Mt. Iwasuge

Mt. Iwasuge (岩菅山) is a 2,295m peak in Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture, one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains and the 100 Famous Shinshu Mountains.
It is the highest peak of Shiga Kogen, and the ridge from the summit toward Uraiwasuge is an exhilarating path blessed with flowers and views. Climbing through Shiga Kogen’s tarns and birch forests, it is a popular intermediate-level course.
From Yudanaka Station on the Nagaden line, access Ichinose by Nagaden Bus.

The climb starts at the Hijiridaira trailhead. From the Ichinose bus stop to the Hijiridaira trailhead is about a 30-minute walk along the road (about 2km).
From the Hijiridaira trailhead, via the Nodo junction to the Iwasuge summit takes about 2 hours 30 minutes; a round trip takes roughly 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours (about 6 hours 30 minutes if you extend to Uraiwasuge).
*This is a ridge walk above 2,000m, so beware of sudden weather changes. From Nagano Station, take the Nagaden limited express to Yudanaka Station (green-season service: early April to early December).

*Timetable last checked: unverified

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Yudanaka Station → Ichinose
2. [Return] Ichinose → Yudanaka Station

1.[Outbound] Yudanaka Station → Ichinose

From Yudanaka Station (Nagaden), take the Nagaden Bus “Okushiga Kogen Line” (toward Okushiga Kogen) and get off at Ichinose.
Travel time: about 45–49 minutes
Fare: about ¥1,450
Service: daily (same on weekdays and weekends/holidays, green season early April – early December)

Bus TimetableYudanaka Station to Ichinose

Reference: [Nagaden Bus Okushiga Kogen Line]

2.[Return] Ichinose → Yudanaka Station

From Ichinose, take the Nagaden Bus “Okushiga Kogen Line” (toward Yudanaka Station) and get off at Yudanaka Station.
Travel time: about 42 minutes
Fare: about ¥1,450
Service: daily (same on weekdays and weekends/holidays)

Bus TimetableIchinose to Yudanaka Station

Reference: [Nagaden Bus Okushiga Kogen Line]

Photo by nagano8609 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0