Mt. Kaikomagatake

Mt. Kaikomagatake (2,967m) is a mountain straddling Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture and Ina City, Nagano Prefecture. Located at the northern end of the Southern Alps (Akaishi Mountains), it is one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains. Its graceful peak of white granite shining against the blue sky has earned it the nickname “Prince of the Southern Alps.” The summit offers a panoramic view of the Northern Alps, Central Alps, and Mt. Fuji.

Access is via the South Alps Forest Road Bus from Todai Park (formerly Senryuso) on the Nagano side to Kitazawa Pass (approx. 50 min, seasonal).

*Timetable last checked: Jul 3, 2026

The main trailhead for Mt. Kaikomagatake is Kitazawa Pass. From Kitazawa Pass, there are two routes: via Mt. Futago (approx. 4–4.5 hrs) and via Sensui Pass (approx. 4.5–5 hrs). A round trip takes about 7 hours. During peak season (Jul 10 – Oct 12) a day trip is feasible (arrive Kitazawa Pass 6:35, last bus 16:00), but on shoulder-season weekdays you arrive at 8:55, leaving little margin for a day hike (consider an overnight hut stay).

For timetables, parking and facilities at the trailhead gateway, see the Todai Park trailhead hub.

Note: The road between Hirogawara and Kitazawa Pass on the Yamanashi side has been closed to vehicles and buses since Typhoon Hagibis (2019). Vehicle and bus access to Kitazawa Pass is only available from the Ina City side (Todai Park), Nagano Prefecture.

To reach Todai Park, take the South Alps Geoliner (seasonal) from JR Chino Station and transfer to the forest road bus, or connect via the Takato and Hase local lines from Ina Bus Terminal (a weekday route). By car, it is approx. 40 minutes from Ina IC on the Chuo Expressway.

1. Going: Chino Sta. → Todai Park → Kitazawa Pass

Take JR Bus Kanto “South Alps Geoliner” from JR Chuo Main Line Chino Station and transfer at Todai Park (formerly Senryuso) to the South Alps Forest Road Bus (Queen Line). Get off at Kitazawa Pass.

Bus Timetable Chino Sta. to Todai Park (South Alps Geoliner)

Ride time: Approx. 65 min
Fare: ¥1,800

Operating period: Mid-Jul to mid-Oct, Fri/Sat/Sun/holidays (2026: Jul 17 – Oct 12)
*Daily service Jul 31 – Aug 16 and Sep 18 – 27

Reference:

Bus Timetable Todai Park to Kitazawa Pass (Forest Road Bus)

Ride time: Approx. 50 min
Fare: ¥1,150 + ¥220 baggage fee (backpacks 18L+)
*Buy tickets before boarding (no onboard payment). The ticket machine at the Todai Park (Senryuso) office accepts credit cards, transport IC cards, and QR-code payment (since April 2025). Kitazawa Pass, Utajuku, and Todai-ohashi are cash only. Ask the operator about when sales open.

Operating period: Early Jun to early Nov (2026: Jun 1 – Nov 3)
*Late Apr to May: service runs only to Utajuku

*On days the 5:45 service runs, the 6:30 service does not operate.
*Geoliner arrives 11:45 → connects to the 12:10 forest road bus.
*On shoulder-season weekdays (Jun 1 – Jul 9 & Oct 13 – Nov 2), the first uphill bus is 8:05 (arr. 8:55) and the 7:30 downhill bus does not run (first downhill 10:00).

Reference: Ina City South Alps Forest Road Bus

2. Going: Ina Bus Terminal (Inashi Sta.) → Todai Park → Kitazawa Pass

A weekday route connecting the Takato Line, Hase Line, and South Alps Queen Line from Inashi Station (Ina Bus Terminal) and Takato. Leave Ina Bus Terminal at 7:13 and, with same-platform connections at Takato Station and Todai Park, arrive at Kitazawa Pass at 8:55.

Bus Timetable Ina Bus Terminal → Takato Sta. → Todai Park → Kitazawa Pass (with transfers)

Travel time: about 1 hr 40 min (incl. transfers)
Fare: ¥2,050 one way (Queen Line ¥1,150 + Hase Line ¥310 + Takato Line ¥590)
Operation: weekdays Jun 1 – Oct 30, 2026 (excl. Aug 13 & 14)

*Connections at Takato Station and Todai Park are smooth, same-platform transfers, linking to the 8:05 South Alps Forest Road Bus from Todai Park.

Reference: JR Bus Kanto

3. Return: Kitazawa Pass → Todai Park → Chino Sta.

Take the South Alps Forest Road Bus (Queen Line) from Kitazawa Pass to Todai Park, then transfer to JR Bus Kanto “South Alps Geoliner” to JR Chino Station.

Bus Timetable Kitazawa Pass to Todai Park (Forest Road Bus)

Ride time: Approx. 45 min
Fare: ¥1,150 + ¥220 baggage fee (backpacks 18L+)

*Forest road bus dep. 16:00 (arr. 16:45) → connects to Geoliner dep. 17:00.

Reference: Ina City South Alps Forest Road Bus

Bus Timetable Todai Park to Chino Sta. (South Alps Geoliner)

Ride time: Approx. 85 min
Fare: ¥1,800

Operating period: Mid-Jul to mid-Oct, Fri/Sat/Sun/holidays (same as outbound)

Reference:

4. Return: Kitazawa Pass → Todai Park → Ina Bus Terminal (Inashi Sta.)

On weekdays you can return toward Ina on the connecting route below (Takato Line, Hase Line, Queen Line). On Fri/Sat/Sun/holidays (designated days), use the South Alps Geoliner route shown further below.

Bus Timetable Kitazawa Pass → Todai Park → Takato Sta. → Ina Bus Terminal (weekday, with transfers)

*Fare and operating days are the same as the outbound route (Section 2): ¥2,050 one way, weekdays.

Reference: JR Bus Kanto

Take the South Alps Forest Road Bus (Queen Line) from Kitazawa Pass to Todai Park. Then take the South Alps Geoliner to Takato Station and transfer to a JR bus to Ina Bus Terminal.

Bus Timetable Kitazawa Pass to Todai Park (Forest Road Bus)

Ride time: Approx. 45 min
Fare: ¥1,150 + ¥220 baggage fee (backpacks 18L+)
*See Section 3 for the timetable.

Bus Timetable Todai Park to Ina Bus Terminal (Geoliner → JR Bus transfer)

Transfer to a JR bus at Takato Station.
Fare: Todai Park → Takato Sta. ¥310 + Takato Sta. → Ina BT ¥590

Operating period: Mid-Jul to mid-Oct, Fri/Sat/Sun/holidays (same as outbound Geoliner)

*Forest road bus dep. 16:00 (arr. 16:45) → connects to Geoliner dep. 17:00.

Reference: