Mt. Tateshina

Mt. Tateshina (Tateshinayama, 蓼科山, 2,531 m) sits at the northern end of the Yatsugatake Range. One of the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan, its clean conical profile has earned it the nickname “Suwa Fuji”. The summit is bare volcanic rock with no trees, opening a 360° panorama: Yatsugatake, the Northern Alps, the Southern Alps, and Mt. Fuji.
From JR Chūō Main Line Chino Station, take the seasonal Tateshina Kōgen Round Bus to the Tateshinayama Trailhead. Travel time about 60 min.

Tateshina is listed in the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains and the Shinshū 100. The shortest route is a round trip from Megami-jaya (Tateshinayama Trailhead bus stop) of about 4 h 30 min (elev. gain ~785 m). The climbing season is late May to late October, with alpine flowers in summer and colour in autumn.

*Timetable last checked: May 17, 2026

How to access the trailheads

1. [Going] Chino Station → Tateshinayama Trailhead bus stop
2. [Return] Tateshinayama Trailhead bus stop → Chino Station
3. Recommended plans and trail-area info

1. [Going] Chino Station → Tateshinayama Trailhead bus stop

From the Tateshina Kōgen Round Bus stand at the east exit of JR Chino Station, board the bus bound for Kita-Yatsugatake Ropeway and get off at “Tateshinayama Trailhead” (Megami-jaya) bus stop. Only one round trip per day, so plan your climb tightly around the schedule.
Fare: Chino Station → Tateshinayama Trailhead, ¥1,700
Time: about 60 min
Operating period: weekends/holidays + daily late July to late August (check the official calendar)

Bus timetableChino Station → Tateshinayama Trailhead (Tateshina Kōgen Round Bus 2026 summer)

Reference: Alpico Kōtsū — Tateshina Kōgen Round Bus

2. [Return] Tateshinayama Trailhead bus stop → Chino Station

After descending, take the Tateshina Kōgen Round Bus from the Tateshinayama Trailhead back to Chino Station east exit. The return run is also a single 14:35 service, so finish your climb with plenty of margin.
Fare: Tateshinayama Trailhead → Chino Station, ¥1,700
Time: about 60 min

Bus timetableTateshinayama Trailhead → Chino Station (Tateshina Kōgen Round Bus 2026 summer)

Reference: Alpico Kōtsū — Tateshina Kōgen Round Bus

3. Recommended plans and trail-area info

Standard Megami-jaya day trip: Chino 7:20 → Tateshinayama Trailhead 8:53 → Megami-jaya → 2,113 m point → Tateshinayama summit (round trip about 4 h 30 min) → Megami-jaya → Tateshinayama Trailhead 14:35 dep. → Chino 16:09. If you miss the 14:35 return, no public transport remains and you will need a taxi (about ¥8,000).
Ōkawara Pass loop: drive up the Tateshina Skyline to the (free) Ōkawara Pass lot (summer only) and round trip the summit via Shōgun-daira (about 4 h). The shortest northern approach.
Kitayokodake traverse: Kita-Yatsugatake Ropeway → Tsuboniwa → Kita-yokodake → Shimagare-yama → Chausu-yama → Tateshinayama (about 8 h, fit hikers).

Photo by Alpsdake