Okuhotaka: Dakesawa to Karasawa (Nagano)

Mount Okuhotaka and Karasawa Fall Colors

Okuhotaka 3190m is Japans 3rd highest peak and a difficult overnight hike from Kamikochi. The route described here passes by Maehodaka and is very strenuous. It also requires a helmet because of the loose rock and rockfall danger. Depending on your arrival time in Kamikochi, you might have to split it into 3 days and stay an extra night at Dakesawa. I would recomend doing this loop clockwise, that way your desecent is more gradual and less steep and you're using the majority of ladders and chains to go up.

		
⏲︎	Time: 14h45min
✎	Kanji: 奥穂高岳 
⚲ 	Location: Nagano
↔	Distance: 24.4km
✮	Difficulty: Difficult
ᨒ	Elevation Gain: 2083m
☀	Multiday: 2D/1N
☉	Hiking Season: Mid July to
	mid October

Access

Car

Kamikochi is only accessible by bus ot taxi, no private cars. If you are coming by car you need to part at Sawando Parking Lot (East) or Hirayu Akanda Parking Lot (West) and take the bus. Bus takes about 30min to get to Kamikochi bus terminal.

From Hirayu the fare is 2090¥ return.

From Sawando 2400¥ return.

Public Transportation

If you are coming from Tokyo, Nagoya or Osaka/Kyoto there are direct buses a couple of times a day (depending on the season). If not Matsumoto, Nagano and Takayama also have buses directly to Kamikochi.

Trail description

Days 1: 8:30h, 8.2km, 1924m elevation gain. (Yamap estimate: 9:45h)

Start at the Kamikochi bus terminal and make your way towards Kappabashi bridge. There, cross the river and keep walking along the river past the restaurant and shops. As this is a steep trail with lots of elevation gain, you need to start this hike as early as possible (first bus). Otherwise, split it into 3 days and stay an extra night at Dakezawa before you go up to Okuhotaka.

Once you get out of the forest, you have a small boulder field up to Dakezawa hut. After the hut, the trail gets a lot steeper and you have some climbing sections with chains and ladders. This is a good time to put on your helmet and gloves to protect from rockfall and accidents.

If you have extra time and it's still early in the day, make the little detour up to Maehotaka. The trail to Maehotaka is a rocky scramble and steep but the views from the top are worth it.

If it's getting late, go on to Okuhotaka and the hut (Remember, arriving after 3-4 pm at the hut is considered dangerous and rude in Japan)

From the bottom of Maehotaka to Okuhotaka, it's another 1:55h. And then 45min to Hotakasanso.

Day 2: 6:15h, 16.2km, 160m elevation gain. (Yamap estimate: 7h)

Today you are descending to Karasawa and Kamikochi. The first part of the trail is steep and exposed, but after Karasawa, it's much more gradual and relaxed.

First you'll pass Karasawagoya and then you'll get out to Yokoo-sanso and the more busy area of Kamikochi. From there, you're walking on flat river paths to Tokusawa campground and then continue to Konoshidaira campground.

If you're lucky you'll see the big group of monkeys here. You can also have a bath and lunch and the bath is usually open from 2 pm.

If you have extra time you could also stop at Myojin Pond or keep walking to Taisho pond and get on the bus at Taisho-ike.

Extra info:

This hike has dangerous sections and is exposed, make sure you have rescue insurance and your abilities match the skill level needed for this hike.
Don't attempt in bad weather or if there is any rain in the forecast.
Bring gloves for grip on the chains and a helmet for rockfall.