Hiking Courses

Hiking Courses

Hiking Course B
Omote Ginza

Hiking Courses MapHiking Courses Map
Day 1 Nakabusa Mt. Tsubakuro Trail Head ~ Enzansou Mountain Hut ~ Mt. Tsubakuro (roundtrip to summit) 5hr
Day 2 Enzansou Mountain Hut ~ Hutte Nishidake Mountain Hut 5hr 35min
Day 3 Hutte Nishidake Mountain Hut ~ Mt. Yarigatake (roundtrip to summit) ~ Yarigatake Mountain Hut 4hr 40min
Day 4 Yarigatake Mountain Hut ~ Yarisawa ~ Yokoo ~ Kamikochi 7hr 20min
Mt. Yarigatake (3180m) is the fifth highest peak in Japan and known as Japan's Matterhorn because of its pointed peak. This four day hike called the "Omote Ginza" is one of the most popular routes in the Northern Japan Alps.

Take the Kassen Ridge up to Enzansou Mountain Hut. From there, it’s a round-trip hike up to the summit of Mt. Tsubakuro. On the second day, pass Mt. Otensho and Mt. Nishidake and then head to Hutte Nishidake Mountain Hut where you’ll be staying the night. On day three, you’ll be tackling the famous Mt. Yarigatake. From Yarigatake Mountain Hut, the trail is a one-way route with a series of steep ladders to the summit. Be careful on your way down as the route is rocky and very steep. The fourth day consists of a long descent down to Yarisawa. After passing Yarisawa Lodge and Yokoo, it’s a nice easy hike into Kamikochi.

The “Omote Ginza”

Advice

Begin your ascent early as the trails can get congested with other hikers making their way up to the summit. Falling rocks are also very common along the ridge. If you cause any rocks to fall, be sure to alert other hikers by shouting "Rock!"
View Map
Expansive views of Yarisawa from near Mizumata-Nokkoshi.

Expansive views of Yarisawa from near Mizumata-Nokkoshi.

The glowing sunrise of Mt. Tsubakuro.

The glowing sunrise of Mt. Tsubakuro.

Beautiful komakusa flowers bloom in the gravel.

Beautiful komakusa flowers bloom in the gravel.

Yarigatake Mountain Hut stands atop the shoulder of Mt. Yarigatake.

Yarigatake Mountain Hut stands atop the shoulder of Mt. Yarigatake.

A monument dedicated Kisaku Kobayashi of Azumino City who developed the Omote Ginza route.

A monument dedicated Kisaku Kobayashi of Azumino City who developed the Omote Ginza route.

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