Mt. Haruna

Mt. Haruna (榛名山) is a 1,449m peak in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture — a double-walled volcano whose multiple peaks ring Lake Haruna.
Together with Mt. Akagi and Mt. Myogi, it is counted among the Three Mountains of Jomo and has long been an object of mountain worship.
Starting from the lakeshore, you can enjoy varied courses such as Haruna Fuji (with ropeway), Mt. Kamon-ga-take, and Mt. Soma.
From JR Takasaki Station, access Lake Haruna by local bus.

*Timetable last checked: May 30, 2026

1. [Outbound] Takasaki Station → Lake Haruna

From JR Takasaki Station West Exit Platform 2, take the Gunma Bus “bound for Lake Haruna” and get off at the terminus, Lake Haruna bus stop.

Operating period: year-round
Fare: ¥1,420
Travel time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Bus TimetableTakasaki Station to Lake Haruna

Reference: [Gunma Bus]

2. [Return] Yaseone-toge → Shibukawa Station

From the Yaseone-toge bus stop, take the Gunma Bus “bound for Ikaho Bus Terminal” and get off at Ikaho Bus Terminal.
At Ikaho Bus Terminal, transfer to the Kan-etsu Kotsu “bound for Shibukawa Station” bus.

Operating period: year-round

Fares:
Yaseone-toge ~ Ikaho Bus Terminal: ¥670
Ikaho Bus Terminal ~ Shibukawa Station: ¥750

Travel times:
Yaseone-toge to Ikaho Bus Terminal: 31 minutes
Ikaho Bus Terminal to Shibukawa Station: about 30 minutes

Bus TimetableYaseone-toge to Shibukawa Station

Reference: [Navitime]
Navitime

3. [Return] Lake Haruna → Takasaki Station

From the Lake Haruna bus stop, take the Gunma Bus “bound for Takasaki Station West Exit”.

Operating period: year-round
Fare: ¥1,420
Travel time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Bus TimetableLake Haruna to Takasaki Station

Reference: [Gunma Bus]

Harunasan Hiking Routes, Difficulty and Best Season

Harunasan is the collective name for the several peaks that ring Lake Haruna; its highest summit is Kamongatake (1,449 m). At the centre rises the lava dome of Mount Haruna-Fuji (1,391 m), which together with outer-rim peaks such as Somayama forms a classic caldera landscape. This section sums up the main routes, how demanding they are, and the best time to climb.

Main routes

• Kamongatake route (highest peak, from the lakeshore): a walk from the shore of Lake Haruna over Kamongatake and the surrounding rim peaks. About 13.6 km, roughly 1,205 m of cumulative ascent, a high point of 1,449 m and around 7 hours 40 minutes in total, so it takes a fair amount of stamina.
• Haruna-Fuji ropeway round trip (easy): take the ropeway from the base station by the lake to near the top, then reach the summit of Haruna-Fuji in just a few minutes — a good option for beginners.

Difficulty and stamina: the effort ranges from easy to moderate depending on which peak you climb. Haruna-Fuji is an easy ascent by ropeway, while the routes over Kamongatake and the rim peaks are long and require good stamina.

Best season: the mountain is enjoyable from the fresh green of spring through the autumn foliage, and in early summer day-lilies (yūsuge) bloom by the lake. In winter, come prepared for snow and ice.

Highlights: the volcanic scenery of Lake Haruna and its caldera, the views from the summit of Haruna-Fuji, and easy lakeside strolls or a quick ropeway ascent.

Photo by wikipedia