Mt. Yari-ga-take (槍ヶ岳)

Mt. Yari-ga-take (槍ヶ岳) is a 3,180m peak in the southern Northern Alps in Nagano Prefecture.
As its name suggests, the distinctive shape of a spear piercing the sky has earned it the nickname “the Matterhorn of Japan.”
Crowded with climbers, it is, alongside Mt. Hotaka, an object of admiration for many.

If the goal is to climb only Mt. Yari-ga-take, starting from Kamikochi is standard.
This page introduces access to Kamikochi.

*Timetable last checked: May 11, 2026

How to access the trailheads

[Going] Shin-Shimashima Station → Kamikochi Bus Terminal
[Going] Kanto / Kansai / Nagano → Kamikochi Bus Terminal (Sawayaka Shinshu-go)
[Return] Kamikochi Bus Terminal → Shin-Shimashima Station
[Return] Kamikochi Bus Terminal → Kanto / Kansai (Sawayaka Shinshu-go)

1. [Going] Shin-Shimashima Station → Kamikochi Bus Terminal

From the Alpico Kotsu bus terminal in front of Shin-Shimashima Station, take the “Matsumoto – Shin-Shimashima – Kamikochi” line to Kamikochi Bus Terminal.
Travel time: approximately 65 minutes / Fare (adult one way): Shin-Shimashima → Kamikochi ¥2,850 (revised 2026/4/17)
Operating period: April 17 – November 15, 2026 (reservation system)

Bus TimetableShin-Shimashima Station → Kamikochi Bus Terminal

Shin-Shimashima Station Dep.	Kamikochi BT Arr.
07:10	08:15
08:00	09:05
08:40	09:45
09:30	10:35
10:05	11:10
10:50	11:55
10:50	11:55
11:30	12:35
12:10	13:15
12:50	13:55
13:30	14:35
14:10	15:15
14:50	15:55
15:30	16:35

Reference (official):
Route guide & reservation page
Detailed timetable PDF (2026/4/17–11/15)
Detailed fare table PDF

2. [Going] Kanto / Kansai / Nagano → Kamikochi Bus Terminal (Sawayaka Shinshu-go)

※ Regarding 2026 operating information: Osaka / Kyoto → Kamikochi (4/17 – 11/14) and Nagano → Kamikochi (4/26 – 11/15) are confirmed to operate. The 2026 operating information for Kanto-departure services from Shinjuku / Shibuya etc. is not yet confirmed (as of 2026-05-11). Verify the latest information on the Sawayaka Shinshu-go official site. The information below is reference information (2026 season reference).

Use the direct highway bus (Sawayaka Shinshu-go / seasonal / reservation required) from major cities. The representative services on each route are below. Verify the operating days on the calendar.

Fare (adult one way): Shinjuku direction from ¥8,000 / Osaka / Kyoto direction from ¥10,000 / Nagano from ¥4,400
Travel time: Shinjuku direction about 5 hours / Osaka / Kyoto direction about 7 – 8 hours (overnight) / Nagano about 2 hours 40 minutes

Bus TimetableSawayaka Shinshu-go Bus Timetable

Shinjuku → Kamikochi (daytime / overnight)
Busta Shinjuku Dep.	Kamikochi BT Arr.
07:15	12:02
22:25	05:20 (next day)

Shibuya → Kamikochi (overnight)
Shibuya Mark City Dep.	Kamikochi BT Arr.
22:00	05:20 (next day)

Osaka / Kyoto → Kamikochi (overnight)
Osaka (Hankyu Sanbangai) Dep.	Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit Dep.	Kamikochi BT Arr.
21:30	22:50	05:20 (next day)

Nagano → Kamikochi (daytime)
Nagano Station Dep.	Kamikochi BT Arr.
08:30	11:10

3. [Return] Kamikochi Bus Terminal → Shin-Shimashima Station

From Kamikochi Bus Terminal, board the service bound for Shin-Shimashima Station. Approximately 65 minutes.
Operating period: April 17 – November 15, 2026
Fare: ¥2,850 (revised 2026/4/17)