2025 Minami-Alps Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

There are several climbing routes to Kita-dake, the second highest mountain in Japan. This is the view from the Kotaroyama junction, one of the junctions of the climbing routes. The ridgeline connecting the mountains around Kita-dake is also known as a paradise in the sky because of its beauty. From this Kotaroyama junction, you can see the ridgeline leading to Kita-dake, the surrounding mountains of Senjo-ga-take, Kaikoma-ga-take, the Ho-o Sanzan, and even Mt. Fuji. Of course, you can enjoy the view from the summit of Kita-dake, but this is the junction that leads up from the ridge to the ridgeline. The feeling when you reach the top was incredible. #DomesticTravel #YamanashiPrefecture #YamanashiTourism #MountainClimbing

At Hirogawara, the trailhead for climbing Mt. Kitadake, there is an information center for climbers and tourists. It is a two-story wooden building located close to where the bus from Kofu Station stops. On the first floor, there are toilets, maps, and a ticket counter for the bus. The second floor is a very spacious rest area. Events such as the mountain opening ceremony are held near this information center. Be sure to visit before climbing or sightseeing. #DomesticTravel #YamanashiPrefecture #YamanashiTourism #Hirogawara

Kitadake is the second highest mountain in Japan. Due to its altitude, many climbers plan to spend at least one night in the mountains. There are three well-known mountain huts in the Kitadake mountain range. Kata no hut is one of them. It is located midway along one of the routes from Hirokawara, the trailhead, to the summit, and is located almost directly below the summit. It has undergone recent construction, so the building still feels new. Even if you don't stay the night, many people use it as the final base on the way to the summit. They seem to serve delicious meals, especially at lunchtime. #DomesticTravel #MountainClimbing #Kitadake #KitadakeKataNoHut

Minami-Inaga Lake, located in the forest, is a lake located at an altitude of over 900m. The air is clear because of this. The emerald green lakeside and the gradation of red and orange autumn leaves were very beautiful. The graceful swimming swans and the carp swimming around them were also very beautiful and fascinating. When I went, the swans were swimming around the autumn leaves, but some people waited an hour to take the best photo. Be patient and enjoy the autumn leaves! ! Best time to see the autumn leaves: late October to mid-November 📍Address: 1760 Kamiichinose, Minami-Alps City, Yamanashi Prefecture, 400-0317 #0 yen travel autumn

#backpacking As a seasoned backpacker, hiking Mount Kitadake, Japan's second-highest peak, was truly transcendent. The demanding 6-hour climb through lush forests and rugged terrain yielded breathtaking 360-degree views. At 3,193 meters, the summit unveiled a stunning tapestry of mountains, valleys, and lakes. The tranquil atmosphere, gentle breezes, and silence recharged my spirit. For fellow travelers, I recommend starting early to beat the crowds, packing layers for unpredictable weather, and bringing sturdy gear for rugged terrain. Easily accessible from Hiroshima or Fukuoka, Mount Kitadake is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts and backpackers seeking adventure and serenity.

Visiting Nichirenshu Myoryo Temple and the cherry blossoms in spring was an unforgettable, magical experience. When I arrived at the temple, the fully bloomed trees greeted me with their own charm, adorned with beautiful pink cherry blossoms. The garden surrounding the temple was filled with life and color. And the blooming trees provided a wonderful atmosphere of beauty and peace. I enjoyed touring the temple, listening to the birds' calls, and watching visitors enjoy the beauty of the surrounding nature. This experience was truly special and left me with beautiful memories and happiness.

