Mount Hachibuse (Hachibuseyama, 1,929 m) sits on the border of Matsumoto, Okaya and Shiojiri cities in Nagano, and is one of Japan’s 300 Famous Mountains.
A gentle grassland mountain on the southern fringe of Utsukushigahara, its appeal lies in the 360-degree view from the summit of the Northern Alps, Lake Suwa, Yatsugatake and Mount Fuji. Drive up to Hachibuse Sansō and it is about 15 minutes on foot to the summit, or climb from Gyūfukuji for a fuller route of about 2 to 3 hours.
Public transport to the trailheads is limited, so you reach them by combining a taxi from JR Matsumoto Station.
The easy option is Hachibuse Sansō (at the end of the Hachibuse forest road), about 15 minutes on foot from the parking to the summit. For a fuller walk, the trail from Gyūfukuji passes Jigokudani to the summit, an intermediate route of about 2 to 3 hours. The summit is open grassland with no cover, giving wide views of the Northern Alps and Lake Suwa.
The best season is early summer to autumn (May–October); the Hachibuse forest road is closed in winter from late November to early May, and Hachibuse Sansō charges for parking and an entry-cooperation fee. Always check the latest forest-road conditions and arrange a taxi before you go.
*Last checked: June 7, 2026
How to access the trailheads
1. [There & Back] Matsumoto Station ⇄ Hachibuse Sansō / Gyūfukuji (taxi + forest road)
Matsumoto Station on the JR Shinonoi and Ōito Lines is your base. There is no direct bus to Mount Hachibuse, so take a taxi from the station.
① Matsumoto Station → Hachibuse Sansō (taxi, easy route)
Take a taxi from Matsumoto Station up the Hachibuse forest road to Hachibuse Sansō, from where it is about 15 minutes on foot to the summit. At Hachibuse Sansō there is a parking fee (about 500 yen for a car) and an entry-cooperation fee (about 300 yen per person).
— Alpico Taxi 0263-87-0555.
② Matsumoto Station → Gyūfukuji (fuller route)
For a fuller climb, take a taxi or an Alpico Kotsu bus from Matsumoto Station toward Gyūfukuji temple, then climb from the Gyūfukuji trailhead via Jigokudani to the summit (about 2 to 3 hours). Plan so you have time to spare after the descent.
③ Note (winter closure): the Hachibuse forest road is closed in winter from late November to early May, when you cannot drive up to Hachibuse Sansō. Check the latest opening status.
By car: there is parking at Hachibuse Sansō. Access from the Matsumoto or Okaya IC on the Nagano Expressway, or via the Takabotchi highland.
References: [Mount Hachibuse (Yamakei Online)] ／ [Totteoki Shinshu: Mount Hachibuse]
Trail Guide and Safety Notes
Route: the shortest is the out-and-back from Hachibuse Sansō to the summit (about 15 minutes), suited to families and first-time hikers. The course from Gyūfukuji passes Jigokudani and the Shōken hut to the summit, an intermediate route of about 2 to 3 hours, and there are also traverses from Tobira Pass and the Takabotchi highland.
Grassland and weather: the summit is treeless grassland, exposed to strong wind, mist and lightning, so take care in bad weather. In winter the forest road is closed and snow gear is required.
Views and nature: from the summit there is a panorama of the Northern Alps, Lake Suwa, Yatsugatake and, in clear weather, Mount Fuji. In early summer azaleas colour the grassland, and the view along the ridge to Utsukushigahara is splendid.
Equipment and emergencies: carry rain gear, warm clothing, a headlamp, a map/GPS, plenty of food and water. In an accident or emergency call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/ambulance).
・Matsumoto Police Station 0263-25-0110
Photo by 690 Noda / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Comments