Mt. Jonen-dake
More figures and data sources
Mt. Jōnen (Jōnendake, 常念岳, 2,857 m) lies in the Jōnen Range of the southern Northern Alps. One of the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan, the summit opens a panoramic view of Yari-Hotaka. Its clean pyramid profile as seen from Azumino has also made it an iconic Shinshū peak.
From JR Ōito Line Hotaka Station, a taxi reaches either the Ichinosawa or the Mitsumata trailhead. A one-night stay at Jōnen Goya (just below the summit) is the standard plan.
The Forest Road Ichinosawa Line is closed to general vehicles due to a slope failure (reconstruction late March – October 31, 2026). The 1.5 km stretch from the collapse to the trailhead is walkable, but closures may occur. Only designated taxi companies are allowed through the collapse zone, so taxi access from Hotaka Station is recommended.
● Nan’an Taxi 0263-72-2855 (official)
● Azumi Kankō Taxi 0263-82-3113 (official)
● Azumino Daiichi Kōtsū 0263-88-2032
Latest: Azumino City Forestry Division / Jōnen Goya official
Jōnen is listed in the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, the New 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, and the Shinshū 100. The standard course is an Ichinosawa round trip, with an overnight at Jōnen Goya. It can also be reached via Chōgatake from Kamikōchi, or via Tsubakuro-dake and Ōtenjō-dake on the Omotegin’za traverse from Nakabusa Onsen.
Access status
Partly closedPrefectural road to Nakabusa Onsen (Nakabusa Line, Kurokawa Bridge)Miyagi Gate, Hotaka-Ariake (Azumino) – Nakabusa Onsen (Nakabusa Gate), 12.2 km
A debris flow in the Kurokawa ravine on the night of 8 August 2026 washed away the Kurokawa Bridge and the road was closed completely. A temporary bridge has now been installed, and from 05:00 on Saturday 22 August 2026 pedestrians and ordinary vehicles may use the road again on a provisional basis. Until Friday 21 August nobody may pass, on foot or otherwise. The road is open 08:00–17:00 on weekdays and 05:00–18:00 at weekends and on public holidays, and it closes whenever it rains, because another debris flow may come down the Kurokawa ravine. Only vehicles up to 1.88 m wide and 3 t may pass. Restrictions can also be imposed at short notice depending on the ravine, the weather or seismic activity. The scheduled bus from Hotaka Station resumes on 22 August but on a temporary timetable: you change at Ariakeyama-jinja onto a nine-seat jumbo taxi, and on A-schedule days the 04:30 departure from Hotaka Station does not run.
Alternative: The road still closes on rainy days after 22 August. If rain is forecast, switch to Mt. Jōnen from the Ichinosawa trailhead instead (the Ichinosawa forest road is also closed to ordinary cars after a separate collapse: take a taxi from Hotaka Station to just before the collapse and walk the remaining 1.5 km; the repair work is due to finish at the end of October 2026).
Based on the Nagano Prefecture (Azumino Construction Office) and Azumino City / Azumino City Tourism Association (bus) of 17 August 2026; we checked the content ourselves on 21 August 2026. On 21 August 2026 we also re-confirmed automatically that the same restriction was still listed at the source. Source
- [Outbound] Hotaka Station → Ichinosawa Trailhead (taxi)
- [Outbound] Hotaka Station → Mitsumata Trailhead (taxi)
- [Return] Ichinosawa / Mitsumata → Hotaka Station
- Recommended plans and trail-area info
Hiking Course Details — Mt. Jonen-dake
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Map & Recommended Route — Mt. Jonen-dake
Mt. Jonen-dake — Reference Hiking Times
| Segment | Distance | Ascent/Descent | Out | Back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. Jonen Ichinosawa Trailhead → Jōnen Hut | 5.0 km | +1131 m / −0 m | 3:30 | 2:55 |
| Jōnen Hut → Mount Jōnen | 1.1 km | +394 m / −0 m | 1:10 | 1:10 |
| Round trip | 12.3 km | +1525 m / −1525 m | 9:15 | |
1. [Outbound] Hotaka Station → Ichinosawa Trailhead (taxi)
From the taxi stand at JR Hotaka Station, take a Nan’an Taxi or Azumi Kankō Taxi to the Ichinosawa Trailhead (about 45 min). Only designated taxi companies may pass the forest-road closure to the trailhead, so booking in advance is strongly recommended. From the trailhead, the summit is about 5 h 45 min away; Jōnen Goya hut (just below the summit, 20 tent spots) is reached in about 4 h 20 min.
Fare: Hotaka Station → Ichinosawa Trailhead, taxi about ¥7,500–9,000 (about ¥2,000/person if 4 share).
