Mt. Koganesawayama (こがねさわやま, 2,014m) on the Koshu / Otsuki City border, Yamanashi, is the 2nd-rank peak of the Shurei Fugaku Twelve Views (paired with Mt. Ushiokunogangaharasuriyama). The 2nd-rank pair has the highest elevation among the Twelve, located on the ridge south of Mt. Daibosatsu. The summit offers a 360° panorama of Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps, and the Yatsugatake range.
The standard route is the Kamihikawa Pass → Daibosatsu Pass → Mt. Koganesawayama → Mt. Ushiokunogangaharasuriyama → Suzuran Insect Museum traverse (~6 hr). Intermediate ★★★★・distance ~11 km・elevation gain 600 m・action time ~6 hours (day hike). Popular as the traverse for the complete 2nd-rank peak conquest.
Access to the trailhead
- [Outbound] Tokyo / Osaka → Kai-Yamato Station (JR Chuo Line local)
- [Outbound / Return] Kai-Yamato Stn ⇔ Kamihikawa Pass / Suzuran Insect Museum (Eiwa Kotsu Bus, summer-only)
- Traverse course, Ushiokunogangaharasuriyama link, suggested plans
Course time (Kamihikawa Pass → Daibosatsu Pass → Mt. Koganesawayama → Mt. Ushiokunogangaharasuriyama → Suzuran Insect Museum traverse, day hike, Intermediate, ~6 hr)
Kamihikawa Pass (1,580 m) → (1:00) → Daibosatsu Pass (1,897 m) → (1:30) → Mt. Koganesawayama summit (2,014 m) → (1:00) → Mt. Ushiokunogangaharasuriyama (2,014 m) → (2:30) → Suzuran Insect Museum (1,200 m)
1. [Outbound] Tokyo / Osaka → Kai-Yamato Station (JR Chuo Line local)
Kai-Yamato Station (JR Chuo Main Line, local-only) is the gateway for Mt. Koganesawayama. From Shinjuku, JR Chuo Line Limited Express Kaiji to Otsuki ~1 hr 5 min・¥3,500, transfer to local ~16 min・¥330 to Kai-Yamato. Or JR Chuo Line local ~1 hr 45 min・¥1,690. From Tokyo Station via local ~2 hr. From Osaka via Shinkansen ~4 hr 30 min. From overseas, Haneda Airport → Shinjuku is convenient.
JR / Shinkansen reference :
Shinjuku Stn → Otsuki Stn → Kai-Yamato Stn : Limited Express Kaiji + local ~1 hr 30 min・¥3,830
Shinjuku Stn → Kai-Yamato Stn : JR Chuo Line local ~1 hr 45 min・¥1,690
Tokyo Stn → Kai-Yamato Stn : JR Chuo Line ~2 hr
Osaka Stn → Kai-Yamato Stn : JR Shinkansen route ~4 hr 30 min
Reference : JR East ｜ Yamakei Online — Kamihikawa Pass
Contact : JR Otsuki Station ☎0554-22-0029
2. [Outbound / Return] Kai-Yamato Stn ⇔ Kamihikawa Pass / Suzuran Insect Museum (Eiwa Kotsu Bus, summer-only)
Kamihikawa Pass (1,580 m, trailhead start) and Suzuran Insect Museum (1,200 m, descent point) are reached by Eiwa Kotsu Bus from JR Chuo Line Kai-Yamato Station. To Kamihikawa Pass ~49 min・¥1,020・4 services/day (summer May-Nov operation); Suzuran Insect Museum has weekend extra service only. Private car: Chuo Expressway Katsunuma IC, ~19 km to Kamihikawa Pass parking (400+ spaces, free). Daibosatsu Forest Road closed mid-December to late April for winter.
Operating period : Eiwa Kotsu Bus typically May – November (climbing season only), weekend extra services (Suzuran Insect Museum route)
Travel time : Kai-Yamato Stn → Kamihikawa Pass ~49 min
Fare : Kamihikawa Pass ¥1,020 (one-way), Suzuran Insect Museum ~¥800
Frequency : 4 services/day (weekdays), increased on weekends
Kai-Yamato Stn → Kamihikawa Pass (Eiwa Kotsu Bus, summer-only, hiker reference)
| Kai-Yamato Stn dep | Kamihikawa Pass arr |
|---|---|
| 8:10 (first) | 9:00 |
| 9:10 | 10:00 |
| 11:10 | 12:00 |
| 14:10 (last) | 15:00 |
Kamihikawa Pass / Suzuran Insect Museum → Kai-Yamato Stn (Eiwa Kotsu Bus, return, summer-only)
| Suzuran Insect Museum dep | Kamihikawa Pass dep | Kai-Yamato Stn arr |
|---|---|---|
| (weekend extra) | 12:30 | 13:20 |
| (weekend extra) | 14:30 | 15:20 |
| (weekend extra) | 16:30 (last) | 17:20 |
Note : Eiwa Kotsu Bus operating days and timetables should always be pre-confirmed at the Eiwa Kotsu official or Koshu City Tourism. Suzuran Insect Museum bus stop is weekend extra only; weekday traverse descent requires walk + taxi (via Kamihikawa Pass). After descent, Daibosatsu-no-Yu (Koshu City) or Katsunuma Budo-kyo onsens are recommended.
