Yarigatake, Japan's Second Highest Peak

Two weeks ago on Thursday night, I left for Matsumoto from Shinjuku by bus, where I was picked up and driven to Sawando Car Park. By the time we arrived, it was past midnight, so we pitched up our tent for a few hours of sleep on a piece of lawn in the car parking area.

We caught a taxi at about 5am to Kamikochi Bus Terminal, the start of the hiking trail, where we bought hiking insurance and fueled up before setting off at 05:50.

This first day was the toughest. We hiked for 10 hours, gained an elevation of 1400m, and travelled a distance of 22km. One of two companions and I had opted to camp it out, as well as to bring enough supplies for a four day trip. Our packs must have weighed at least 15kg each. My other companion had chosen to pay Y10,000 each night for full board, so he was floating around like a fairy with just water and snacks in his pack. Something which I will seriously consider doing if I have the opportunity to come back to the Kita Alps again, even if there is a Y9500 price difference compared to renting a patch of dirt for a tent. Especially if tackling Daikiretto, a ridge line that is considered to be one of the most difficult non-technical hiking routes in Japan.

We spent the night at Yarigatake Sansou, and the next morning, scaled the peak of Yarigatake (3180m), the second highest mountain in Japan,. There were chains and ladders for assistance so it wasn’t a particularly difficult climb. However, it is not for those with a fear of heights. The views from the top were amazing. There’s only so much distance you can cover in a day hike. With multiday trips, you can go deeper into the mountains, and see scenery that can’t be seen on day hikes. Absolutely gorgeous.

After that, we continued along the ridge line from Yarigatake to Sugoroku Gouya where we dumped our packs and did a circuit up to the peak of Sugorokudake (2860m).

The next day was a rainy day. A typhoon was coming. So we decided to end the hike a day early by descending down a different route which involved a lot of rock hopping. We arrived at the end of the route at Shin Hodaka Onsen before lunch, where we enjoyed a good soak in the hot spring.

Fortunately the bus company allowed me to change my ticket, so I was able to get home on Sunday. Although I was disappointed to cut the trip short, it was great to have Monday to recuperate and be safely at home during the typhoon rather than stranded in the middle of the mountains.