Reference: Nan’an Taxi trailhead fare list
2. [Outbound] Hotaka Station → Mitsumata Trailhead (taxi)
The Mitsumata Trailhead is at the end of a forest road in Azumino-shi Hotaka-Ariake, about 45 min by taxi from Hotaka Station. From Mitsumata, via Mae-Jōnen, the summit is about 6 h 20 min away (no hut between), so this route is for experienced hikers. Mitsumata is shared with Chōgatake, making it a popular start for the Chōgatake → Jōnendake traverse.
Fare: Hotaka Station → Mitsumata Trailhead, taxi about ¥8,000–9,500
Mitsumata → Jōnen has a vertical rise of over 2,000 m with no hut between. To reach Jōnen Goya by nightfall, start by 5 a.m. at the latest. For self-driving, park at Mitsumata Daiichi or Daini lot (free, ~100 spaces) next to “Holiday-yu Shiki-no-sato”; from there it is a 30-minute walk to the trailhead.
Reference: Jōnen Goya official trail info
3. [Return] Ichinosawa / Mitsumata → Hotaka Station
After descending, take a taxi back to Hotaka Station. From Ichinosawa, call a taxi from the trailhead parking / hikers’ counter (where mobile signal exists) or arrange in advance to wait. From Mitsumata, walk 30 minutes along the forest road to the parking, then take a taxi (or soak first at “Holiday-yu Shiki-no-sato”).
Fare: Trailhead → Hotaka Station, taxi about ¥7,500–9,500
For an after-hike onsen, the Hotaka Onsen-kyō / Holiday-yu Shiki-no-sato (next to the Mitsumata parking lot, ¥800 adult) is convenient. From Ichinosawa, you can also access Shakunage-no-yu (¥650) via Hotaka Station.
Reference: Yahoo! Transit
4. Recommended plans and trail-area info
Standard 1-night plan: Day 1 — Hotaka Station → Ichinosawa Trailhead → Jōnen Pass (Jōnen Goya stay, 4 h 20 min). Day 2 — Jōnen Goya → summit and back (1 h 30 min) → Ichinosawa Trailhead → Hotaka Station.
Chōgatake traverse plan: Kamikōchi → Tokusawa → Nagakabe Ridge → Chōgatake → Chō-yari → Jōnendake → Jōnen Goya (overnight) → Ichinosawa descent (2-night, 3-day).
Omotegin’za traverse plan: Nakabusa Onsen → Tsubakuro-dake → Ōtenjō-dake → Jōnen Goya → Jōnendake → Chōgatake → Kamikōchi (3–4 nights).
● Hut: Jōnen Goya (alt. 2,450 m, capacity ~200, summer season late April – early November) TEL 090-1430-3328, with tent sites.
● Water: “Munetsuki-Hatchō no Mizuba” spring on the Ichinosawa route (around 2,000 m); water also available at Jōnen Goya (charged). The Mitsumata route has no water — carry enough.
● Toilets: at the Ichinosawa hikers’ counter and Jōnen Goya (¥100 contribution).
● Onsen after hike: Holiday-yu Shiki-no-sato (¥800) / Shakunage-no-yu (¥650).
● Emergency contacts: Azumino Police 0263-72-3000 / Azumino City Crisis Management 0263-71-2080.
Mt. Jonen Hiking Routes, Difficulty & Best Season
Mt. Jonen is a 2,857 m peak among the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains and the principal summit of the Jonen Range in the Northern Alps. From the top a grand panorama of Mt. Yari and the Hotaka massif unfolds, and the mountain is also known for the shapely pyramid it presents when seen from the Azumino side.
Main routes
- Ichinosawa → Jonen-noikoshi (Jonen-goya hut) → Mt. Jonen (out and back): about 12.3 km / cumulative elevation gain about 1,525 m / time about 8 hours 45 minutes / difficulty: intermediate to advanced. A two-day trip with one night at the Jonen-goya hut is standard.
- Mitsumata → Mae-Jonen-dake → Mt. Jonen: a long route with a large elevation gain and no hut along the way, taking about 6 hours 20 minutes to the summit. It is suited to strong walkers.
Difficulty & fitness
It is intermediate to advanced, with a stamina rating of 4–7 and technical grade B. The summit area is rocky ridge, a day trip suits strong hikers, and staying overnight at the Jonen-goya hut is the safer choice. Water is available along the Ichinosawa route (the Munatsuki-hatcho spring) and at the Jonen-goya hut.
Best season
July to October, when the alpine zone opens up, is the ideal time. Residual snow lingers until early July, and from late September the autumn colours come into their prime. In midsummer, watch for afternoon thunderstorms.
Highlights
The greatest draws are the grand view of Mt. Yari and the Hotaka massif from Jonen-noikoshi and the Northern Alps panorama from the summit. The pyramid-shaped figure seen from the fields of Azumino is also emblematic.
Photo by Alpsdake
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