Mt. Norikura (乗鞍岳): An Accessible 3,000-Meter Peak Adventure

Mt. Norikura（乗鞍岳） is locared on the border between Nagano and Gifu Prefecturers. It’s a part of the majestic Chubu Sangaku National Park. The area is known for its dramatic alpine secenary, rich ecosystem and easy access to high elevation, making it a perfect destination for both experienced hikers and beginners looking for a mountain adventure.

Day 1 Timeline: Monday, July 28th

3:30 a.m. – Departed for Norikura Kogen Center in Nagano, which operates a shuttle bus service to Norikura Sancho Bus Terminal (Tatamidaira).

5:30 a.m. – Arrived at the Norikura Kogen Center parking lot. The drive was smooth, with little traffic, and there were plenty of parking spaces available.

7:00 a.m. – The first shuttle bus of the day departed. The ride to Tatamidaira, the trailhead, took about an hour. As the bus climbed higher into the mountains, the scenery gradually changed, with misty forests and mountain views welcoming us along the way.

8:00 a.m. – We began our hike with a walk through a field of wildflowers. Many different kinds were in full bloom, painting the landscape with vibrant colors. The scene reminded Sachi and me of Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand, bringing back fond memories of our time there.

During the hike, we conquered several peaks around Mt. Norikura, including Mt. Fujimi (2,817 meters), Mt. Daikoku (2,772 meters), and Mt. Mao.

We were especially lucky to encounter a family of Raicho (rock ptarmigan)—a rare and special moment in the Japanese Alps. Many photographers come hoping for a glimpse of these elusive birds, but sightings are rare and truly feel like a gift from nature.

12:30 p.m. – We arrived at Katano-Sanso (肩の小屋) mountain hut, where we checked in, had a quick lunch break, and took a short nap to rest up before heading to the summit of Kengamine, the true peak of Mt. Norikura at 3,015 meters.

1:10 p.m. – We reached the summit of Kengamine! Standing at the highest point of Mt. Norikura, we were rewarded with stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. It was a short but exhilarating climb from the hut.

This photo captures several of the main peaks in the Norikura mountain range.

Day 2 Timeline: Tuesday, July 29th

3:30 a.m. – We woke up early and set out toward the summit to watch the sunrise.

The sky was filled with countless stars, and the weather was perfect for sunrise viewing.

We were lucky to witness truly stunning moments—the first light breaking over the horizon, the sky slowly changing color, and the surrounding peaks glowing in the morning sun. It was an unforgettable experience.

7:00 a.m. – We had breakfast at the hut, then packed up and began our journey back down the mountain.

On the way home, we made a stop at Shirahone Onsen (白骨温泉)—a famous hot spring known for its milky-white water and healing properties.

Soaking in the warm spring water was incredibly relaxing and the perfect way to relieve our tired muscles after the hike. It was a peaceful and refreshing end to our mountain trip.

Afterward

A big thank you to Sachi for sharing this two-day adventure with me.

We had so many memorable moments—including laughing at an elderly man, probably around 80 years old, who piled an enormous amount of rice into his bowl, then went back for two more rounds! It was unbelievable, and we couldn’t stop laughing.