Mt. Sannosawa

Mt. Sannosawa (三ノ沢岳, 2,847 m), straddling Agematsu and Okuwa in Kiso District, Nagano, is a peak of the Central Alps (Kiso Mountains) and one of the 100 Highest Mountains.
It stands alone on a ridge that branches southwest from Mt. Hoken, a quiet “solitary peak” in marked contrast to the busy Senjojiki Cirque and Mt. Kisokoma. The carpets of Aleutian mountain heath and false hellebore near the summit, and the endemic Hime-usuyukiso (a dwarf edelweiss), make the alpine flora along the route among the finest in the Central Alps. There is only one trail: from Senjojiki up to Gokurakudaira, then out and back along the pine ridge from the Sannosawa junction. By public transport you reach Senjojiki from Komagane Station by bus and ropeway, then walk from there.

The base is Senjojiki Station (2,612 m, the top of the Komagatake Ropeway). A steep climb up the western wall of the cirque reaches Gokurakudaira (about 2,860 m); from the Sannosawa junction a little along the main ridge, a long ridge running out toward the Kiso side drops and climbs again to the summit of Mt. Sannosawa. It is about 2.5 to 3 hours one way from Senjojiki to the summit, about 5 hours round trip (YAMAP standard time 4 h 52 m, about 6.0 km, gain about 710 m). There is no hut and no water on the Mt. Sannosawa trail, so a day return is the norm.
The ridge is densely covered with creeping pine and has many ups and downs, taking more effort than the distance suggests. To stay overnight, use Hotel Senjojiki at the ropeway station (2,612 m, open all year, reservations required, tel 0265-83-3844) or the Hoken Sanso, Tengu-so and Komagatake Chojo Sanso on the main ridge. The season is early July to August for the flowers and late September to early October for the autumn colours; in the snow season front-point crampons and an ice axe are needed for the steep slope to Gokurakudaira.

*Information last checked: June 14, 2026

How to access the trailhead (Senjojiki)

1. [Outbound] Komagane Station → Shirabidaira → Senjojiki
2. [Return] Senjojiki → Shirabidaira → Komagane Station

1. [Outbound] Komagane Station → Shirabidaira → Senjojiki

To reach the Senjojiki trailhead, first take the Ina Bus Komagatake Ropeway Line from the bus stop in front of JR Iida Line Komagane Station and get off at Shirabidaira Station (one way ¥1,050, round trip ¥2,100, about 45 minutes). At Shirabidaira, change to the Komagatake Ropeway to its top, Senjojiki Station (2,612 m) — about 7.5 minutes, 950 m of elevation.
※ The Suganodai–Shirabidaira section is closed to private vehicles, so use the local bus from Suganodai Bus Center (boarding at Suganodai is one way ¥830; parking is ¥800 per day for ordinary cars). The ropeway basically does not require a reservation (first-come, first-served), but during the high season — Sat/Sun/holidays of the summer holidays and autumn-foliage period — both the bus and ropeway are very crowded, so plan with ample time.

Bus timetable ①: Komagane Station → Shirabidaira (Ina Bus, outbound)

Reference: [Central Alps Komagatake Ropeway (fares & timetable)]

2. [Return] Senjojiki → Shirabidaira → Komagane Station

After descending, take the Komagatake Ropeway from Senjojiki Station down to Shirabidaira, then the Ina Bus Komagatake Ropeway Line back to Komagane Station (Shirabidaira ⇄ Komagane Station one way ¥1,050, about 46–48 minutes). The long ridge climb back from Mt. Sannosawa takes time, so keep margin for the last ropeway and bus. In the high season there can be a wait to board the ropeway, so aim to descend early.

Bus timetable ②: Shirabidaira → Komagane Station (Ina Bus, return)

Reference: [Central Alps Komagatake Ropeway (fares & timetable)]

Route and safety notes

Route: Senjojiki Station → Gokurakudaira (steep climb up the western cirque wall, about 50 min) → Sannosawa junction → Mt. Sannosawa. About 2.5 to 3 hours one way from Senjojiki to the summit, about 5 hours round trip (about 6.0 km, gain about 710 m). An out-and-back day trip to Mt. Sannosawa alone is the norm, though a fitter plan combines it with Mt. Hoken and Mt. Kisokoma on a main-ridge circuit.

Water and huts: there is no water and no hut on the Mt. Sannosawa trail, so carry water from Senjojiki. To stay overnight, use Hotel Senjojiki at the ropeway station (open all year, reservations required, tel 0265-83-3844) or the Hoken Sanso, Tengu-so and Komagatake Chojo Sanso on the main ridge (all summer-season; check the latest opening dates and reservations on each official site).

The pine ridge: the ridge from Gokurakudaira to Mt. Sannosawa is densely covered with creeping pine, with sections where branches catch your legs and many ups and downs. Unlike the well-maintained paths around Mt. Kisokoma, it takes more time and effort than the distance suggests. A memorial cairn stands just below the summit.

The steep cirque wall: the climb from Senjojiki to Gokurakudaira is a steep wall of the cirque; watch for loose rock and slips. In the snow season (until about June) front-point crampons and an ice axe are needed.

Weather and gear: above the tree line at around 2,800 m, be ready for sudden weather changes, strong wind, lightning and cold. Carry rain gear, warm clothing, a map and compass (GPS) and a headlamp. The season is early July to early October.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue). Check the latest trail and weather conditions via the official Central Alps Komagatake Ropeway information.

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