Mt. Shinjanukeyama

Mt. Shinjanukeyama (2,667 m) stands on the border of Nagano and Shizuoka prefectures and is one of Japan’s 100 Highest Mountains.
It is a quiet, conifer-and-creeping-pine peak in the central Southern Alps, on the main ridge (the Sen-Shio Ridge) that runs from Mt. Ainodake to Mt. Shiomidake, near Kuma-no-daira. The trail contours around the east side of the summit, so few hikers actually stand on top; you reach it by a short there-and-back from a junction on the ridge. It sits midway along one of the deepest traverse routes in the Southern Alps, linking Mt. Kitadake and Mt. Ainodake with Mt. Shiomidake, and a day trip is not possible.
For public transport, the Shiomidake side is reached by the climbing bus from JR Ina-Oshima Station to the Torikura trailhead, and the Senjogatake side via Todai Park to the Kitazawa-toge bus stop from JR Chino Station or Ina.

Mt. Shinjanukeyama is not climbed on its own; you visit it during a 2- to 3-night traverse of the Sen-Shio Ridge from either Mt. Shiomidake or Mt. Senjogatake. The nearest hut is the Shizuoka City Kuma-no-daira Hut, used as a base for the out-and-back. The classic routes are Torikura trailhead → Sanpuku-toge (overnight) → Mt. Shiomidake → Mt. Kitaaragawadake → Mt. Shinjanukeyama → Kuma-no-daira (overnight), and Kitazawa-toge → Mt. Senjogatake → Sen-Shio Ridge → Kuma-no-daira → Mt. Shinjanukeyama.
On the ridge, the Kuma-no-daira, Sanpuku-toge, and Shiomi huts serve as lodging and emergency bases. In 2026 the Kuma-no-daira Hut offers hut lodging only from July 11 to August 31 (planned) because of repair work, while tent camping and the shop continue until the work is finished; always confirm the latest opening dates and fees on the official site. The climbing season runs from mid-July to mid-September, while the huts operate; outside that period snow and ice make the route unsuitable for general hikers.

*Information last checked: June 14, 2026

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Ina-Oshima Station → Torikura trailhead (Shiomidake side)
2. [Return] Torikura trailhead → Ina-Oshima Station
3. [Outbound] Chino Stn. / Ina → Todai Park → Kitazawa-toge (Senjogatake side)
4. [Return] Kitazawa-toge → Todai Park → Chino Station

1. [Outbound] Ina-Oshima Station → Torikura trailhead (Shiomidake side)

From Ina-Oshima Station on the JR Iida Line, take the Ina Bus “Southern Alps Climbing Bus, Torikura Line” to the terminus, the Torikura trailhead. From there you cross Sanpuku-toge and Mt. Shiomidake toward Mt. Shinjanukeyama.

Ride time: about 1 hour 50 minutes
Fare: 1,680 yen for adults
Operating period: daily from mid-July to late August (seasonal service)

The Torikura Line runs only in summer, so always confirm the operating dates officially. Outside the bus season, take a taxi from Ina-Oshima Station to the Torikura trailhead (about 1 hour).

Bus TimetableIna-Oshima Station to the Torikura trailhead

Reference: Ina Bus – Southern Alps Climbing Bus (Torikura Line)

2. [Return] Torikura trailhead → Ina-Oshima Station

After your descent, take the Ina Bus “Southern Alps Climbing Bus, Torikura Line” from the Torikura trailhead and get off at Ina-Oshima Station.

Ride time: about 1 hour 50 minutes
Fare: 1,680 yen for adults
Operating period: daily from mid-July to late August (seasonal service)

Bus TimetableTorikura trailhead to Ina-Oshima Station

Reference: Ina Bus – Southern Alps Climbing Bus (Torikura Line)

3. [Outbound] Chino Stn. / Ina → Todai Park → Kitazawa-toge (Senjogatake side)

To traverse the Sen-Shio Ridge from Mt. Senjogatake, transfer at Todai Park (the former Senryuso) to the Southern Alps Forest Road Bus for Kitazawa-toge. You reach Todai Park from JR Chino Station on the JR Bus Kanto “Southern Alps Geoliner” (seasonal, Fri/Sat/Sun/holidays, about 65 minutes, 1,800 yen), or from the Ina Bus Terminal on the “Morning Geoliner,” which runs on Saturdays only. The forest road bus runs from early June to early November; it costs 1,150 yen plus a 220-yen baggage charge (for packs of 18 L or more) and takes cash only.

Bus TimetableChino Station → Todai Park → Kitazawa-toge (Geoliner + forest road bus)

To reach Kitazawa-toge early, take the Saturday-only Morning Geoliner (Ina Bus Terminal 4:30 dep. → Todai Park 5:10 arr.) and connect to the first forest road bus at 5:45 (Kitazawa-toge 6:35 arr.). Forest road buses leave Todai Park at 5:45, 8:05, 10:05, 12:10, and 14:20.

Reference: Ina City – Southern Alps Forest Road Bus

4. [Return] Kitazawa-toge → Todai Park → Chino Station

If you descend on the Senjogatake side, take the Southern Alps Forest Road Bus from Kitazawa-toge back to Todai Park, then the Southern Alps Geoliner to JR Chino Station.

Bus TimetableKitazawa-toge → Todai Park → Chino Station (forest road bus + Geoliner)

Forest road buses leave Kitazawa-toge at 7:30, 10:00, 13:10, 15:00, and 16:00; the 16:00 departure connects with the Geoliner (Todai Park 17:00 dep.). If you finish early, be mindful of the wait at Todai Park.

Reference: Ina City – Southern Alps Forest Road Bus

Climbing route and safety notes

Route: Mt. Shinjanukeyama lies on the Sen-Shio Ridge deep in the Southern Alps and is reached on a 2- to 3-night traverse. From the Shiomidake side: Torikura trailhead → Sanpuku-toge (about 3 hours, overnight) → Mt. Shiomidake (about 4 hours) → Mt. Kitaaragawadake → Mt. Shinjanukeyama → Kuma-no-daira (overnight). From the Senjogatake side: Kitazawa-toge → Mt. Senjogatake (about 4 hours) → Mt. Daisenjogatake → Sen-Shio Ridge → Kuma-no-daira → Mt. Shinjanukeyama. Mt. Shiomidake to Kuma-no-daira takes about 4–5 hours, and Mt. Shinjanukeyama lies along that section.

Summit and ridge notes: Because the trail contours around the east side of the summit, you must make a short there-and-back from the ridge junction to reach the top; take care not to walk past the summit marker. The Sen-Shio Ridge is a long, quiet traverse with few escape routes, so you need ample fitness and schedule margin. Near the tree line, watch for strong wind, lightning, and sudden weather changes.

Water, huts, season: The Kuma-no-daira Hut, your base, has a water source, but water is scarce along the ridge, so refill at each hut. In 2026 the Kuma-no-daira Hut offers hut lodging only from July 11 to August 31 (planned) for repair work, while tent camping and the shop continue until the work is finished. There is a tent site (about 20 tents, to be confirmed); check the latest information for both lodging and camping before you go. The climbing season is mid-July to mid-September, while the huts operate.
― Kuma-no-daira Hut (reservations) 03-6265-6967 (10:00–17:00) / Tokushu Tokai Forest 0547-46-4717 (9:00–16:00)

Gear and emergencies: Carry 2–3 nights’ food, warm layers, rain gear, a headlamp, a map/GPS, and plenty of water. In an emergency call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Ina Police Station 0265-72-0110

Photo by Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain