How to go to Mount Aka 赤岳（八ヶ岳）
The typical direct route to access Mount Aka 赤岳（八ヶ岳） (note that this is not the same mountain as Mount Akadake 赤岳（大雪山） in Hokkaido 北海道) is to start from the Minotoguchi Bus Stop 美濃戸口. Take the Minotoguchi Line 美濃戸口線 from Chino Station 茅野駅 to get to the Minotoguchi Bus Stop 美濃戸口.
Hiking Trails to Mount Aka 赤岳（八ヶ岳）
There are 2 main trails we would recommend to hike up Mount Aka 赤岳（八ヶ岳）.
Both trails start from Minotoguchi Bus Stop 美濃戸口.
- Akadake (Minotoguchi-Kiyosato) Trail 赤岳（美濃戸口-清泉寮）コース
- Akadake (Minotoguchi-Nobeyama) Trail 赤岳（美濃戸口-清泉寮）コース
Akadake (Minotoguchi-Kiyosato) Trail 赤岳（美濃戸口-清泉寮）コース will take you through to Seisen-ryo 清泉寮 which is a farmhouse lodge. You can reward yourself an ice cream made from the local dairy products there or with a bath in the onsen there. Very appropriate refreshments after your laborious hike!
The Akadake (Minotoguchi-Nobeyama) Trail 赤岳（美濃戸口-清泉寮）コース would another interesting as it passes by the highest point in all JR track over Japan. The JR Railway Summit Point 鉄道最高地点 stands at 4,511 feet / 1,375m.
In addition, you will reach Nobeyama Station 野辺山駅 from where you will return home. Interestingly, Nobeyama Station 野辺山駅 is the highest train station in all of Japan. Surely that would welcome a visit!
The Minotoguchi Line 美濃戸口線 operates from Jul 27, 2024 (Sat) to Aug 25, 2024 (Sun)
Let's take a look at the summer schedule first.
| Chino Station 茅野駅 | Minotoguchi Bus Stop 美濃戸口 | |
|---|---|---|
| 9:20 | 9:58 | |
| 10:20 | 10:58 | |
| 13:45 | 14:23 | |
| 15:00 | 15:38 |
Source: ALPICO kotsu Co., ltd. (Last updated: 2024-06-01)
Depending on which trail you take, you will either reach Nobeyama Station 野辺山駅 or Kiyosato Station 清里駅.
From there, you can easily return home using the extensive network of JR trains.
Nobeyama Station 野辺山駅
Elevation: 4,415 feet / 1,345.67m
Kiyosato Station 清里駅