-YAMANASHI- I've always been interested in Lake Minami-Inaga. The swans and autumn leaves are just too beautiful🥹🍁🦢 Moreover, this swan seems to remember your face after you pass by a few times and pecks you with its beak saying "Give me some food"🤭 It's really friendly😍 Moreover, it has a great spirit of service. There are two points where people gather, and it goes back and forth between them. And when there are kids or dogs, it comes close to them and serves them🤭 Wow, I'm impressed, I'm going to become your apprentice. 📷Olympus Pen 🗓After 9AM in November 2023 𝕚𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -𖤣𖥧𖥣𖡡𖥧𖤣 📍#Lake Minami-Inaga ▼Business hours/Anytime 🌍 Lake Minami-Inaga, Kamiichinose, Minami-Alps City, Yamanashi Prefecture 🅿️60 cars - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -𖤣𖥧𖥣𖡡𖥧𖤣 #Yamanashi Tourism#Yamanashi #Yamanashi Trip #Swan#Autumn Leaves Spot#Breathtaking Views of Japan

Lake Minamiina Minami Alps City, Yamanashi Prefecture A great place to see the red leaves. Every year from late October to mid-November is the season for viewing the red leaves at Minami-Inaga Lake. There are white birds and koi in the lake. It is beautiful when the weather is good and the sun shines~

The Japanese Alps are home to many beautiful views that fascinate climbers. Among them is a ridgeline known as the Walkway in the Sky. It is a ridgeline that connects Kitadake, the second highest mountain in Japan, and Ainodake, the third highest mountain in Japan. This ridgeline, which is 3000m above sea level, drops significantly in altitude before passing through Kitadake Sanso and reaching Ainodake. The difference in elevation creates a beautiful view. Also, during the first half of the summer mountain season, this place turns into a paradise for beautiful alpine plants. It is quite difficult to get here, but that is why the view is so special. #DomesticTravel #MountainClimbing #YamanashiPrefecture #Kitadake #Ainodake

This is the last fork in the road before the summit of Kita-dake, Japan's second highest mountain. Ryomata hut is a hut in the valley between Senjo-ga-take and Kita-dake, and although access has become difficult due to a forest road collapse, it remains a popular hut for mountain climbing and stream fishing. Unfortunately, the route down to the stream beyond the fork seems to have fallen into disrepair. However, you can see the summit of Kita-dake from this fork. I was surprised to see that the rock mass I could see from around the shoulder hut was just before the summit. #DomesticTravel #YamanashiPrefecture #YamanashiTourism #MountainClimbing

The best part of staying overnight on a mountain climb is being able to enjoy the sunrise, which is quite difficult to do on a day trip. Especially on high mountains, even if it's cloudy or rainy below, you can still enjoy a beautiful sunrise depending on the height of the clouds. That was definitely the case on this mountain climb. If you want to enjoy the sunrise directly, the Kitadake Kata Hut is the better choice, but from here you can enjoy a beautiful view along with a variety of other elements, including Mt. Fuji, Mt. Ainodake, and alpine plants. We climbed hard to see this view. #DomesticTravel #YamanashiPrefecture #YamanashiTourism #MountainClimbing #KitadakeSanso

This is a picture of the route from Hirokawara, the trailhead of Kita-dake, the second highest mountain in Japan, to Shirane-Oike, the base for climbing Kita-dake. Summer mountain season has arrived, and Hirokawara is a season when many people enjoy mountain climbing. The route to Shirane-Oike is not particularly dangerous, but it is quite a steep climb. You start by crossing a suspension bridge and heading through the deep greenery. There are points along the way where you have to cross a stream, but there are mostly bridges and footholds, so it's not a problem. You can head to Shirane-Oike while enjoying the alpine plants and the occasional view of the Ho-o Sanzan mountains. Please note that from Shirane-Oike onwards, it is a full-scale alpine climb. It is possible to climb Shirane-Oike as a day trip depending on the start of the climb, but you will need to stay overnight to reach Kita-dake unless you are very fit and experienced. #DomesticTravel #YamanashiPrefecture #MountainClimbing

Kita-dake is the second highest mountain in Japan. Shirane Oike Hut is located halfway up the main hiking trail. It was rebuilt in 2006 from the previous hut, and even though it has been quite some time since it was rebuilt, the exterior and interior are very beautiful. It is not like a mountain hut in a good way, and is comparable to cottages on flat land. I was also surprised that the toilet has a water faucet. It is located right in the middle of the hiking trail, so many people stop by. You can also stay overnight, and make a plan to head to the summit of Kita-dake early the next morning. #DomesticTravel #YamanashiPrefecture #YamanashiTourism #Kita-dake #MountainHut

