Mt. Hirokouchi

Mt. Hirokouchi (Hirokouchidake, 2895 m) is the highest peak of the Shirane-nanrei ridge in the Southern Alps, on the border of Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, and one of Japan’s 100 Highest Mountains.
It stands at the head of the Shirane-nanrei, which runs south from Mt. Notori via the Daimonzawa descent point; because it sits just south of that junction, it is relatively easy to reach by climbing the Daimonzawa from Narada, and the summit commands a wide view of Mt. Ainodake, Mt. Shiomi and Mt. Fuji. The usual route is one night and two days: climb the Daimonzawa from Narada, stay at the Daimonzawa-goya hut, and make a return trip to the summit from the Daimonzawa descent point. It can also be reached on the Shirane-nanrei traverse over Mt. Sasa and Mt. Okomori.
The gateway is Narada. The Hayakawa community bus reaches Narada from Minobu Station on the Minobu Line, so it can be approached by public transport.

The trailhead is the Narada No. 1 Power Station (entrance to the Daimonzawa trail, about 840 m), roughly a 30-minute walk from Narada Onsen. The main route runs Narada No. 1 Power Station → Daimonzawa trail entrance → Daimonzawa-goya hut (overnight) → Daimonzawa descent point → Mt. Hirokouchi; the first day to the hut takes about 4 to 5 hours, and on the second day you cross the descent point and make a return trip to the summit. The Daimonzawa involves stream crossings, log bridges and a long steep climb, and above the descent point it becomes a rocky ridge above the tree line.
The Daimonzawa-goya hut, the staging base toward the ridge, is open July 1 to October 14, 2026 (reservations by phone). The season is July to mid-October while the hut is open; outside it, snow and ice make the route unsuitable for general hikers. Always check the latest trail, hut and bus conditions in advance.

*Information last checked: June 14, 2026

Getting to the trailhead

1. [Outbound] Minobu Station → Narada → Narada No. 1 Power Station (Hayakawa community bus)
2. [Return] Narada → Minobu Station (Hayakawa community bus)

1. [Outbound] Minobu Station → Narada → Narada No. 1 Power Station (Hayakawa community bus)

Minobu Station on the JR Minobu Line is the base; take the Hayakawa community bus run by Hayakawa Town to Narada Onsen. Reservation is required (book by 19:00 the day before), and a large pack such as a climbing rucksack costs an extra 200 yen.

Timetable 1: Minobu Station → Narada Onsen (Hayakawa community bus)

Narada → Narada No. 1 Power Station (trailhead): from Narada Onsen it is about a 30-minute walk to the Narada No. 1 Power Station at the Daimonzawa trail entrance. In the summer season (June 26 to November 3 in 2026) the South Alps forest-road bus also runs between Narada and Hirogawara and stops near the power station (user cooperation fee 300 yen per person one way). Staying overnight and starting early is safest.
Enquiries: check the latest bus and forest-road information with Hayakawa Town Hall (0556-45-2511).

Reference: [Hayakawa Town public transport (Hayakawa community bus)] / [Daimonzawa-goya]

2. [Return] Narada → Minobu Station (Hayakawa community bus)

After descending, return from the Narada No. 1 Power Station to Narada Onsen (about a 30-minute walk or the forest-road bus) and take the Hayakawa community bus to Minobu Station. This too requires a reservation, so book a service that fits your descent day in advance.

Timetable 2: Narada Onsen → Minobu Station (Hayakawa community bus)

Reference: [Hayakawa Town public transport (Hayakawa community bus)] / [Daimonzawa-goya]

Climbing routes and trail times

Route 1: Daimonzawa route (shortest, one night two days)
Narada No. 1 Power Station (840 m) → Daimonzawa trail entrance → Daimonzawa-goya hut (about 1765 m, about 4 to 5 hours, overnight) → Daimonzawa descent point (about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours) → Mt. Hirokouchi (2895 m, about 30 to 40 minutes). Descend by the same route. Mt. Hirokouchi sits just south of the Daimonzawa descent point, so you can make a return trip to the summit separately from the Mt. Notori direction (north). The Daimonzawa is a strenuous trail of stream crossings, log bridges and a long steep climb; most hikers reach the hut on the first day and stand on the summit via the descent point the next morning. Above the descent point it is rocky, creeping-pine ridge above the tree line, with a wide view of Mt. Ainodake, Mt. Shiomi and Mt. Fuji.

Route 2: Shirane-nanrei traverse
It can also be reached by climbing the Sasayama Direct Ridge from Narada to Mt. Sasa (Kurokouchidake), then following Mt. Shirakouchi (2813 m) and Mt. Okomori (2767 m) to Mt. Hirokouchi. This is an advanced route with no huts on the ridge, where tent camping is the norm, and it can be combined into a loop descending the Daimonzawa from the descent point. It is also a starting point for extending north to Mt. Notori (3026 m) and on toward the Shirane Three Peaks.

Mountain huts and lodging

Daimonzawa-goya (on the Daimonzawa route, about 1765 m): the hut used as a base before and after climbing Mt. Hirokouchi, open July 1 to October 14, 2026. Reservations by phone (tel. 090-7635-4244, 9:30–17:00); check-in 14:00–16:00. Drinking water can be bought at the hut. Splitting the long Daimonzawa ascent and descent at the hut makes for a manageable schedule.

On the ridge: there are no mountain huts along the ridge from the Daimonzawa descent point over Mt. Hirokouchi and the Shirane-nanrei. On a traverse with tent camping, flat sites are limited and water must be carried up.

Narada Onsen: there is lodging at the Narada trailhead, useful as a base for the night before or after. Check reservations and opening periods on each operator’s website or by phone.

Hazards, gear and best season

Difficulty: Mt. Hirokouchi has a large elevation gain and is hard to do as a day trip — an advanced route combining the steep Daimonzawa with a ridge walk approaching 3000 m, requiring the stamina and experience for a hut overnight at Daimonzawa-goya.

Daimonzawa crossings and climb: the Daimonzawa is a strenuous trail of stream crossings, log bridges and a long steep climb. Crossings become dangerous when the water is high, so take particular care after rain.

Weather on the ridge: above the Daimonzawa descent point the ridge carries a high risk of lightning, strong wind and hypothermia, and escape is difficult. It is easy to lose the route in cloud, so carry a map and compass (GPS) and do not push on if a storm threatens.

Snow: around the edges of the season (June, or late October onward) snow remains on the ridge and the upper Daimonzawa, and light crampons and an ice axe may be needed. Check snow conditions at Daimonzawa-goya.

Season and gear: the season is July to mid-October while Daimonzawa-goya is open. Carry rain gear, warm layers, a headlamp and plenty of water and food, and always file a climbing plan. For a traverse with tent camping, bring camping gear and extra water.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire and rescue).
– Minami Alps Police Station 055-282-0110 / Hayakawa Town Hall 0556-45-2511

Photo by Σ64 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0