Mt. Hotakadake refers to the Hotaka Mountain Range, a series of rocky peaks centered on Oku-Hotakadake (3,190m), including Karasawa-dake, Kita-Hotakadake, Mae-Hotakadake, Nishi-Hotakadake, and Myojin-dake. Oku-Hotakadake is the 3rd highest peak in Japan. In summer, alpine flora and dramatic rock ridges await; in autumn, the fall colors of Karasawa Cirque are spectacular. The range is one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains.
The gateway to the Hotaka area is Kamikochi. Due to private vehicle restrictions, access is by route bus from Shin-Shimashima Station or direct express buses (Sawayaka Shinshu-go) from major cities. Trail options range from day hikes to multi-day traverses and rock climbing. For first-timers, a staged itinerary via Kamikochi to Myojin, Tokusawa, Yokoo, and Karasawa is recommended.
The trailhead is Kamikochi. Buses run from Shin-Shimashima Station (Matsumoto Electric Railway). Highway buses from Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Osaka/Kyoto are also available (Sawayaka Shinshu-go). The same trailhead is also used for Karasawa, Yarigatake, and Chogadake.
Access to the Trailhead
Map
1. Going: Shin-Shimashima Sta. → Kamikochi
Take the Alpico Kotsu bus from Shin-Shimashima Station to Kamikochi Bus Terminal.
Operating period: mid-April – mid-November
Fare: 3,000 yen (one way) | Travel time: Approx. 1 hr 5 min
Bus Timetable: Shin-Shimashima Sta. → Kamikochi
| Shin-Shimashima Sta. | Kamikochi Bus Terminal |
|---|---|
| 6:00 | 7:05 |
| 7:10 | 8:15 |
| 8:00 | 9:05 |
| 8:40 | 9:45 |
| 9:30 | 10:35 |
| 10:05 | 11:10 |
| 10:50 | 11:55 |
| 11:30 | 12:35 |
| 12:10 | 13:15 |
| 12:50 | 13:55 |
| 13:30 | 14:35 |
| 14:10 | 15:15 |
| 14:50 | 15:55 |
| 15:30 | 16:35 |
Reference: Alpico Kotsu – Kamikochi Line
2. Going: Sawayaka Shinshu-go (Highway Bus → Kamikochi)
Bus Timetable: Shinjuku → Kamikochi (Sawayaka Shinshu-go)
| Shinjuku Busta | Kamikochi Bus Terminal |
|---|---|
| 7:15（昼行・3列） | 12:02 |
| 22:25（夜行・3列／4列） | 5:20 |
Bus Timetable: Shibuya → Kamikochi (Sawayaka Shinshu-go)
| Shibuya Mark City | Kamikochi Bus Terminal |
|---|---|
| 22:00（夜行・4列） | 5:20 |
Bus Timetable: Osaka / Kyoto → Kamikochi (Sawayaka Shinshu-go)
| Osaka (Hankyu Sanbangai) | Shin-Osaka | Kyoto Sta. Hachijo Exit | Kamikochi Bus Terminal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21:30 | 21:39 | 22:50 | 5:20 |
Reference: Sawayaka Shinshu-go
3. Return: Kamikochi → Shin-Shimashima Sta.
Take the Alpico Kotsu bus from Kamikochi Bus Terminal to Shin-Shimashima Station.
Bus Timetable: Kamikochi → Shin-Shimashima Sta.
| Kamikochi Bus Terminal | Shin-Shimashima Sta. |
|---|---|
| 7:50 | 8:55 |
| 9:30 | 10:35 |
| 10:40 | 11:45 |
| 11:25 | 12:30 |
| 12:05 | 13:10 |
| 12:40 | 13:45 |
| 13:20 | 14:25 |
| 14:05 | 15:10 |
| 14:40 | 15:45 |
| 15:15 | 16:20 |
| 16:00 | 17:05 |
| 16:40 | 17:45 |
| 17:15 | 18:20 |
| 17:55 | 19:00 |
Reference: Alpico Kotsu – Kamikochi Line
4. Return: Sawayaka Shinshu-go (Kamikochi → Shinjuku / Shibuya / Osaka-Kyoto)
Bus Timetable: Kamikochi → Shinjuku (Sawayaka Shinshu-go)
| Kamikochi Bus Terminal | Shinjuku Busta |
|---|---|
| 14:30（3列） | 19:17 |
| 15:50（3列） | 20:37 |
| 16:50（4列） | 21:37 |
Bus Timetable: Kamikochi → Shibuya (Sawayaka Shinshu-go)
| Kamikochi Bus Terminal | Shibuya Mark City |
|---|---|
| 16:20 | ─ |
Bus Timetable: Kamikochi → Osaka / Kyoto (Sawayaka Shinshu-go)
| Kamikochi Bus Terminal | Kyoto Sta. Hachijo Exit | Shin-Osaka | Osaka (Hankyu Sanbangai) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16:10 | 21:31 | 22:05 | 22:15 |
Reference: Sawayaka Shinshu-go
