Mt. Tsubakuro Begins at Nakabusa Onsen hot spring. Round trip via Kassen-one Ridge | HIKES IN JAPAN
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Mt. Tsubakuro Begins at Nakabusa Onsen hot spring. Round trip via Kassen-one Ridge

A popular Northern Japanese Alps peak in 2 days.
  • Duration
    2Days / 7.5Hours
    Highest Point
    2763m
    Elevation Gain
    1210m
  • Skill Level
    Fitness Level
    Gear Level

Mt. Tsubakuro (Tsubakuro-dake) is in the eastern part of the Northern Japanese Alps. A number of trails service the mountain and it's also the starting point of the Omote Ginza trail. Here we'll showcase the Kassen-one Ridge Trail, which comes recommended for beginning hikers. The mountain's summit is a beautiful mix of creeping pine and granite outcrops, and the nearby Enzan-so mountain hut is extremely popular with hikers.

Get off the bus and you'll see the start of the trail in front of the Nakabusa Onsen (Hot spring). It begins with a steep hike through the forest. There are wooden benches that are great for a break every 30 to 40 minutes along the route. The steep ascent continues for approximately 3 hours until you reach Kassen-goya mountain hut which sells water, trail food, and fruit, as well as light meals.

From there the trail leaves the forest and hikes gently. After a while, it passes an area with chains installed to help you along. Once you finish with the chains and ascend another gentle slope, you'll reach the red-roofed hut, Enzan-so mountain hut.

In summer, alpine plants like dicentra peregrine (Komakusa) bleeding hearts come into bloom, and you may even spot a ptarmigan. From there it's an easy hike along a gravel trail with occasional stairs to the top of the mountain with its beautiful scenery of granite rock formations and creeping pines. The small summit area is marked by a simple stone indicator. From there return to Enzan-so where you spend the night. Follow the same route back down the mountain the next day.

Other Info

Kassen-goya offers watermelon, a local specialty, from July to September. From Enzan-so to the summit there are a number of interesting granite rock formations. Two of the more well-known ones are known literally as Iruka-iwa (Dolphin Rock) and Megane-iwa (Glasses Rock).

Nakabusa Onsen at the trailhead is a hot spring inn with several indoor baths that welcomes day guests.


High Season:July to September

Notes

Kassen-goya doesn't offer accommodation. Be sure to start hiking early enough so you don't arrive at Enzan-so after dark. Depending on your arrival time, hiking to the summit the next morning before descending the mountain is an option too.
Mt.Tsubakuro is located in Chubusangaku National park, the historic heart of the Japanese Alps. [ Special Contents ]

Route Map

Elevation Map

Height (m)
Horizontal Distance (km)

Spec

Duration
2Days / 7.5Hours
Highest Point
2763m
Elevation Gain
1210m
Horizontal Distance
9.6Km
Skill Level
Fitness Level
Gear Level

On the Trail

Sleeping

Kassen-goya, Enzan-so

Eating

Kassen-goya, Enzan-so

Hot-Springs

Nakabusa Onsen , Ariake-so (Japanese-style hotel)

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Access

From Tokyo Station, take the JR Chuo Line to Shinjuku Station (Approx. 15 minutes). From there, transfer to the limited express train on the JR Chuo Line and arrive at Matsumoto Station (Approx. two and a half hours). At Matsumoto Station, change to the JR Oito Line and get off at Hotaka Station (Approx. 30 minutes).
Then it's a roughly 50-minute bus ride from there to the Mt. Tsubakuro trailhead. Buses depart regularly.

Links

COURSES

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