
Akadake 2899m is an upper intermediate winter hike in the volcanic Yatsugatake mountains. The hike is usually walked as an overnight hike in winter but it’s possible to walk it as a day hike if you start early and are confident in snow. The views from the peak and ridgeline are very scenic and on a clear day you’ll be able to see Mt. Fuji, Central, Northern and Southern Alps.
In winter you will need 12point crampons and an ice axe. You will also need to be confident with crampons on steep descent and know how to self-arrest. This is not a beginner snow hike.
⏲︎ Time: 8:30h (Estimate 10h)
✎ Kanji: 赤岳
⚲ Location: Yamanashi
↔ Distance: 16km
✮ Difficulty: Intermediate
ᨒ Elevation Gain: 1500m
☀ Multiday or Dayhike
☉ Hiking Season: Year-Round
Access
Car
In winter most people park their car at the Yatsugatake Sanso Parking Lot (Minotoguchi). Parking is 800¥ payable at the hut. It is possible to drive all the way to the actual trailhead but your car will need 4wheel drive and chains. The road is in rough shape and has patches that are steep and covered in ice.
If you’re not familiar with the road it’s not recommended to drive all the day. Walking the forest road section adds about 40-60 min.
Public transportation
Take the train to Chino station and from there the bus to Minotoguchi (美濃戶口)
The bus in winter runs only on the weekend/public holidays. Cost is 1700¥ one way. From the busstop it's about 40-60min on the forest road to the actual trailhead.
Trail description
Walk along the forest road for about 40-60 min. There are a couple of short cuts through the forest. Once you pass Minoto lodge and the other huts (last bathrooms) the actual hike starts. There is a wooden sign board and you need to follow the southern trail (南沢). The northern trail leads to Akadake Kosen.
The first section through the forest takes about 2-3h depending on walking speed and amount of snow. The beginning usually doesn’t have that much snow and it gradually gets deeper and colder the higher you get. Up until the hut it’s possible to walk without crampons and just use poles for stability. Most people wear spikes for this section to avoid slipping.
Once you get to Gyojagoya the panorama opens up with beautiful views of Akadake. The toilets are open in winter and the camping is usually too. (You need to call and check)
Gyojagoya is a good spot to put on crampons and get your gear ready for steep terrain and strong wind. After the hut the trail gets steeper quickly and the snow is deep with not enough space to put on crampons without blocking the trail.
In winter the stairs are covered by snow but many of the chains are free to help you climb in the steeper sections. Towards the peak the trail gets more vertical and you will need to climb on partially covered rocks using your hands and axe while wearing crampons. There isn’t as much exposure so this hike is good practice for more advanced and technical winter mountaineering. Some people also wear a harness because you can use the chains to clip in. On nice weather weekends the trail tends to be quite busy.

Once you get to the peak expect strong winds and beautiful views.
Continue along the ridge, past Akadake Chojo Sanso (closed in winter). Descending down the other side once again there are chains to assist you. The descent is steep but no problem with crampon and axe.
After descending from the peak you will pass Tenbo Sanso on the saddle which is open in winter. The hut makes for a great lunch or warm up spot to escape the harsh wind. Delicious curry rice was 1.600¥ with hot tea.

Just after the hut turn left and descent back down to Gyojagoya. The trail is steep and chains might be covered by snow. It takes about 20-40min down depending on the conditions. We glissaded down most of it and were very quick.
Once you get back to the hut you can take off crampons and put away extra gear and walk the section back to the trailhead. If you have extra time you can also walk the route back passing Akadake Kosen and watch people climb the ice candy. (Onsen is sadly closed in winter).
Extra info:
Yatsugatake is notorious for bad weather and strong wind, keep an eye on the forecast. People die every winter because they get lost in snow storms.
Akadake in the off-season is snow mountaineering, make sure your skill and gear match the difficulty of this hike.
Many rescue policies exclude crampon and axe usage. Check the fine print of your insurance if they are covered.
You will need 12-point crampons, ice axe, helmet and goggles at a minimum.
Accomodation
The mountain range has many famous huts, in winter open are:
Gyojagoya: 13.000¥ incl 2 meals. Tent 2000¥ per person. Reservation only for hut. (Maybe open, you need to call and check)
Akadake Tenboso: 14.000¥ incl 2 meals (+500¥ heating fee). Reservation required, no tents.
Akadake Kosen: 13.000¥ incl 2 meals (+500¥ heating fee). Tent 2000¥ per person. Reservation only for hut.
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