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2-day hike on Mt. Kitahodaka East Ridge, Nagano

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Spend 2 days hiking in the sacred mountainside with Junichiro, JMGA-certified, leading the way to Mount Kitahodaka’s east ridge. Experience the Japanese alpine panoramas on this trip in the Nagano Prefecture.

Group

Japan Alps

2 Days

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Fit

Intermediate


Highlights

  • Discover the beautiful landscapes of the Kamicochi Valley.
  • Enjoy an unforgettable 2-day hike in the Hida Mountains.
  • Join a local guide on an exciting Japanese outdoor adventure.

Description

Hike along one of Japan’s most famous mountains, and breathe in the fresh alpine air surrounded by stunning 3,000-meter high peaks.

Mt. Kitahidaka is located in the Kamicochi valley in the Chūbu-Sangaku National Park of the Japan Alps. The beautiful rock faces of this stunning peak soar straight towards the sky, making it a stunning location to hike.

We will begin our tour from the Kamikochi Bus Terminal before heading to Yokoo. On the first day of our adventure, I will give you a short rock climbing and abseiling instruction, if you need it and then we will set off. In the evening, we will stay overnight in Karasawa, in the sacred Japanese highlands. Then, on the second day, we will leave Karasawa and hike towards Kitahosawa and the Kitahodaka Mountain Hut. From there, we will descend back to Kamikouchi and end our hike at approximately 4 pm. It will be a long hiking day of around ten hours, and in total, the elevation gain is 1500 meters.

Although this trek is open to everyone, it is important that you have a good fitness level. Furthermore, we will traverse through some rocky terrain as well on our trip, so you should be prepared for some fun rock climbing too! Of course, I will be there every step of the way to help and guide you. Also, keep in mind that if you feel the itinerary is too challenging, we can design a slower-paced 3-day itinerary, just ask me in advance so that we can plan accordingly.

So, are you ready for an exciting adventure in the Japan Alps? Then contact me now and let’s start planning an unforgettable trip together!

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Transport during the trip

- Rope

- Harness

- Helmet

- Belay and rappel devices

- Quickdraws

- Trekking poles

Price details

Accommodation, transportation, guide expenses, etc. will be charged separately.


Details

Accommodation

Mountain Hut

Meeting point

Meet at 8am at Kamikochi Bus Terminal, Nagano Prefecture

About the guide

I had a crush on Mt. Hodaka when I first came to Karasawa Cirque by helicopter to work for Karasawagoya Mountain Hut.
I was struck by its amazing landscape from above.
Since then I have been working in the mountain range in a lot of different ways.
First, as a hut worker for 4 years, then as a member of the prefectural mountain rescue team for 6 years.
And last year I started my career as a professional mountain guide.

I'm deeply in love with not only the nature but also the people attracted to the mountains.

Why don't you join me to enjoy the unique beauty of the Japanese mountains which are not easily accessible to all!

I am a JMGA alpine guide, but I also hold the Nagano prefectural special interpreter licence for English, as well as am a qualified First Aid Basic Provider certified by the Japanese Society of Mountain Medicine.

Languages

Japanese | English

Certificates

JMGA

Residence

Japan


What people are saying about Junichiro Aoyama

Ching Kuo

5.00

February, 2022

Aoyama san is a great guide! He is very proficient and I feel very safe ice climbing with him. In a 2 day trip we went to different ice falls and learned a lot of technics related to ice climbing. Highly recommended his course if you would like to learn ice climbing/mountaineering.

Tatiya Srilavan

5.00

February, 2020

It's one of the best experiences! Jun is a great guide and was very patient and helpful with me all along. He taught me patiently step by step and encouraged me to go beyond my limit. Also he provided everything perfectly. I had best time learning from him and enjoyed both the lesson and the mountain.

Anonymous

5.00

January, 2020

Jun gave us a wonderful trip! He is very experienced and speaks perfect English. All the instructions are easy to understand. Although both of us are beginners, we still can enjoy the joy of ice climbing in Japan. I would definitely recommend Jun as a ice climbing and hiking tour guide :)!

Olivia Sisson

5.00

June, 2019

My hike with Junichiro was a highlight of my entire trip to Japan and one of my favorite back country experiences I have ever had. As a solo female traveler I was unsure of how I could safely explore the back country in Japan, this trip was perfect for me. Jun is an excellent guide and shared so much knowledge about the Japanese alps, flora, fauna and Japanese culture in general with me. He spent four years working in the Hodaka range so knows these mountains very well and has many great stories and fond memories from many years spent exploring this range. It was great to experience this region of the world with someone who cherishes it so much! This was the most technical and challenging climb I have completed but I felt safe and confident the entire time. I learned new skills with Jun's guidance and had an awesome time. I hope I can return to Japan very soon and go on another adventure with Junichiro!

Alina Jacobs

5.00

November, 2018

I had a wonderful trip to Mt Hoshianadake. Junichiro Aoyama is a very responsible, passionate and kind mountain guide who guides you with a lot of knowledge and joy! Junichiro is Japanese but speaks English fluently, this makes the communication very easy also for people that come from abroad! I enjoyed every moment of the trip and I am grateful for this beautiful experience in the stunning nature of Japan! I can fully recommand Junichiro Aoyama as guide for anyone and especially for foreigners!


 

 

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