Mount Kobushi to Karisaka Pass hike overview

  • Altitude: 2,475m
  • Altitude change: ~1,400m
  • Difficulty: Medium to hard
  • Season: Late spring to autumn | Winter for experienced climbers
  • Time: 2-day trip from Tokyo
  • Hiking map link: Yamap

I’m a fan of hiking in Japan all year round, but the cooler months have to be my favorite. One of the reasons for this is the incredible views over great distances afforded by the very clean and dry air. Along this Mt. Kobushi to Karisaka Pass hike are some of the best views of any route in Japan I’ve hiked so far. And bonus points for Mt. Kobushi numbering among Japan’s 100 famous mountains and Karisaka one of Japan’s 3 great passes.

Epic view | Photo by Chris Kirkland

More than just the views, this mountain is also known for it’s beautiful flowers from the rainy season to late summer. We did this hike at the end of November, after the autumn foliage had gone and when the first snow had already arrived: a spectacular sight. Hiking from December to March would only be recommended for experts who have experienced snow expeditions. Note that mountain huts aren’t staffed during the winter season (except for the New Year period of January 1–4).

It’s also worth noting that Nishizawa Gorge (where the trail starts) is a very popular koyo (or autumn leaves) spot in October, and is probably significantly busier that the rest of the year.

This route is a two-day trip, including train and a bus connection to and from Tokyo. With some serious stamina and your own transport you could do this hike or a shorter variation as a day trip from Tokyo. Our friend David from Ridgeline Images has a slightly more leisurely three-day route approaching Mt. Kobushi from a different side.

Suggested Activity
Experience Tea Ceremony in Kyoto
Dive into Japanese history with a traditional tea ceremony, together with a visit to Byōdōin Temple -- made famous on the 10-yen coin! Highlights Experience an authentic Japanese tea ceremony Visit a famous Buddhist temple Taste Kyoto's unique sweets Your guide will show you the historical sights of Uji, Kyoto's tea-growing district, pointing out old tea shops and other interesting ...

Getting there

mount kobushi
Limited express train tickets to Yamanashishi | Photo by Chris Kirkland

The hike is well served by public transport from Tokyo, with the Azusa or Kaiji limited express JR train running once an hour from Shinjuku to Yamanashishi or Enzan Station (you can use the JR Rail Pass for this route). There are three morning buses from Enzan (from April to November) and two from Yamanashishi (all year) taking you to the Nishizawa Gorge. The hike starts from the last stop of either bus line.

Check for the up-to-date timetable.

Mt. Kobushi and the Karisaka Pass
Bus stop at Yamanashi Station | Photo by Chris Kirkland

Hike itinerary

Day 1 – Mt. Kobushi

10 am start at Nishizawa Gorge to 3 pm arrival at Kobushi mountain hut

Mt. Kobushi and the Karisaka Pass
Mt Kobushi from Mt Tokusa | Photo by Chris Kirkland

From the last stop of the Nishizawa Gorge bus, continue north up the path and under the road bridge. After about 1 km, you’ll pass a rather well-constructed rest stop, with the Nishizawa Gorge path off to the left (which is another great hike), but don’t take that, keep going straight along the path.

Farther along are two paths. The first is the “Chikamaru” 近丸新道 path, just behind the Nishizawa Hut (西沢山荘), where the trail starts. But don’t take this path*! Instead, continue farther still until you reach the “Tokuchan” Path (徳ちゃん新道).
*It’s unsafe as multiple landslides have swept much of the path away leaving it in a very dangerous condition; we lost the trail and had to scramble up steep slopes hoping to find it again.

Mt. Kobushi and the Karisaka Pass
One of the many landslides along the Chikamaru path—avoid! | Photo by Chris Kirkland

The path rises up quickly through forest along a steep ridge, and after two and a half hours you’ll reach the knee of the ridge at 1869m where it merges with the Chikamaru path. From there as the trees and foliage change, you’ll take another two hours or so to hike the next 600m to the Mt. Tokusa (木賊山) summit. There’s a left/right junction, right leading to Mt. Hafu (破風山), but follow the left sign towards Mt. Kobushi and head down the ridge.

