Shirane Sanzan — 白根三山

Three peaks across
the Southern Alps

A 3-day traverse through Japan's Southern Alps, summiting Kita-dake and Aino-dake. Autumn colours, mountain huts, and alpine ridgelines.

Dates

13 Sep – 17 Sep

5 days, 3 on trail

Summit

3,193m

Kita-dake

Group

Max 7

5 + 2 leaders

Difficulty

Moderate–Hard

≤ 1,500m gain / day

Day by day

Tokyo to Hirogawara

Arrive in Tokyo by 9:30am. We rent a car and drive together through Yamanashi to the Hirogawara trailhead. Settle in at the mountain lodge and prepare for the days ahead. Stock up on onigiri and trail snacks at a konbini stop along the way.

Stay Hirogawara Sanzou

Meals Self-arranged

Hirogawara to Kitadake-kata-no-koya

The trail begins right at the lodge. A relentless but rewarding ascent through dense forest that gradually opens into alpine scrub. The tree line breaks around 2,600m and the views of the Southern Alps start to unfold. Grab breakfast and lunch from the konbini stash — dinner is served at the hut.

5.15 km +1,460m 6–7 hrs

Stay Kitadake-kata-no-koya

Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Kita-dake & Aino-dake to Daimonzawa

The crux of the traverse. Summit Kita-dake (3,193m) — Japan's second highest peak — then push along the exposed ridge to Aino-dake (3,190m). On a clear day, Fuji floats on the eastern horizon. A long, steep descent through loose rock and alpine meadows drops you into the valley at Daimonzawa-koya. The hardest day, but the most rewarding.

12.9 km +710m −1,980m 8–9 hrs

Stay Daimonzawa-koya

Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Daimonzawa to Narada Onsen

A gentle forest descent along a river valley. The canopy is thick with autumn colour — reds, oranges, and golds filtering the morning light. The trail ends at Narada Onsen, where you can soak tired legs in the hot spring before heading back to civilisation.

8.14 km +50m −730m 4–4.5 hrs

Stay Airbnb

Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Return to Tokyo

We drive back to Tokyo in the morning. Breakfast is covered before we leave. If your flight is in the evening, there's time to wander Shinjuku, hit an izakaya, or grab a bowl of ramen before heading to the airport. Book a late afternoon or night flight if leaving the same day.

Stay Dismiss!

Meals Self Arranged

Carry what you need.
Keep the rest light.

Mountain weather changes quickly. Pack for warmth and rain, and keep everything that must stay dry in a ziplock or waterproof liner.

Clothing rule Wear one set and pack one dry spare.