| Comment: |
A nice three-day hike over the Yatsuga-take range. I did this in fall, so most huts were closed already. In the tent it was cold, but snowfall over the colored forests made up for that.
Here I met my only Kamoshika in the final descent. At night I got a bit scared, because big animals mada a big noise quite close to my tent - the next day I found out that it was belling deer! |
| How to get there: | From Kaioizumi train station on the JR Koumi Line, get on the other side of the tracks a little North of the station. Follow the road uphill. After leaving the village, cross the main road and keep climbing; to the left of the road you can find a path, if you do not want to walk on the road. |
Telegraphic Description: | From the parking lot follow the path uphill. As you climb, the forest gets sparser and soon you get good views towards the South. When you reach the ridge, turn right/North. After a descent you pass by a hut that also has some spots for tents and a well; I spent the first night here after a late start. Then the climb to Aka-dake (2899 m) starts. You might need to use your hands in a few spot, and be careful, when people above you trip off stones. Now descend in the direction of Amida-dake (West) and follow the path going down to Akadake-Kosen hut. A little further North you find the quieter Kiretto hut, where I spent the second night. From there, climb again towards Minenomatsume, turn west towards Iodake and follow the ridge back to the peak of Aka-dake. For the descent, take the track that goes East. In the first part, rusty chains help you over steep and slippery terrain. After reaching the ski pists, turn South and return to the start more or less in parallel to the road. |
| Sketchy Map and Approximate GPS: |
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| Links: | Hiking in Japan describes a different route.