Mount Asakusa (Asakusadake, 1,585 m) sits on the border of Uonuma City in Niigata and Tadami Town in Fukushima, and is one of Japan’s 300 Famous Mountains.
A peak of the Echigo Mountains and one of the “Four Famous Mountains of Tadami,” its appeal lies in the colonies of Himesayuri lilies that bloom in early summer and the wide views of Lake Tagokura and Mount Aizu-Komagatake from the summit. From the Nezumochi-daira trailhead on the Niigata side it is about 3 hours 10 minutes to the summit via Maedake, an intermediate route, with a popular loop linking the Sakurazone meadow.
Public transport to the trailheads is limited, so you reach them by combining a taxi from Oshirakawa or Tadami Station on the JR Tadami Line.
The main trailheads on the Niigata side are Nezumochi-daira (with parking and toilets) and Sakurazone meadow, the shortest being the Nezumochi-daira route. The main route is Nezumochi-daira → Maedake → Mount Asakusa (1,585 m), about 3 hours 10 minutes to the summit and roughly 5–6 hours round trip, an intermediate route. From the summit and ridge there are wide views of Lake Tagokura, Mount Sumon and Mount Aizu-Komagatake.
The best season is early summer to autumn (June–October); the Himesayuri lilies peak in mid-to-late June, and National Route 252 (the Rokujūrigoe road) is closed in winter from mid-November to early May. Always check the latest road conditions and arrange a taxi before you go.
*Last checked: June 7, 2026
How to access the trailheads
1. [There & Back] Oshirakawa / Tadami Station ⇄ trailheads (Tadami Line + taxi)
The JR Tadami Line is your base. There is no direct bus to Mount Asakusa, so combine a taxi from the nearest station.
① Niigata side: Oshirakawa Station → Nezumochi-daira trailhead (taxi)
From Koide Station on the JR Joetsu Line, change to the Tadami Line and get off at Oshirakawa Station (about 45 minutes from Koide). The Tadami Line has very few trains, so check the times in advance. It is about 11.7 km from Oshirakawa Station to the Nezumochi-daira trailhead, so take a taxi (roughly 20–30 minutes).
— Kanko Taxi (Uonuma) 025-792-1100 / Okutadami Taxi, etc.
② Fukushima side: Tadami Station → Tadamizawa / Rokujūrigoe trailhead (taxi)
From the Aizu-Wakamatsu direction, Tadami Station on the Tadami Line is the base. As the former Tagokura Station closed in 2013, take a taxi from Tadami Station to the Tadamizawa trailhead (Tagokura) or the Rokujūrigoe trailhead.
— Tadami Kanko Taxi 0241-82-2202.
③ Note (winter closure): the section of National Route 252 (the Rokujūrigoe snow-cut road) east of Oshirakawa is closed in winter from mid-November to early May, so you cannot drive through between Fukushima and Niigata. Note also that Asakusa Sansō lodge closed on March 31, 2026.
By car: there is parking at Nezumochi-daira. It is about 1 hour from the Koide IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway via National Route 252.
References: [Uonuma Tourism Association: Mount Asakusa] ／ [Tadami Tourism Association]
Trail Guide and Safety Notes
Route: the main route is Nezumochi-daira → Maedake → Mount Asakusa (1,585 m) and back, about 3 hours 10 minutes to the summit and roughly 5–6 hours round trip, an intermediate route. There are also a loop linking the Sakurazone meadow, the Tadamizawa trailhead on the Fukushima side (Tadami ridge, about 3 hours 30 minutes) and a route from the Rokujūrigoe trailhead.
Snow and weather: in spring and early summer, snow patches remain along streams and on north-facing slopes, so beware of slips and breaking through. The summit area is windy and can be socked in by mist. To protect the Himesayuri lilies, do not leave the trail. It is Asian black bear country.
Views and flowers: from the summit there is a panorama of Lake Tagokura, Mount Sumon and Mount Aizu-Komagatake. In mid-to-late June the Himesayuri lilies colour the ridge, and the understorey has many snow camellias. The autumn colours are lovely.
Equipment and emergencies: carry rain gear, warm clothing, a headlamp, a map/GPS, plenty of food and a bear bell. In an accident or emergency call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/ambulance).
・Uonuma Police Station 025-792-0110
Photo by Qwert1234 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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