Mt. Yakedake

Mt. Yakedake (2,444m, North Peak) is a mountain straddling Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture and Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. Located in the southern part of the Hida Mountains (Northern Alps), it is one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains. It is the only active volcano in the Northern Alps, with sulfurous gas venting from fumaroles near the summit. The eruption of 1915 dammed the Azusa River and created the famous Taisho Pond in Kamikochi.

The trailheads are at Naka-no-yu (Shin-Nakanoyu Route, Nagano side) and Kamikochi (Kamikochi Route). Kamikochi Bus Terminal can be reached by Alpico Kotsu bus from Shin-Shimashima Station (approx. 65 min) or from Takayama Station via Nohi Bus to Hirayu Onsen and shuttle bus.

*Timetable last checked: [sc name=”updated_date”][/sc]

The highest point of Mt. Yakedake is the South Peak (2,455m), but it is off-limits to climbers due to unstable rock. The accessible summit is the North Peak (2,444m). The most popular Shin-Nakanoyu Route takes about 4–5 hours round trip from the trailhead (about 6 hours including the 45-min road walk from Naka-no-yu bus stop). The Kamikochi Route via Yakedake Hut takes about 4 hours one way, and a traverse combining both routes is also possible.

Mt. Yakedake is an active volcano. Always check the JMA volcanic alert level before climbing. At alert level 2 or above, the area near the summit is closed. The Kamikochi Route is also closed in winter (late Oct to mid-May) when ladders are removed.

1. Going: Shin-Shimashima Sta. → Kamikochi Bus Terminal

Take the Alpico Kotsu Matsumoto/Shin-Shimashima – Kamikochi bus. From Matsumoto Station, take the Alpico Railway Kamikochi Line to Shin-Shimashima Station (approx. 30 min, ¥710).
*For the Shin-Nakanoyu Route, get off at Naka-no-yu bus stop (approx. 50 min from Shin-Shimashima). It is a 45-min walk on the road from Naka-no-yu to the trailhead.

Bus Timetable Shin-Shimashima Sta. → Kamikochi BT

Ride time: Approx. 65 min (to Kamikochi) / Approx. 50 min (to Naka-no-yu)
Fare: ¥3,000 (one way to Kamikochi)

Operating period: Mid-Apr to mid-Nov (2025: Apr 17 – Nov 15)
*Reservation required from 2025. Book via “Hatsha Orai Net” up to 1 month in advance.

*Naka-no-yu bus stop is approx. 15 min before Kamikochi on each service.

Reference: Alpico Kotsu Kamikochi Line Bus

2. Going: Takayama Nohi BC → Hirayu Onsen → Kamikochi Bus Terminal

From Takayama Nohi Bus Center (approx. 2 min walk from JR Takayama Station), take the Nohi Bus to Hirayu Onsen. Transfer to the Alpico Kotsu Kamikochi shuttle bus at Hirayu Bus Terminal and get off at Kamikochi Bus Terminal.

Bus Timetable Takayama Nohi BC → Hirayu Onsen (Nohi Bus)

Ride time: Approx. 60 min
Fare: ¥1,600

Operating period: Year-round (daily, no reservation required)

Reference: Nohi Bus Takayama–Shin-Hotaka Line

Bus Timetable Hirayu Onsen → Kamikochi BT (Shuttle Bus)

Ride time: Approx. 25 min
Fare: ¥1,500 (one way)

Operating period: Mid-Apr to mid-Nov (same as Kamikochi Line)
*Runs approx. every 30 min. First bus around 6:00 (5:50 on peak days).

*Takayama BC 7:00 dep. (Hirayu arr. 7:58) → connects to Hirayu BT 8:00 shuttle bus.

Reference: Alpico Kotsu Hirayu–Kamikochi Shuttle Bus

3. Return: Kamikochi Bus Terminal → Shin-Shimashima Sta.

Take the Alpico Kotsu Kamikochi Line bus from Kamikochi Bus Terminal to Shin-Shimashima Station.
*For the Shin-Nakanoyu Route, board at Naka-no-yu bus stop.

Bus Timetable Kamikochi BT → Shin-Shimashima Sta.

Ride time: Approx. 65 min
Fare: ¥3,000 (one way)

Reference: Alpico Kotsu Kamikochi Line Bus

4. Return: Kamikochi Bus Terminal → Hirayu Onsen → Takayama Nohi BC

Take the Alpico Kotsu Kamikochi shuttle bus from Kamikochi Bus Terminal to Hirayu Onsen (Hirayu Bus Terminal). Transfer to the Nohi Bus to Takayama Nohi Bus Center.

Bus Timetable Kamikochi BT → Hirayu Onsen (Shuttle Bus)

Ride time: Approx. 25 min
Fare: ¥1,500 (one way)
*Runs approx. every 30 min. Last bus around 17:00.

Bus Timetable Hirayu Onsen → Takayama Nohi BC (Nohi Bus)

Ride time: Approx. 60 min
Fare: ¥1,600

Operating period: Year-round (daily)

*Kamikochi BT 15:00 shuttle (Hirayu arr. approx. 15:25) → connects to Hirayu Onsen 15:33 Nohi Bus.

Reference: Nohi Bus Takayama–Shin-Hotaka Line