Mt. Ontakesan (おんたけさん, 3,067m) is an independent peak straddling Otaki Village / Kiso Town (Nagano) and Gero City (Gifu), selected in Kyuya Fukada’s One Hundred Mountains of Japan. A long-revered sacred mountain, it is the second-highest independent peak in Japan after Mt. Fuji. An active volcano remembered for the September 27, 2014 phreatic eruption (63 dead or missing — Japan’s worst post-war volcanic disaster).
The Otakiguchi course (from Tanohara, only during restriction-relaxation period) is the standard. Intermediate ★★★・distance ~10 km・elevation gain 1,337 m・action time ~7 hours (day-hike possible). Highlights include 360° panoramas from the summit and Ninoike Pond (Japan’s highest lake at 2,905 m), plus the mountain’s history as a religious site.
Access to the trailhead
- [Outbound] Tokyo / Osaka → Kiso-Fukushima Station (JR Chuo-West Line)
- [Outbound / Return] Kiso-Fukushima Station ⇔ Tanohara (Ontake Kotsu Bus, weekends / holidays + 5 Aug weekdays only)
- Otakiguchi course, restriction-relaxation period, suggested plans
Course time (Otakiguchi course, day hike, Intermediate, ~7 hr, restriction-relaxation period only)
Tanohara (2,180 m) → (1:30) → 8th Station (2,470 m) → (1:30) → Otaki Chojo Sanso (2,940 m) → (0:40) → Kengamine summit (3,067 m) → Ninoike traverse possible → descent (3:00) → Tanohara
1. [Outbound] Tokyo / Osaka → Kiso-Fukushima Station (JR Chuo-West Line)
Kiso-Fukushima Station (JR Chuo-West Line) is the gateway for Mt. Ontakesan. From Tokyo Station, take JR Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi → Nagoya → JR Limited Express Shinano approx. 3 hr 30 min・¥9,500. From Shinjuku, JR Chuo Line Limited Express Azusa → Shiojiri → Limited Express Shinano approx. 4 hr・¥9,000. From Osaka via Shin-Osaka → Nagoya approx. 4 hr 30 min・¥12,000. From overseas, use Matsumoto Airport + connecting bus.
JR / airport reference :
Tokyo Stn → Kiso-Fukushima Stn : JR Nozomi + Limited Express Shinano (via Nagoya) ~3 hr 30 min・¥9,500
Shinjuku Stn → Kiso-Fukushima Stn : JR Azusa + Shinano (via Shiojiri) ~4 hr・¥9,000
Osaka Stn → Kiso-Fukushima Stn : JR Nozomi + Shinano (via Nagoya) ~4 hr 30 min・¥12,000
Matsumoto Airport → Kiso-Fukushima Stn : airport bus + JR ~2 hr
Reference : JR Central ｜ Otaki Village — Tanohara Line bus
Contact : JR Kiso-Fukushima Station ☎0264-22-2008
2. [Outbound / Return] Kiso-Fukushima Station ⇔ Tanohara (Ontake Kotsu Bus, weekends / holidays + 5 Aug weekdays only)
For the Otakiguchi trailhead Tanohara (2,180 m), take the Ontake Kotsu (Otaki Village-operated) bus from Kiso-Fukushima Station front approx. 1 hr 15 min・one-way ¥1,500・round-trip ¥2,500. 2026 operating period: July 4 – October 18, weekends / holidays only + August 3-7 and August 10 (weekdays), 2 services per day (morning 8:40 dep・afternoon 13:45 dep). Private car: Tanohara parking (~200 spaces, free, congested in summer). Tickets sold at Kiso-Fukushima Station front ticket office; pre-confirmation / reservation required (Otaki Village Office ☎0264-48-2001).
Operating period : 2026 July 4 (Sat) – October 18 (Sun), weekends / holidays + August 3-7 and August 10 (weekdays)
Travel time : Kiso-Fukushima Stn → Tanohara ~1 hr 15 min
Fare : One-way ¥1,500・round-trip ¥2,500
Frequency : 2 services per day (morning 8:40 / afternoon 13:45)
Kiso-Fukushima Stn → Tanohara (Ontake Kotsu Tanohara Line, 2026 operating period, hikers)
| Kiso-Fukushima Stn dep | Tanohara arr |
|---|---|
| 8:40 (morning) | 9:55 |
| 13:45 (afternoon) | 15:00 |
Tanohara → Kiso-Fukushima Stn (Ontake Kotsu, return, 2026 operating period)
| Tanohara dep | Kiso-Fukushima Stn arr |
|---|---|
| 10:15 (morning turnaround) | 11:30 |
| 16:00 (afternoon turnaround) | 17:15 |
Note : Operating period and timetable should always be pre-confirmed at the Otaki Village official PDF and Ontake Kotsu official site. Operation is limited to weekends / holidays + 5 August weekdays; on other weekdays private car is essential. After descent, Ontake Onsen “Otaki-no-Yu” (bath ¥600) or Kiso-Koma Kogen Shikanose Onsen is recommended.