Reference : Yamakei Online — Kamihikawa Pass ｜ Tozanguchi Navi — Mt. Koganesawayama
Contact : Eiwa Kotsu ☎0553-44-1311 / Koshu City Tourism ☎0553-32-5091
3. Traverse course, Ushiokunogangaharasuriyama link, suggested plans
About Mt. Koganesawayama
At 2,014 m on the Koshu / Otsuki City border, Yamanashi. Selected as the 2nd-rank peak of Otsuki City’s Shurei Fugaku Twelve Views (paired with Mt. Ushiokunogangaharasuriyama), and one of the 100 Famous Yamanashi Mountains. The 2nd-rank pair has the highest elevation among the Twelve (both peaks 2,014 m), located on the ridge south of Mt. Daibosatsu. The summit offers a 360° panorama of Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps, the Yatsugatake range, and Mt. Daibosatsu, with especially fine Mt. Fuji views.
Trail overview (2 main courses)
- Kamihikawa Pass → Daibosatsu Pass → Mt. Koganesawayama → Mt. Ushiokunogangaharasuriyama → Suzuran Insect Museum traverse (standard, Intermediate, ~6 hr): Complete 2nd-rank peak conquest, popular and classic
- Kamihikawa Pass → Daibosatsu Pass → Mt. Koganesawayama out-and-back (Intermediate, ~5 hr): Mt. Koganesawayama standalone, for fit day-hikers
Mountain huts / hot springs (2026 information)
– Kaizan-so (Daibosatsu Pass, ☎0553-32-5466): Year-round, lodging / shop / water refill
– Fukuchan-so (below Daibosatsu Pass, ☎0553-32-1828): Year-round, lodging / shop
– Kamihikawa Pass parking: 400+ spaces, free
– Daibosatsu-no-Yu (Koshu City, bath ¥620): Post-descent drop-in
Climbing season / flora: May to November (Daibosatsu Forest Road closed in winter). May-June: mitsuba-tsutsuji, fresh greens; July-August: alpine plants. Late September to October: autumn colors / alpine grass autumn. Winter (Dec-April) is effectively unclimbable due to road closure.
Cautions
– Daibosatsu Forest Road closed mid-December to late April: Climbing-possible period May-Nov
– Suzuran Insect Museum bus weekend-only: Weekday traverse recommends Kamihikawa Pass out-and-back
– Water at huts only: Kaizan-so / Fukuchan-so; carry at least 1.5 L
– 2,000 m-class ridge: Sudden weather changes / hypothermia precautions; bring cold gear even in summer
– Transfer at Otsuki: JR Chuo Line Limited Express bypasses Kai-Yamato
Emergency contacts / inquiries
- Koshu City Tourism: ☎0553-32-5091 / Otsuki City (Tourism Association): ☎0554-22-2942
- Koshu Police Station (climbing notification / mountain rescue): ☎0553-32-0110
- Kaizan-so (Daibosatsu Pass): ☎0553-32-5466 / Fukuchan-so: ☎0553-32-1828
- Eiwa Kotsu (Bus): ☎0553-44-1311
Suggested plans (traverse course, day hike, recommended, standard)
- Day-hike traverse (recommended, Intermediate, complete 2nd-rank conquest): Shinjuku 6:14 → Otsuki Stn 7:50 → Kai-Yamato Stn 8:06 → Eiwa Kotsu Bus 8:10 → Kamihikawa Pass 9:00 → Daibosatsu Pass 10:00 → Mt. Koganesawayama 11:30 (Mt. Fuji panorama) → Mt. Ushiokunogangaharasuriyama 12:30 → Suzuran Insect Museum 15:00 → weekend bus → Kai-Yamato Stn → return
- Kamihikawa Pass out-and-back (weekday, Beginner): Kamihikawa Pass → Daibosatsu Pass → Mt. Koganesawayama round trip (~5 hr), standard for weekday traverse
Reference : Yamakei Online — Kamihikawa Pass ｜ Tozanguchi Navi — Mt. Koganesawayama
Photo by Oda230
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