Mt. Yokotoshi

Mt. Yokotoshi (Yokotoshidake, 2767 m) is one of Japan’s 100 Highest Mountains, on the main ridge of the Jonen range in the southern Northern Alps.
A gentle summit between Mt. Jonen and Mt. Otensho, just north of the Jonen-norikoshi pass, it sits on the Jonen traverse and commands a sweep of Mt. Yari, the Hotaka range and the Azumino basin from its top. It is only about 40 minutes from the Jonen-norikoshi pass (Jonen-goya hut), so it is usually climbed together with Mt. Jonen by staying one night at the hut after coming up the Ichinosawa valley. It can also be reached on the Omote-Ginza traverse from Nakabusa Onsen over Mt. Tsubakuro and Mt. Otensho.
The trailhead at Ichinosawa is reached by taxi from Hotaka Station on the JR Oito Line.

Mt. Yokotoshi is the first peak as you climb north along the main ridge from the Jonen-norikoshi pass; the trail skirts the western flank, so the summit is a detour of just a few minutes. The standard plan is one night and two days: about 4 hours 20 minutes from the Ichinosawa trailhead to the Jonen-norikoshi pass (Jonen-goya hut), then climbing Mt. Yokotoshi and Mt. Jonen the next day. The season is late April to early November while the Jonen-goya hut is open; outside it, snow and ice make the route unsuitable for general hikers. Always check the latest trail, hut and taxi conditions in advance.

*Information last checked: June 14, 2026

1. [Outbound] Hotaka Station → Ichinosawa trailhead (taxi)
2. [Return] Ichinosawa trailhead → Hotaka Station (taxi)

1. [Outbound] Hotaka Station → Ichinosawa trailhead (taxi)

To reach the Ichinosawa trailhead, take a taxi (Nan-an Taxi, Azumi Kanko Taxi, etc.) from the rank in front of Hotaka Station on the JR Oito Line — about 45 minutes. Because the Ichinosawa forest road has collapsed, only designated taxi companies may drive the collapse site–trailhead section, so booking ahead is recommended. From the Ichinosawa trailhead it is about 4 hours 20 minutes to the Jonen-goya hut at the Jonen-norikoshi pass, and about 40 minutes more from the hut to Mt. Yokotoshi. There is no regular bus, so by public transport a taxi from Hotaka Station is the basic option.
Fare: Hotaka Station → Ichinosawa trailhead, taxi about 7500 to 9000 yen (around 2000 yen per person shared between four). Staying the night before in Hotaka or Azumino and starting early is safest.

Reference: [Nan-an Taxi trailhead fare table] / [Jonen-goya official trail information]

2. [Return] Ichinosawa trailhead → Hotaka Station (taxi)

After descending, take a taxi from the Ichinosawa trailhead back to Hotaka Station. Call a taxi where there is mobile signal at the trailhead car park or mountain information centre, or book in advance for your expected descent time to be sure. The fare is about 7500 to 9500 yen, trailhead → Hotaka Station. After descending you can freshen up at Shakunage-no-yu (650 yen) and other hot springs in the Hotaka onsen area.

Reference: [Nan-an Taxi trailhead fare table]

Climbing routes and trail times

Route 1: Ichinosawa route (shortest, one night two days)

Ichinosawa trailhead → Otaki → Munatsuki-hatcho → Jonen-norikoshi pass / Jonen-goya hut (2450 m, about 4 hours 20 minutes, overnight) → Mt. Yokotoshi (2767 m, about 40 minutes). Climbing north along the main ridge from the Jonen-norikoshi pass brings you to Mt. Yokotoshi; the trail skirts the western flank, so the summit is a detour of just a few minutes. The classic plan is to reach the hut on the first day, make a return trip to Mt. Yokotoshi the next morning, and also take in Mt. Jonen (2857 m, about 1 hour 30 minutes round trip from the pass) to the south. Descend via Ichinosawa.

Route 2: Omote-Ginza and Jonen traverse
It can also be reached on the Omote-Ginza-to-Jonen traverse: Nakabusa Onsen → Mt. Tsubakuro → Mt. Otensho (2922 m) → Mt. Higashi-Otensho → Mt. Yokotoshi → Jonen-norikoshi pass. The stretch from Mt. Yokotoshi to Mt. Higashi-Otensho is a broad ridge with little up and down, a pleasant traverse with Mt. Yari ahead. It is also a waypoint on longer traverses continuing from the pass over Mt. Jonen and Mt. Cho to Kamikochi.

Mountain huts and lodging

Jonen-goya (Jonen-norikoshi pass, 2450 m): the hut used as a base for climbing Mt. Yokotoshi, standing at the Jonen-norikoshi pass in the saddle between Mt. Jonen and Mt. Yokotoshi. Capacity about 200, with a tent site (about 20 tents). Summer season late April to early November (tel. 090-1430-3328). Water can be bought at the hut, and the toilets are by cooperation fee. Both Mt. Yokotoshi and Mt. Jonen can be climbed from here.

Huts on the traverse: on the Omote-Ginza and Jonen traverse, hikers use Daitenso (Mt. Otensho), Enzanso (Mt. Tsubakuro), Chogatake Hutte (Mt. Cho) and others. Check reservations and opening periods on each official website or by phone.

Water: the Ichinosawa route has the Munatsuki-hatcho water source (around 2000 m), and water can be bought at Jonen-goya. There is no water source on the ridge, so carry plenty.

Hazards, gear and best season

Difficulty: Mt. Yokotoshi itself is a gentle ridge walk from the Jonen-norikoshi pass with no chains or difficult sections. However, the Ichinosawa route has a large elevation gain, with a long climb to Jonen-goya and the steep Munatsuki-hatcho demanding stamina. A day trip is difficult, and an overnight at Jonen-goya is assumed.

The Ichinosawa climb: the valley trail has stream crossings, residual snow and the steep Munatsuki-hatcho, so take care when water is high or snow remains. Because of the forest-road collapse, access to the trailhead is limited to designated taxis.

Weather on the ridge: the main ridge beyond the Jonen-norikoshi pass is above the tree line, exposed to lightning, strong wind and sudden cloud. It is easy to lose the route in cloud, so carry a map and compass (GPS), and stay off the ridge if a storm threatens.

Snow: from late April to June and from late October, snow remains on Ichinosawa and the ridge, and light crampons and an ice axe may be needed. Check snow conditions at Jonen-goya.

Season and gear: the season is late April to early November while Jonen-goya is open (midsummer to the autumn colours is most comfortable). Carry rain gear, warm layers, a hat, gloves, a headlamp and plenty of water and food, and always file a climbing plan.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire and rescue).
– Azumino Police Station 0263-72-3000 / Azumino City Crisis Management Division 0263-71-2080

Photo by Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0