It’s 25-minute descent to the Kobushi mountain hut and if you prefer check in/leave your bags here before heading up to the summit of Mt. Kobushi.

Mt. Kobushi and the Karisaka Pass
Sign to Mt. Kobushi | Photo by Chris Kirkland

Kobushi Mountain Hut

We stayed the night at this wooden log hut. The staff are friendly, rugged mountain types, and we shared the dormitory with about 10 other guests. It’s fairly well-equipped as mountain huts go: a warm filling dinner and breakfast, fresh ground coffee available, good mobile reception (Docomo network) and even has a TV! But it was rather cold at night when we stayed at the end of November. You’ll need to call beforehand to book—if you don’t speak Japanese this could be a little tricky, although all they need to know is the date, how many people, meals/no meals and where you will start the hike from (Nishizawa Gorge).

Accommodation only: ¥5,100
Accommodation plus meals (breakfast, evening + bento): ¥9,100
Booking number: 090-3337-8947
Website: Official site
Open: Spring to end of November

Mt. Kobushi and the Karisaka Pass
Kobushi Mountain hut | Photo by Chris Kirkland

Day 2 – Karisaka Pass

7am Kobushi Hut – 2:30pm Mitomi
I strongly recommend getting up in time for sunrise atop Mt. Kobushi; if the air is clear and free of clouds you’ll be able to see an extraordinarily long way. We could see from Tokyo Bay and Mt. Fuji on one side, to mountains far into Nagano.

Dawn view from Mt Kobushi
Dawn view from Mt Kobushi | Photo by Chris Kirkland

When you’re ready to continue on the hike proper, as you leave Kobushi hut turn left you either: retrace yesterday’s steps and hike up again to Mt. Tokusa summit OR follow the faster direct path sign posted to Mt. Hafu.

The path drops steeply down a few hundred meters and back up again to Mt. Hafu. Continue along the ridge, heading to Karisakarei (雁坂嶺) and then to Karisaka Pass (雁坂峠)—enjoying views on either side. At Karisaka Pass, there’s a few benches and a most splendid view with which to take your lunch.

From Karisaka Pass it’s about a three-hour hike back down to the Mitomi “Michi no Eki” recreation area and bus stop. The afternoon buses, are at approximately 3pm and 4pm, so depending on your pace, you could spend a little longer walking further along the ridge. (If you’re really early and really ambitious, you may even have time to continue to Mt. Korei (古礼山) Gantoge (雁峠) and descend from there to the Shinchidaira (新地平) bus stop. That should take 5 hours, so you’ll want to leave from Karisaka Pass at 11am at the latest.)

Karisaka - one of Japan's 3 great passes
Karisaka – one of Japan’s 3 great passes | Photo by Chris Kirkland

The descent, steep at first, is quite pleasant, very open with the forest building up as you reach the mountain stream. Eventually you hit a rather neglected mountain round, which you follow the last hour or so. The path is sign posted to Lake Hirose (広瀬湖), but near the end take the forest path sign posted to “Michi no Eki” (道の駅), which leads back to the bus stop.

Mitomi – the end of the hike | Photo by Chris Kirkland

Photo gallery

  • start of kobushi hike
  • Baby Trees
  • One of the many landslides along the Chikamaru path - avoid!
  • Getting into the hike
  • About 2000m up Kobushi
  • Snow line starts above 2000m
  • Sign to Mt. Kobushi
  • fuji yamanashi panorama
  • Another Panorama
  • Mt Kobushi from Mt Tokusa
  • Yet another Panorama
  • Kobushi Mountain Hut
  • Dinner
  • Rustic
  • Well worth getting up for Sunrise atop Mt Kobushi
  • Kobushi Mountain hut
  • Snowy hike
  • Snowy view
  • Another view
  • Epic view
  • You can see may prefectures Gunma, Tochigi, Saitama, Tokyo, Yamanashi, Shizuoka
  • Karisakarei
  • Karisaka - one of Japan's 3 great passes
  • Mitomi - the end of the hike
  • Bus stop at Yamanashi Station
Written by:
Filed under: Travel

Get the best Japan Cheapo hacks direct to your inbox

Recommended hotels located nearby