Mt. Arasawa

Mt. Arasawa (荒沢岳, 1,969 m) in Uonuma, Niigata, is one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains.
A sharp peak overlooking Lake Okutadami, it is prized for the rocky crux of Mae-gura with its continuous chains and ladders, and for the wide view of the mountains of Echigo from the summit. The route from Ginzandaira is an advanced round trip of about 8 to 10 hours, requiring technique to pass Mae-gura.
The trailhead is Ginzandaira. It is reachable by Minami-Echigo Kanko Bus from the nearest JR Urasa Station, and as the route is long, an overnight stay is realistic.

The trailhead is Ginzandaira (boat landing, parking and toilet). The route runs Ginzandaira → Maeyama → Mae-gura → Mt. Arasawa; the standard round trip is about 8 to 10 hours, advanced. The crux, Mae-gura, is a steep rocky ridge with continuous chains and ladders, especially dangerous when wet. The chains at Mae-gura are usually fitted on the first Saturday of June and removed on the last Saturday of October, so passage is difficult at other times.
As the route is long and Mae-gura takes time, it is safest to stay overnight at Ginzandaira Onsen and set off early. This is black-bear country, so carry a bear bell. The season is early July to mid-October.

*Information last checked: June 6, 2026

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Urasa Station → Ginzandaira (Mt. Arasawa trailhead)
2. [Return] Ginzandaira → Urasa Station

1. [Outbound] Urasa Station → Ginzandaira (Mt. Arasawa trailhead)

The nearest base is Urasa Station (Joetsu Shinkansen / JR Joetsu Line). From the east exit of Urasa Station, take the Minami-Echigo Kanko Bus (bound for Okutadami Dam) to Ginzandaira boat landing (about 1 hour). This bus runs seasonally only on weekends and holidays from June 1 to October 13 and daily on August 13–17, and only the afternoon service stops at Ginzandaira (the morning service passes through).
As the climb is a long 8 to 10 hours, it is practical to arrive at Ginzandaira on the afternoon bus, stay overnight at Ginzandaira Onsen, and set off early the next morning. On non-operating days, a taxi from Urasa toward Okutadami can also be arranged (check with the Uonuma Tourism Association).
– Minami-Echigo Kanko Bus, Koide office 025-792-8114

Bus timetable: Urasa Station east exit → Ginzandaira boat landing (Minami-Echigo Kanko Bus, Okutadami Dam line)

Source: [Uonuma Tourism Association]

2. [Return] Ginzandaira → Urasa Station

After descending, return from Ginzandaira boat landing to Urasa Station by Minami-Echigo Kanko Bus. There are a morning and an afternoon service, so choose according to your descent time. If you miss the last bus, only a taxi remains, so allow plenty of margin.

Bus timetable: Ginzandaira boat landing → Urasa Station east exit (Minami-Echigo Kanko Bus, Okutadami Dam line)

Source: [Uonuma Tourism Association]

Route and safety notes

Route: Ginzandaira → Maeyama → Mae-gura → Mt. Arasawa. The standard round trip is about 8 to 10 hours, advanced. The climb to Maeyama is through forest, and beyond it Mae-gura is the crux.

Mae-gura chains: Mae-gura is a steep rocky ridge with continuous chains and ladders, with wet rock and exposed sections. The chains are in place only from the first Saturday of June to the last Saturday of October; otherwise passage is difficult. Keep three points of contact and do not force it.

Bears and gear: this is black-bear country, so carry a bear bell and avoid going alone. Water sources are limited, so carry plenty.

Season and overnight: the season is early July to mid-October. As the route is long, an overnight at Ginzandaira Onsen is safest. Carry rain and warm gear, a map and compass (GPS), and submit a climbing plan.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Uonuma City Office 025-792-1000

Photo by Oyama no taisho / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain