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

How to access the trailhead

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)

The trailhead, Chubu Onsen, is about 55 minutes and 1,500 yen from Hotaka Station on the JR Oito Line by the Nan-an Taxi Chubu-line scheduled bus. It runs roughly late April to early November; the outbound has departures from 5:15 to 14:50 from Hotaka Station (the early 5:15 service runs only on extra-service days, and on some days the first bus is later). On day one of a two-night, three-day trip, take an early service and climb the Kassen ridge to stay at the Enzanso. The Chubu Onsen trailhead has toilets, a climbing-information office and a day-use hot spring.

Chubu-line bus (outbound): Hotaka Station → Chubu Onsen

Overnight and car: there is lodging around Hotaka Station and near Shakunage-no-Yu, so a night nearby helps if you want the early bus. By car, use the hikers’ car parks before Chubu Onsen (three lots, free); when full, a car park near Hotaka Station plus the bus is reliable. Check the latest service, times and fares with Nan-an Taxi.

Reference: [Nan-an Taxi — Chubu Onsen scheduled bus]

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

After descending, return from Chubu Onsen to Hotaka Station by the Nan-an Taxi Chubu-line bus. The return has departures from 9:00 to 16:15 from Chubu Onsen, and on some days there is no morning service and the first bus is 12:35. If you return over the Omote-Ginza and down the Kassen ridge, day three is a long way from Mt. Nishi via the Enzanso to Chubu Onsen, so descend with time to spare for the last bus (16:15). Many hikers take the day-use hot spring at Chubu Onsen before heading home.

Chubu-line bus (return): Chubu Onsen → Hotaka Station

Reference: [Nan-an Taxi — Chubu Onsen scheduled bus]

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