Mt. Jonen-dake
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.
How to access the trailheads
- [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.
Photo by Alpsdake
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