Mt. Chōkai (鳥海山)

Mt. Chōkai (鳥海山, 2,236 m) stands on the border between Yamagata and Akita prefectures in northern Honshū, ranking among the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan. This solitary peak facing the Sea of Japan is known as “Dewa Fuji” for its elegant conical shape. Its summit, Shinzan, is a lava dome formed by the 1801 eruption — the second-highest peak in the Tōhoku region. The mountain is also a paradise of alpine flora, hosting over 330 species including the endemic Chōkai-fusuma and Chōkai-azami.

The two principal trailheads are Hokodate Trailhead (Kisakata route) on the Akita side and Takinokoya Trailhead (Yunodai route) on the Yamagata side. From JR Kisakata Station or Sakata Station on the Uetsu Line, you can reach the trailheads using the seasonal climbing bus (Chōkai Blue Liner) or the on-demand shared taxi.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

How to access the trailhead

1. [Outbound] Kisakata Station → Hokodate (Chōkai Blue Liner)
2. [Outbound] Sakata Station → Takinokoya Trailhead (Chōkai shared taxi)
3. [Outbound] Kisakata / Yuza / Sakata Stations → Hokodate (Regular taxi)
4. [Return] Hokodate → Kisakata Station (Chōkai Blue Liner)
5. [Return] Takinokoya Trailhead → Sakata Station (Chōkai shared taxi)

Course Times (Kisakata route)

Hokodate → (1:20) → Sai-no-Kawara → (0:40) → Ohama Hut → (0:40) → Shimekake → (1:20) → Senjadani Valley → Omuro (Omonoimi Shrine) → (0:30) → Shinzan summit (2,236 m) → (0:20) → Omuro → (1:00) → Shimekake → (0:30) → Ohama Hut → (0:30) → Sai-no-Kawara → (1:00) → Hokodate

1. [Outbound] Kisakata Station → Hokodate (Chōkai Blue Liner)

From JR Kisakata Station on the Uetsu Line, board the seasonal climbing bus “Chōkai Blue Liner” operated by Kisakata Godo Kotsu and alight at Hokodate (the 5th station of Mt. Chōkai). The Yamagata-side terminus is Ōdaira Sansō (the official Yamagata-prefecture name; the operator’s timetable sometimes shows this stop as “Taihei Sansō”), which also serves as the Ōdaira trailhead. The bus also stops at Nemu-no-Oka (roadside station) and Naso no Shirataki Falls (sightseeing), but most hikers board at Kisakata Station and alight at Hokodate. The service is reservation-only: book by 17:00 the day before by phone (+81-184-74-3071).

Operating period: Saturdays, Sundays and holidays only, from June to the second week of October (varies by year — confirm the 2026 schedule with the operator)
Travel time: 35 minutes (Kisakata Station → Hokodate)
Round-trip fare: Kisakata Station (Nemu-no-Oka) – Ōdaira Sansō adult ¥3,000 | Naso Falls – Ōdaira Sansō adult ¥2,000 (ages 6–12 half price)

Reference: Kisakata Godo Kotsu “Chōkai Blue Liner”

Bus TimetableKisakata Station → Hokodate (Chōkai Blue Liner) — June

Reference: [Kisakata Godo Kotsu (official)]

2. [Outbound] Sakata Station → Takinokoya Trailhead (Chōkai shared taxi)

From JR Sakata Station on the Uetsu Line, take the “Chōkai-san Shared Taxi (Takinokoya line)” operated by Sakata Daiichi Taxi to Takinokoya Trailhead (Yunodai route). This is the shortest approach from the Yamagata side, allowing a same-day round trip to the summit. Reservation-only: book by 16:00 the day before by phone (+81-234-22-9444). Service runs from one passenger.

Operating period: Designated dates from mid-July to late August (varies by year — 2025 actual: 7/11–8/25, confirm the 2026 schedule with the operator)
Travel time: approx. 60 min (Sakata Station → Takinokoya)
Fare: one-way adult ¥5,000

Reference: Sakata Daiichi Taxi – Mt. Chōkai climbing info

Shared TaxiSakata Station → Takinokoya Trailhead

Departure times are flexible because of the reservation-only system; pre-arrange the departure time when booking. Early-morning departures around 5:00–6:00 are most common for full-day hikes.

Reference: [Yuza Chōkai Tourist Association – Chōkai shared taxi]

3. [Outbound] Kisakata / Yuza / Sakata Stations → Hokodate (Regular taxi)

On days when the Blue Liner does not operate (weekdays, May, mid–late October), the trailhead can still be reached by regular taxi. With 3–4 passengers sharing the fare, the cost per person is similar to the shared taxi.

Operating period: Year-round (except during the winter closure of the Chōkai Blue Line; typically late April – late October)
One-way fare (sedan): JR Fukura Stn ¥9,000 (approx. 30 min) | JR Yuza Stn ¥11,500 (approx. 40 min) | JR Sakata Stn ¥16,900 (approx. 60 min)

Reference: Sakata Daiichi Taxi (+81-234-22-9444)

4. [Return] Hokodate → Kisakata Station (Chōkai Blue Liner)

After descending, take the Chōkai Blue Liner from Hokodate back to Kisakata Station. The same reservation rule applies: book by 17:00 the day before.

Operating period: Saturdays, Sundays and holidays only, from June to the second week of October (varies by year — confirm the 2026 schedule with the operator)
Travel time: 35 minutes (Hokodate → Kisakata Station)
Round-trip fare: Same as outbound (round-trip ticket)

Bus TimetableHokodate → Kisakata Station (Chōkai Blue Liner) — June

Reference: [Kisakata Godo Kotsu (official)]

5. [Return] Takinokoya Trailhead → Sakata Station (Chōkai shared taxi)

From Takinokoya Trailhead, take the Chōkai-san shared taxi back to Sakata Station. Specify your pickup time at the time of booking.

Operating period: Designated dates from mid-July to late August (varies by year — 2025 actual: 7/11–8/25, confirm the 2026 schedule with the operator)
Travel time: approx. 60 min (Takinokoya → Sakata Station)
Fare: one-way adult ¥5,000

Reference: Sakata Daiichi Taxi (+81-234-22-9444)

Featured image: Kikucha / CC BY-SA 4.0