Mount Kumabushi

Mount Kumabushi is a 1,654 m peak on the border between Iida City and Tenryu Village in Nagano Prefecture, and one of the 300 Famous Mountains of Japan.
The Median Tectonic Line runs just east of the summit, and to the south, Aokuzure Pass is known for the collapsing terrain called “Aokuzure” (the blue landslide). From the summit you can look out over Kuroboshidake, Nakanoone-yama, and other peaks of the deep southern South Alps, on a quiet intermediate route that climbs from the pass to the summit and back.
To reach the trailhead at Aokuzure Pass, take a taxi from Misakubo Station on the JR Iida Line to the Shio-no-michi (Salt Road) parking lot (Aokuzure Pass trailhead).

The trailhead is at the Shio-no-michi parking lot on the Shizuoka side (Aokuzure Pass trail entrance, elevation approx. 980 m), where there is parking space. The representative route is a round trip from the Shio-no-michi parking lot → Aokuzure Pass → Aokuzure-no-kashira → Mount Kumabushi (1,654 m), an intermediate route with a standard course time of about 4 hours 30 minutes. Beyond Aokuzure Pass the trail continues with steep climbs and narrow ridges, and there is a triangulation point at the summit.
The best season for hiking is April to November. Because of the collapse-prone terrain along the Median Tectonic Line, watch out for falling rocks and slips around Aokuzure Pass. The trail from the Nagano side (Tōyamagō) involves a long walking distance due to tunnel construction, so access from the Shizuoka side is standard. Always check the latest forest road and trail conditions in advance.

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How to access the trailheads

1. [Round trip] Misakubo Station ⇄ Aokuzure Pass trailhead (Shio-no-michi parking, taxi)

1. [Round trip] Misakubo Station ⇄ Aokuzure Pass trailhead (Shio-no-michi parking, taxi)

Misakubo Station on the JR Iida Line (Tenryu Ward, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture) is the base. There is no route bus heading to the Aokuzure Pass trailhead, so take a taxi from the station.

① Misakubo Station → Shio-no-michi parking lot (taxi)
From Misakubo Station, head north on National Route 152, turn right toward Aokuzure Pass just before Kusaki Tunnel, and it is about 20–25 minutes by taxi to the Shio-no-michi parking lot (Aokuzure Pass trail entrance). As the route includes a forest road section, confirm whether the taxi can enter all the way to the trailhead when you book it.
― Misakubo Taxi 053-987-0118 (reception 8:00–22:00).

② Misakubo Fureai community bus (for reference): Hamamatsu City operates the Misakubo Fureai community bus, but it does not reach the Aokuzure Pass trailhead, so for hiking a taxi or private car is realistic.

③ Note (Nagano side): You can also enter Aokuzure Pass from the Minami-Shinano (Tōyamagō) side of Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, but as of 2026 the tunnel construction requires about a 4 km walk to the pass, so access from the Shio-no-michi parking lot on the Shizuoka side is standard.

Private car: There is parking space at the Shio-no-michi parking lot. From the Hamamatsu-Inasa JCT on the Shin-Tomei Expressway, head toward Misakubo via the San-en Nanshin Expressway and National Route 152.

References: [Misakubo Tourism Association – Mount Kumabushi] ／ [Mount Kumabushi (Yama-to-Keikoku Online)]

Trail Guide and Safety Notes

Route: A round trip from the Shio-no-michi parking lot → Aokuzure Pass → Aokuzure-no-kashira → Mount Kumabushi (1,654 m). The standard course time is about 4 hours 30 minutes on an intermediate route. Up to Aokuzure Pass the trail follows the stone paving and wooden steps of the Salt Road (Akiba Kaido), and beyond the pass come steep climbs and narrow ridges.

Collapse terrain and weather notes: The area around Aokuzure Pass is on collapse-prone geology along the Median Tectonic Line, so watch out for falling rocks and slips. Mind your footing on narrow ridges, and after rain or on foggy days do not push on—turn back.

Views and seasons: The summit is surrounded by forest, but the south side opens up to a view of Kuroboshidake, Nakanoone-yama, and the deep southern South Alps. The best hiking season is April to November; in winter there is snow and ice.

Equipment and emergencies: Carry rain gear, warm clothing, a headlamp, a map/GPS, plenty of trail snacks, and drinking water. In case of an accident or distress, call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/ambulance).
・Tenryu Police Station 053-925-0110

Photo by アラツク / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0