Shogigashirayama
Shogigashirayama (2,730 m) lies in Ina City, Nagano Prefecture, and is one of Japan’s 100 highest mountains.
It sits in the northern Kiso Mountains (Central Alps), a gently rounded peak on the ridge north of Mount Kisokoma; its name comes from the way it looks like the head of a shōgi (Japanese chess) piece when seen from the Ina Valley. It is reached on the historic “Nishikoma climbing trail (Katsurakoba route),” a classic path known for the “Seishoku no Hi” monument to a 1913 school-climbing disaster (the setting of Jiro Nitta’s novel) and the Nishikoma Hut just below the summit.
There is no public bus to the trailhead, so take a taxi from Ina-shi Station on the JR Iida Line to the Katsurakoba trailhead.
The trailhead is Katsurakoba (about 1,270 m). The standard route is Katsurakoba → Ōtaru emergency hut → Munatsuki-hatchō → Shogigashirayama, about 4 hours 30 minutes up. Fit hikers can do it as a day trip, but it is also classic to stay one night at the Nishikoma Hut just below the summit and traverse on to Mount Kisokoma. The trail is a well-maintained classic route, but with about 1,460 m of elevation gain and a long day it suits intermediate-to-advanced hikers.
Just below the summit, the Nishikoma Hut is open from July 11 to October 12 in 2026 (reservations required); outside that period part of the hut is left open as an emergency shelter. The Ōtaru emergency hut (unstaffed) along the way can also be used. The season runs from July to mid-October. On the ridge above the tree line, watch for sudden weather changes and strong wind; the prefectural road to Katsurakoba is closed in winter from the first Friday of December to the first Friday of April. Always check the latest trail, hut and road conditions before you go.
How to access the trailheads
1. [Round trip] Ina-shi Station → Katsurakoba (trailhead, taxi)
The gateway is Ina-shi Station on the JR Iida Line. There is no bus to the Katsurakoba trailhead, so take a taxi from the station.
① Ina-shi Station → Katsurakoba (taxi)
From Ina-shi Station to the Katsurakoba trailhead is about 25 minutes by taxi, roughly ¥3,500. There is no public phone at Katsurakoba and mobile reception is poor, so book the pick-up before you set off and allow plenty of margin around your descent time.
― Ina Taxi 0265-76-5111
② By car
From the Ina IC or Ogurogawa Smart IC on the Chūō Expressway, take the Ina-Komagatake prefectural road and others to the Katsurakoba parking area (about 13 km from Ina IC). There is parking for a few cars near the end of the forest road along the Oguro River. The prefectural road to Katsurakoba is closed in winter from the first Friday of December to the first Friday of April. The road that collapsed in the 2021 heavy rain has reopened via a detour.
Inquiries: For the latest trail, road and hut information, contact Ina City Tourism Co. (0265-94-6001).
Reference: [Ina City — Katsurakoba trailhead access] / [Nishikoma Hut]
Climbing routes and safety notes
Route: Katsurakoba (1,270 m) → Budō-no-izumi spring → Umagaeshi → Ōtaru emergency hut (about 1,990 m) → Munatsuki-hatchō (steep climb) → Shogigashira junction → Shogigashirayama (2,730 m). About 4 hours 30 minutes up and 3 hours 30 minutes down, so fit hikers can do it as a day trip. Staying at the Nishikoma Hut just below the summit lets you traverse on the next day to Mount Kisokoma (2,956 m) (about 12 hours 25 minutes over two days).
Trail and stamina: The Katsurakoba route is a well-maintained classic route with a clear path, but with about 1,460 m of elevation gain, a long day and the steep Munatsuki-hatchō climb. Because the times are long, start early and plan with energy to spare. On the ridge above the tree line, watch for sudden weather changes, strong wind and lightning, and carry a map/GPS in case of route-finding difficulty in fog.
Huts and emergency shelter: Just below the summit, the Nishikoma Hut is open from July 11 to October 12 in 2026 (reservations required; capacity about 28, reservations 050-6860-6005). Outside that period part of the hut is left open as an emergency shelter, and the Ōtaru emergency hut (unstaffed) along the way can also be used. Water is scarce on the ridge, so carry enough from below.
History: Near the summit stands the “Seishoku no Hi,” a monument to the 1913 school-climbing disaster of Nakaminowa Elementary School, known as the setting of Jiro Nitta’s novel “Seishoku no Hi”.
Gear and season: The season runs from July to mid-October. Carry rain gear, warm clothing, a headlamp, a map/GPS, and plenty of water and food.
Emergencies: In an accident, call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Ina Police Station 0265-72-0110
Photo by Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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