Shirane Oike Hut is located in the middle of the hiking trail from Hirokawara to the summit of Kitadake. There is a pond called Shirane Oike close to this hut, and a tent site where you can stay overnight is set up in the surrounding area (please note that you need to apply online to use this site). It seems that quite a lot of people pitch their tents here and climb Kitadake early the next morning with minimal equipment. The climb ahead is incredibly steep, so they want to lighten their load as much as possible. There is an abundant water source, so there is a drinking faucet outside the hut, so there is no need to worry about water. It is said that rain-making ceremonies were once held at Shirane Oike. #DomesticTravel #YamanashiPrefecture #YamanashiTourism #ShiraneOike #TentSite #Hiking

We came all the way to Kita-dake, the second highest mountain in Japan. It is about 600m lower than the first highest mountain, Mt. Fuji, but it is still one of the few 3,000m peaks in the country. In terms of difficulty, it is a long and steep climb that is more difficult than climbing Mt. Fuji from the Fujiyoshidaguchi trail, making it a fairly dangerous mountain for first-time climbers. However, it is less dangerous than Okuhotaka, Yari, and Tsurugi, so if you have the physical strength and climbing experience, this is a mountain that we would definitely recommend you try. Unfortunately, we were in the clouds at the top and couldn't enjoy the view, but the sense of accomplishment was incredible. #DomesticTravel #YamanashiPrefecture #YamanashiTourism #Kita-dake #MountainClimbing

Kita-dake is the second highest mountain in Japan. Due to its altitude, it is home to rare alpine plants that are rarely seen on the plains. Kita-dake in particular is home to precious endemic species that can only be found here. A prime example is the Kitadakesou plant, which only blooms for a short period of time, from mid-June to early July. There are similar flowers, but this plant is characterized by its round shape and bushy hairs growing on the grass. The view of these flowers blooming on the slopes is only available during this season. It was worth the effort. #DomesticTravel #YamanashiPrefecture #YamanashiTourism #Kita-dake #MountainClimbing

Hirogawara is the main trailhead for Kitadake. There used to be a mountain lodge called Hirogawara Sanso here, which many climbers used for their final preparations and overnight stays before climbing. This Hirogawara Sanso has been newly renovated and reopened near the visitor center. It was previously located across the river, but is now right in front of where the bus stops. It is a beautiful two-story building, with shops and restaurants on the first floor and accommodation on the second floor. Be sure to check it out before climbing Kitadake. #DomesticTravel #YamanashiPrefecture #Hirogawara #MountainClimbing

Mountain opening ceremonies, which herald the start of the summer mountain season, are held at major trailheads around the country. Here in Hirogawara, the Southern Alps Mountain Opening Festival marks the opening of the mountain to summer climbing. Prayers are offered for the safety of climbers and for the mountain to become a lively tourist destination, and flowers are laid at the stone monuments of those deeply involved in the opening of Mt. Kita and other mountains. This time, the day I climbed Mt. Kita happened to coincide with the mountain opening festival, so I was able to witness the solemn yet festive atmosphere of the festival. #DomesticTravel #YamanashiPrefecture #Hirogawara #MountainOpeningFestival

Kitadake, the second highest mountain in Japan, and Ainodake, the third highest mountain in Japan, are actually close to each other and connected by a ridgeline. The ridgeline between them is called the "walkway in the sky" because of its beauty and is very popular. Kitadake Sanso, located at an altitude of 2,900 meters, is located right at the saddle of this popular ridgeline. This mountain lodge was originally the Kitadake hut, which was built to accommodate the increasing number of Kitadake climbers, and it still serves as a base for many climbers. In fact, the exterior design was done by the late Kisho Kurokawa. It is a two-story building and has all the necessary facilities for a mountain hut. I personally recommend this mountain hut because the food is very delicious. It is very difficult to get here, but the sense of accomplishment and beautiful scenery make it worth it. However, it is a mountain with a fairly high level of difficulty, so be sure to prepare in advance and be careful when climbing. #DomesticTravel #MountainClimbing #YamanashiPrefecture #Kitadake #KitadakeSanso