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

From in front of JR Hotaka Station, board the “Regular Bus to Nakabusa Onsen” operated by Nan-an Taxi and get off at Nakabusa Onsen. Travel time: 55 minutes Fare: ¥1,500 Operating period: scheduled days from April 24 to November 3, 2026

The number of departures depends on the daily service category: Schedule A, B, or C. Schedule A days run 6 buses including the early 5:15 departure; Schedule B days run 5 buses (no early 5:15); and Schedule C days run only 3 buses, with no morning service and a first departure at 11:10. On selected peak-season dates (marked on the operator’s service calendar), an extra 4:30 departure is added to Schedule A. Always check which category applies to your date on Nan-an Taxi’s official service calendar.

For the Nakabusa Line bus timetables, parking and day-use bathing at the trailhead, see the Nakabusa Onsen trailhead hub.

Bus TimetableHotaka Station to Nakabusa Onsen

Schedule A days (red = runs only on designated dates marked on the service calendar)

Hotaka Station (dep.)	Nakabusa Onsen (arr.)
4:30	5:25
5:15	6:10
6:40	7:35
8:25	9:20
11:10	12:05
12:55	13:50
14:50	15:45

Schedule B days (no early 5:15 departure)

Hotaka Station (dep.)	Nakabusa Onsen (arr.)
6:40	7:35
8:25	9:20
11:10	12:05
12:55	13:50
14:50	15:45

Schedule C days (no morning service; first bus 11:10)

Hotaka Station (dep.)	Nakabusa Onsen (arr.)
11:10	12:05
12:55	13:50
14:50	15:45

Reference: Nan-an Taxi – Nakabusa Onsen Bus (service calendar)

2. [Outbound] Takebashi Station → Nakabusa Onsen

Board the Mainichi Alpen-go “Mt. Tsubakuro / Mt. Jonen / Mt. Cho” at “Takebashi Station” on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, and get off at the Mt. Tsubakuro Trailhead / Nakabusa Onsen. (Reservation required) Takebashi Station (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line) gather 22:45 / depart 23:00 (Mainichi Shimbun west entrance lobby) Mt. Tsubakuro Trailhead / Nakabusa Onsen arrive around 5:30–6:00 Travel time: about 6–7 hours (overnight) Fare: ¥11,000–17,000 (varies by season and seat, reservation required) Details: Mainichi Alpen-go Hiking Bus Mt. Tsubakuro / Mt. Jonen / Mt. Cho

3. [Return] Nakabusa Onsen → Hotaka Station

From Nakabusa Onsen, board the “Regular Bus to Hotaka Station” operated by Nan-an Taxi and get off at Hotaka Station. Travel time: 55 minutes Fare: ¥1,500 Operating period: scheduled days from April 24 to November 3, 2026

Return buses also vary by service category. Schedule A and B days run 5 buses; on Schedule C days the two morning departures (9:00 and 10:45) do not run, leaving 3 buses.

Bus TimetableNakabusa Onsen to Hotaka Station

Schedule A and B days

Nakabusa Onsen (dep.)	Hotaka Station (arr.)
9:00	9:55
10:45	11:40
12:35	13:30
14:15	15:10
16:15	17:10

Schedule C days (no morning service)

Nakabusa Onsen (dep.)	Hotaka Station (arr.)
12:35	13:30
14:15	15:10
16:15	17:10

Reference: Nan-an Taxi – Nakabusa Onsen Bus (service calendar)

4. [Return] Nakabusa Onsen → Shinjuku Station

From Nakabusa Onsen, board the Mainichi Alpen-go “Mt. Tsubakuro / Mt. Jonen / Mt. Cho” and get off at the terminus, Shinjuku Station West Exit. (Reservation required) Nakabusa Onsen departs 14:00 (via Ariake-sō 14:05 and Chōgatake Onsen Holiday-yu 15:10) Shinjuku Station West Exit arrives around 19:45; Tokyo Station around 20:15 Travel time: about 5–6 hours Fare: ¥8,000 (flat fare, reservation required) Details: Mainichi Alpen-go Hiking Bus Mt. Tsubakuro / Mt. Jonen / Mt. Cho