Reference : Otaki Village — Tanohara Line bus official ｜ Ontake Kotsu — route buses
Contact : Otaki Village Office (bus inquiries) ☎0264-48-2001 / Kiso Town General Affairs Crisis Mgmt (volcano info) ☎0264-22-4280
3. Otakiguchi course, restriction-relaxation period, suggested plans
About Mt. Ontakesan
At 3,067 m on the border of Otaki Village / Kiso Town (Nagano) and Gero City (Gifu), as an independent peak it is second only to Mt. Fuji in height. Selected in Kyuya Fukada’s One Hundred Mountains of Japan, a long-revered sacred mountain. The September 27, 2014 phreatic eruption killed or left missing 63 people (Japan’s worst post-war volcanic disaster). On January 16, 2026 the volcanic alert level was lowered from 2 to 1; Kengamine access is possible during the restriction-relaxation period (July 1 – mid-October). The summit and Ninoike Pond (Japan’s highest lake, 2,905 m) offer 360° views, with religious stone statues lining the route.
Trail overview (2 main courses, 2026 restrictions reflected)
- Otakiguchi course (from Tanohara, standard, Intermediate, ~7 hr, day hike): Tanohara → 8th Station → Otaki Summit → Kengamine; open only during restriction-relaxation period (July 1 – mid-October); Tanohara worship-site – Kengamine and Ninoike traverse cleared
- Kurosawaguchi course (using ropeway, Intermediate, ~6 hr): Ontake Ropeway Iimori-Kogen Station → 9th Station → Kengamine; verify restriction status in advance
- Nigorigo-Onsen course (Gifu side, Expert, ~9 hr): Long route, for strong hikers
Mountain huts / hot springs (2026 information)
– Otaki Chojo Sanso (2,940 m, ☎080-6924-6051): Open only during restriction-relaxation period, 1 night with 2 meals ¥10,000~・room-only ¥7,000~, reservation required
– Ninoike Hut (2,905 m): Open only during restriction-relaxation period, reservation required
– Ontake Onsen “Otaki-no-Yu” (Otaki Village, bath ¥600)・Shikanose Onsen (Kiso-Koma Kogen)
– Tanohara parking: ~200 spaces, free
Climbing season / flora: Early July to early October. July: koma-kusa, iwa-gikyo colonies (8th-9th station), religious stone statues. Late September to early October: autumn colors. Snow remains around the summit / Kengamine area until early July.
Cautions
– Volcanic alert level 1, prepare for sudden eruption: Always check JMA volcano info before departure
– Kengamine accessible only during restriction-relaxation period (July 1 – mid-October): Outside this period and in winter, Otaki Summit / Kengamine entry prohibited
– Helmet strongly recommended: 2014 eruption lesson; pre-check shelter locations
– Water only at huts: No water sources on the trail; carry at least 2 L
– Bus only weekends / holidays + 5 Aug weekdays: Private car essential on other weekdays
Emergency contacts / inquiries
- Otaki Village Office (bus / climbing info): ☎0264-48-2001 / Kiso Town General Affairs Crisis Mgmt (volcano info): ☎0264-22-4280
- Kiso Police Station (climbing notification / mountain rescue): ☎0264-22-0110
- Otaki Chojo Sanso (during restriction-relaxation period): ☎080-6924-6051
- JMA Mt. Ontakesan volcano info: JMA Mt. Ontakesan
Suggested plans (Otakiguchi course, restriction-relaxation period, day hike, recommended, standard)
- Day hike (July 1 – mid-October restriction-relaxation period only, recommended, standard): Tokyo 5:30 → Kiso-Fukushima Stn 9:00 → bus → Tanohara 10:15 → 8th Station 11:45 → Otaki Summit 13:15 → Kengamine 14:00 → descent → Tanohara 17:00 → Kiso-Fukushima Stn 18:15 → return ※only feasible within restriction-relaxation period
- 1 night 2 days at Otaki Chojo Sanso (for strong hikers): Day 1 Tanohara → Otaki Chojo Sanso overnight. Day 2 summit → Ninoike traverse → descent → Ontake Onsen → return
Reference : Kiso Ontake Safety Info ｜ Otaki Village — Tanohara Line bus official
Photo by Alpsdake
Comments