Mt. Hinokio

Mt. Hinokio (檜尾岳, 2,728 m), in Komagane, Nagano, is a peak on the main ridge of the Central Alps (Kiso Mountains) and one of the 100 Highest Mountains.
It lies exactly midway between Mt. Kisokoma and Mt. Hoken to the north and Mt. Utsugi to the south; just below the summit to the south stand the Hinokio hut, with its distinctive triangular roof, and the clear blue Hinokio-ike pond. It is the key point of the long Hoken–Utsugi traverse, and a night here lets you walk comfortably from Mt. Kisokoma to Mt. Utsugi. The usual route climbs from Senjojiki to Gokurakudaira and heads south along the main ridge over Shimada-musume-no-kashira and Nigorisawa-no-omine; there is also a direct climb up the Hinokio ridge from Hinokio-bashi on the Ina side. By public transport you reach Senjojiki from Komagane Station by bus and ropeway, then walk from there.

The base is Senjojiki Station (2,612 m, the top of the Komagatake Ropeway). A steep climb up the western wall of the cirque reaches Gokurakudaira (about 2,860 m); from there the main ridge runs south over Shimada-musume-no-kashira and Nigorisawa-no-omine to Mt. Hinokio. It is about 4 hours one way from Senjojiki to Mt. Hinokio, about 7–8 hours for a day return. Many hikers stay a night at the Hinokio hut just below the summit and traverse on to Mt. Utsugi the next day.
The ridge has continuous ups and downs above the tree line, with rocky sections and narrow stretches around Nigorisawa-no-omine. The Hinokio hut just below the summit on the south side (about 2,650 m, open July 11–October 12, 2026, reservations by phone tel 090-7957-7650 [9:00–18:00, by the day before], tent sites available, with an emergency-shelter section usable all year) is the only staffed hut between Mt. Hoken and Mt. Utsugi. The season is mid-July to August for the flowers and views and late September to early October for the autumn colours; in the snow season front-point crampons and an ice axe are needed for the steep slope to Gokurakudaira.

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How to access the trailhead (Senjojiki)

1. [Outbound] Komagane Station → Shirabidaira → Senjojiki
2. [Return] Senjojiki → Shirabidaira → Komagane Station

1. [Outbound] Komagane Station → Shirabidaira → Senjojiki

To reach the Senjojiki trailhead, first take the Ina Bus Komagatake Ropeway Line from the bus stop in front of JR Iida Line Komagane Station and get off at Shirabidaira Station (one way ¥1,050, round trip ¥2,100, about 45 minutes). At Shirabidaira, change to the Komagatake Ropeway to its top, Senjojiki Station (2,612 m) — about 7.5 minutes, 950 m of elevation.
※ The Suganodai–Shirabidaira section is closed to private vehicles, so use the local bus from Suganodai Bus Center (boarding at Suganodai is one way ¥830; parking is ¥800 per day for ordinary cars). The ropeway basically does not require a reservation (first-come, first-served), but during the high season — Sat/Sun/holidays of the summer holidays and autumn-foliage period — both the bus and ropeway are very crowded, so plan with ample time.

Bus timetable ①: Komagane Station → Shirabidaira (Ina Bus, outbound)

Reference: [Central Alps Komagatake Ropeway (fares & timetable)]

2. [Return] Senjojiki → Shirabidaira → Komagane Station

After descending, take the Komagatake Ropeway from Senjojiki Station down to Shirabidaira, then the Ina Bus Komagatake Ropeway Line back to Komagane Station (Shirabidaira ⇄ Komagane Station one way ¥1,050, about 46–48 minutes). The long ridge climb back to Senjojiki from Mt. Hinokio takes time, so keep margin for the last ropeway and bus. In the high season there can be a wait to board the ropeway, so aim to descend early.

Bus timetable ②: Shirabidaira → Komagane Station (Ina Bus, return)

Reference: [Central Alps Komagatake Ropeway (fares & timetable)]

Route and safety notes

Route (Senjojiki–main ridge–Mt. Hinokio): Senjojiki Station → Gokurakudaira (steep climb up the western cirque wall, about 50 min) → Shimada-musume-no-kashira → Nigorisawa-no-omine → Mt. Hinokio. About 4 hours one way from Senjojiki to Mt. Hinokio, about 7–8 hours for a day return. A popular plan stays at the Hinokio hut and traverses to Mt. Utsugi the next day; a fit hiker can walk the main ridge from Mt. Kisokoma to Mt. Utsugi in two days. A circuit descending the Hinokio ridge on the Ina side (about 4–5 hours to Hinokio-bashi) is also possible.

Hinokio hut: just below the summit on the south side is the Hinokio hut (about 2,650 m, open July 11–October 12, 2026, reservations by phone tel 090-7957-7650 [9:00–18:00, by the day before], tent sites available). It is the only staffed hut on the long ridge between Mt. Hoken and Mt. Utsugi and was rebuilt in 2022. It has an emergency-shelter section usable in winter too. Take water from the hut’s source (Hinokio-ike).

Around Nigorisawa-no-omine: the stretch from Shimada-musume-no-kashira to Nigorisawa-no-omine has rocky sections, narrow ridges and ladders; take care when passing others and watch for slips. The ups and downs above the tree line take more time and effort than the distance suggests.

The steep cirque wall: the climb from Senjojiki to Gokurakudaira is a steep wall of the cirque; watch for loose rock and slips. In the snow season (until about June) front-point crampons and an ice axe are needed.

Weather and gear: above the tree line at around 2,700 m, be ready for sudden weather changes, strong wind, lightning and cold. Carry rain gear, warm clothing, a map and compass (GPS) and a headlamp. The season is mid-July to early October.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue). Check the latest trail and weather conditions via the official Central Alps Komagatake Ropeway and the city of Komagane.

Photo by Σ64 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0