Higashikawadake

Higashikawadake (2,671 m) lies on the border of Ōkuwa Village and Komagane City in Nagano Prefecture and is one of Japan’s 100 highest mountains.
It sits in the southern Kiso Mountains (Central Alps), a granite peak facing Mount Utsugi across the col known as Kisodono-goe, just to its west. At Kisodono-goe stand the Kisodono Hut and the “Yoshinaka-no-Chikaramizu” spring, tied to a legend of the warrior Kiso Yoshinaka. There is no trail that climbs Higashikawadake on its own; it is reached by crossing Mount Utsugi from the Komagane side down to Kisodono-goe, or by traversing from Senjōjiki over Mount Hinoki and Mount Kumazawa.
For the trailhead, take a bus from JR Komagane Station on the Iida Line to Komagaike, then climb the Ikeyama ridge over Mount Utsugi to Kisodono-goe.

The trailhead is the Ikeyama-ridge trailhead (reached via the Ikeyama forest road from Komagaike). The standard route is Komagaike → Ikeyama ridge → Mount Utsugi (2,864 m) → Kisodono-goe (Kisodono Hut, overnight) → Higashikawadake. Even reaching Mount Utsugi takes about 7–8 hours of climbing, so this is an advanced route requiring one night on the mountain. From Kisodono-goe it is about 20 minutes to Higashikawadake and a 360 m, roughly 1-hour-30-minute climb back up to Mount Utsugi.
At Kisodono-goe, the Kisodono Hut is open from July 1 to mid-October in 2026 (reservations required, by phone only). The season runs from July to mid-October. Take care on the rocky, chained sections between Mount Utsugi and Kisodono-goe and on the narrow ridge toward Mount Kumazawa. Note that the western route (via Inagawa Dam and Usagidaira) is closed due to storm damage, so use the Komagane side or the ridge from Senjōjiki. Always check the latest trail, hut and bus conditions before you go.

*Information last verified: June 14, 2026

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Komagane Station → Komagaike (for the Ikeyama-ridge trailhead)
2. [Return] Komagaike → Komagane Station

1. [Outbound] Komagane Station → Komagaike (for the Ikeyama-ridge trailhead)

From the bus stop in front of JR Komagane Station on the Iida Line, take the Chūō Alps Kankō Bus (Ina Bus, bound for the Komagatake Ropeway) and get off at Komagaike. From Komagaike, follow the Ikeyama forest road to the Ikeyama-ridge trailhead. The fare is ¥380 for adults, the ride is about 11 minutes, and it runs year-round (reduced in winter). In the table below, ★◆■ mark services that run only on certain dates.

★: daily August 8 to August 15, and weekends/holidays September 19 to October 11
◆: weekends August 16 to September 13, weekdays September 23 to October 12, and October 17 to October 18
■: weekdays August 17 to September 18, daily October 13 to October 16, and daily October 19 to November 18

Reference: [Chūō Alps Komagatake Ropeway (bus fares & times)]

2. [Return] Komagaike → Komagane Station

After descending, take the Chūō Alps Kankō Bus (Ina Bus, bound for Komagane Station) from Komagaike and get off in front of JR Komagane Station. The fare is ¥380 for adults and the ride is about 11 minutes. ★◆■ mark the same date-limited services as in the table above.

Reference: [Chūō Alps Komagatake Ropeway (bus fares & times)]

Climbing routes and safety notes

Route: Komagaike → Ikeyama ridge → Mount Utsugi (2,864 m) → Kisodono-goe (Kisodono Hut, overnight) → Higashikawadake (2,671 m). Reaching Mount Utsugi alone takes about 7–8 hours, so this is an advanced route with a night at the Kisodono Hut. From Kisodono-goe it is about 20 minutes to Higashikawadake, and the climb back to Mount Utsugi is about 360 m and 1 hour 30 minutes. If you traverse from Senjōjiki (Komagatake Ropeway) over Mount Hinoki and Mount Kumazawa, it takes about 5 hours 25 minutes to Higashikawadake.

Rocky ridge and chains: Between Mount Utsugi and Kisodono-goe there are steep granite sections with chains and ladders, and the stretch from Higashikawadake toward Mount Kumazawa follows a narrow ridge. The risk of a fall or losing the route rises in rain, strong wind or fog, so do not push on—turning back is a valid decision.

Closure: The western route to Higashikawadake and Mount Utsugi via Inagawa Dam and Usagidaira is closed due to disaster damage (no foot access). Use the Komagane side (Ikeyama ridge) or the ridge from Senjōjiki.

Hut and water: At Kisodono-goe, the Kisodono Hut is open from July 1 to mid-October in 2026 (reservations required, by phone only). A little below the col is the “Yoshinaka-no-Chikaramizu” spring.
― Kisodono Hut (reservations/operation) 090-5638-8193

Gear and season: The season runs from July to mid-October. Carry rain gear, warm clothing, a headlamp, a map/GPS, and plenty of water and food.
Emergencies: In an accident, call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Komagane Police Station 0265-83-0110

Photo by alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain