Mt. Tsubakuro

Mt. Tsubakuro (燕岳) is a 2,763m peak in the Northern Alps.
Called the “Queen of the Alps,” it is an elegant and beautiful mountain. With white granite gravel, colorful alpine plants including Komakusa, and the ability to climb relatively safely through all four seasons, it is beloved by many hikers as a healing paradise and a popular choice for first-time Northern Alps climbs. It is one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains.
From Hotaka Station on the JR Oito Line, you can access the Nakabusa Onsen trailhead by bus.

The trailhead is the Mt. Tsubakuro Trailhead at Nakabusa Onsen (elevation about 1,450m). From there to Enzan-so (elevation about 2,712m) is a distance of about 5.5km and an elevation gain of about 1,260m, with a well-maintained trail taking about 5 hours. The trail to Kassen Hut is a continuous steep climb, but the path is well-maintained for safety.

*Timetable last checked: July 3, 2026

1. [Outbound] Hotaka Station → Nakabusa Onsen

Bus TimetableHotaka Station → Ariakeyama-jinja → Nakabusa Onsen

You board the Nakabusa Line shared bus in front of Hotaka Station. A debris flow on 8 August 2026 washed away the Kurokawa Bridge on the Nakabusa prefectural road, so a temporary timetable applies from 22 August until further notice. The bus from Hotaka Station now runs only as far as Ariakeyama-jinja; from there you change to a nine-seat jumbo taxi for Nakabusa Onsen. The connection is immediate, with no waiting time. The fare to Nakabusa Onsen is unchanged at ¥1,500 one way, and the ticket you buy at Hotaka Station is also used on the connecting taxi (show it to the driver). Reservation required. Times differ between “A-schedule days” (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) and “B-schedule days” (other weekdays). The road closes when it rains and no buses run — see the access status at the top of this article.

Reference : Azumino City Tourism Association — reopening of the Nakabusa road and the temporary bus timetable (with the A/B calendar)

2. [Outbound] Takebashi Station → Nakabusa Onsen

Night BusTakebashi → Mt. Tsubakuro Trailhead / Nakabusa Onsen

The overnight “Mainichi Alpen-go” runs from Tokyo (reservation required, seasonal). Because of the collapse on the Nakabusa prefectural road it no longer runs through to Nakabusa Onsen for departures from 21 August 2026. You change to the scheduled bus at Hotaka Station. The bus fare between Hotaka Station and Nakabusa Onsen is included in the tour price, and the ticket is handed to you when you leave Takebashi. The fare is ¥11,000–17,000 outbound, depending on the season and seat.

Reference : Mainichi Alpen-go — Tsubakuro / Jōnen area (outbound)

3. [Return] Nakabusa Onsen → Hotaka Station

Bus TimetableNakabusa Onsen → Ariakeyama-jinja → Hotaka Station

The return uses the same temporary timetable. You take the connecting jumbo taxi from Nakabusa Onsen down to Ariakeyama-jinja and change there to the shared bus for Hotaka Station. Return times are the same on A-schedule and B-schedule days. ¥1,500 one way, reservation required.

Reference : Azumino City Tourism Association — reopening of the Nakabusa road and the temporary bus timetable (with the A/B calendar)

4. [Return] Nakabusa Onsen → Shinjuku Station

Night BusNakabusa Onsen → Shinjuku / Tokyo

The “Mainichi Alpen-go” also runs back to Tokyo (reservation required, seasonal). It too stopped running through for departures from 22 August 2026: you come down to Hotaka Station on the scheduled bus and change there. From Ariake-sō the departure is 12:38. Tokyo Station (Marunouchi side) is reached around 20:15. The return fare is a flat ¥8,000.

Reference : Mainichi Alpen-go — return, Nakabusa area