Mt. Nishi

Mt. Nishi (西岳, 2,758 m) is one of the 100 Highest Mountains, standing on the Omote-Ginza traverse of the Northern Alps in Nagano, between Mt. Otensho and Mt. Yari.
From the summit there is a grand view of Mt. Yari and the Hotaka peaks close ahead, and back along the Omote-Ginza over Mt. Otensho and Mt. Tsubakuro, with the Jonen range beyond. The Nishidake hut stands just below the summit, at the start of the Higashi-Kama ridge toward Mt. Yari. The usual route is a two-night, three-day traverse from Chubu Onsen over Mt. Tsubakuro and Mt. Otensho to Mt. Nishi, staying at the Enzanso and the Nishidake hut. By public transport you reach Chubu Onsen from Hotaka Station by the mountain bus.

The base is Chubu Onsen (about 1,460 m); you climb the Kassen ridge to the Enzanso and Mt. Tsubakuro, then follow the Omote-Ginza to Mt. Otensho and Mt. Nishi. It is about 11 hours from Chubu Onsen to Mt. Nishi, so a two-night, three-day trip with nights at the Enzanso and the Nishidake hut is usual. The Omote-Ginza is a scenic ridge facing Mt. Yari, but there are chained sections and loose slopes around Mt. Otensho and below Mt. Nishi, and the long days demand stamina and self-management.
Spend the first night at the Enzanso below Mt. Tsubakuro (reservations only, Enzanso group) and the second at the Nishidake hut below Mt. Nishi (about 2,680 m, Enzanso group, open July 10–October 11 in 2026). The season is mid-July to early October. The Higashi-Kama ridge descending from Mt. Nishi to Mt. Yari is outside the scope of this article.

*Information last checked: June 14, 2026

1. [Outbound] Hotaka Station → Chubu Onsen (Chubu-line bus)
2. [Return] Chubu Onsen → Hotaka Station (Chubu-line bus)

1. [Outbound] Hotaka Station → Chubu Onsen (Chubu-line bus)

Bus TimetableHotaka Station → Ariakeyama-jinja → Nakabusa Onsen

You board the Nakabusa Line shared bus in front of Hotaka Station. A debris flow on 8 August 2026 washed away the Kurokawa Bridge on the Nakabusa prefectural road, so a temporary timetable applies from 22 August until further notice. The bus from Hotaka Station now runs only as far as Ariakeyama-jinja; from there you change to a nine-seat jumbo taxi for Nakabusa Onsen. The connection is immediate, with no waiting time. The fare to Nakabusa Onsen is unchanged at ¥1,500 one way, and the ticket you buy at Hotaka Station is also used on the connecting taxi (show it to the driver). Reservation required. Times differ between “A-schedule days” (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) and “B-schedule days” (other weekdays). The road closes when it rains and no buses run — see the access status at the top of this article.

Reference : Azumino City Tourism Association — reopening of the Nakabusa road and the temporary bus timetable (with the A/B calendar)

2. [Return] Chubu Onsen → Hotaka Station (Chubu-line bus)

Bus TimetableNakabusa Onsen → Ariakeyama-jinja → Hotaka Station

The return uses the same temporary timetable. You take the connecting jumbo taxi from Nakabusa Onsen down to Ariakeyama-jinja and change there to the shared bus for Hotaka Station. Return times are the same on A-schedule and B-schedule days. ¥1,500 one way, reservation required.

Reference : Azumino City Tourism Association — reopening of the Nakabusa road and the temporary bus timetable (with the A/B calendar)

Route and safety notes

Route (from Chubu Onsen via the Omote-Ginza): Chubu Onsen → Kassen hut (about 3 h) → Enzanso (about 1 h 20 m) → Daitenso / Mt. Otensho (about 3 h 30 m) → Nishidake hut (about 3 h) → Mt. Nishi, 2,758 m (about 15 m). It is about 11 hours from Chubu Onsen to Mt. Nishi; the standard is a two-night, three-day trip with night one at the Enzanso and night two at the Nishidake hut. On day three you return over the Omote-Ginza and descend to Chubu Onsen.

Huts: night one at the Enzanso below Mt. Tsubakuro (reservations only, Enzanso group; for off-season enquiries the Matsumoto office tel 0263-32-1535); night two at the Nishidake hut below Mt. Nishi (about 2,680 m, Enzanso group, on-site tel 090-7172-2062 [6:00–19:00], open July 10–October 11 in 2026, reservation required, web reservation until 7:00 on the day).

The Omote-Ginza (Mt. Tsubakuro – Mt. Otensho – Mt. Nishi): a scenic ridge facing Mt. Yari. Flower meadows and views continue, but the bypass around Mt. Otensho and the big descent have chained sections and slippery slopes, so pace yourself over the long days.

Mt. Nishi summit: about 15 minutes from the Nishidake hut. It is a grand viewpoint over Mt. Yari, the Hotaka peaks and the Jonen range, and the dawn alpenglow on Mt. Yari is a highlight.

The Higashi-Kama ridge (Mt. Nishi → Mt. Yari): a narrow ridge with continuous ladders and chains, for experienced climbers. General hikers go out-and-back to Mt. Nishi and return over the Omote-Ginza to Chubu Onsen.

Season and gear: the season is mid-July to early October. In the snow and frozen seasons full gear and experience are needed. As there is rock, chains and ladders, carry a helmet, rain gear, warm clothing, a headlamp and plenty of water.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
Check the latest with the Nagano prefectural police.

Photo by Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0