the Heavens Sonohara ropeway up to the summit station at 1,400 m, then from the observation deck take the “Fujimidai Kogen bus” via Misaka Pass to Bangakusō (about 20 minutes); from Bangakusō it is about 40 minutes on foot to Fujimidai. As reaching Heavens Sonohara is easiest by the shuttle for guests of the Hirugami hot-spring resort, an overnight stay at Hirugami Onsen is recommended.
② Getting to Hirugami Onsen
From Nakatsugawa or Iida Station, take a Shinnan Kotsu bus to the Hirugami hot-spring resort and use it as your base for Heavens Sonohara.
③ Taxi (Misaka Pass route)
You can also take a taxi from Nakatsugawa Station to Misaka Pass / Bangakusō (about 40 minutes on foot from Bangakusō).
— Use a taxi from Nakatsugawa.
④ Note (operating period): the ropeway and Fujimidai Kogen bus run in the green season (roughly early summer to autumn), switching to ski-resort operation in winter. The Ōtani-Kirigahara forest road (Nakatsugawa–Achi) is closed by a landslide.
By car: there is parking at Heavens Sonohara, right by the Sonohara IC on the Chuo Expressway.
References: [Heavens Sonohara access] ／ [Hirugami Onsen tourism]
Trail Guide and Safety Notes
Route: Bangakusō → Misakayama junction → Mount Fujimidai (1,739 m) and back. The standard time is about 1 hour 30 minutes, a beginner route. There is also a route via Misakayama from Misaka Pass, and a traverse toward Mount Ena. The heights are broad bamboo grass, so follow the signs.
Bamboo grass and weather: the summit area is treeless bamboo grass, fully exposed to strong wind, mist and lightning. Mist can make the path hard to follow, so check your position with a map and GPS.
Views and seasons: from Fujimidai there are wide views of Mount Ena, Mount Nagiso and the Central and Southern Alps (despite the name, Mount Fuji is hard to see). The autumn bamboo grass and colours are lovely, and there is snow in winter.
Equipment and emergencies: carry rain gear, warm clothing, a headlamp, a map/GPS and plenty of food. In an accident or emergency call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/ambulance).
・Iida Police Station 0265-22-0110
Photo by Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
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