Ainodake (間ノ岳, 3,190 m) is one of Japan's highest mountains, yet one of its least famous. After a 2014 GNSS re-survey raised its official height from 3,189 m to 3,190 m, it moved from fourth to a tie for third-highest in Japan — sharing that rank with Okuhotakadake (奥穂高岳) in the Northern Alps. The name 間ノ岳 means "the mountain in between," referring to its central position among the three Shirane peaks (白峰三山), between Kita-dake to the north and Nōtoridake to the south. Almost nobody climbs Ainodake on its own. It is the broad-shouldered middle summit of the classic Shirane-Sanzan traverse, reached after a long, exposed walk along the main ridge from Kita-dake.
Why Fukada Chose Ainodake
Ainodake is one of the hundred peaks in Kyuya Fukada's Nihon Hyakumeizan. The book is not a ranking — its peaks run roughly in geographic order from north to south, so there is no "number" attached to any individual mountain.
What the name itself tells you is the heart of why the peak matters. 間ノ岳 means the mountain "in between": it is the central summit of the Shirane-Sanzan (白峰三山, the Three White Peaks), sitting between Kita-dake to the north and Nōtoridake to the south. For a mountain this high to remain so little-known to the general public is part of its character — a giant overshadowed by the more famous Kita-dake on the same ridge.
The Mountain
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 3,190 m (10,466 ft) — tied for Japan's 3rd-highest, with Okuhotakadake |
| Prefectures | On the Yamanashi / Shizuoka border (Nagano also listed) |
| Range | Minami (Southern) Alps — Shirane-Sanzan |
| Hyakumeizan | One of Fukada's hundred peaks. Book order: roughly north-to-south, not a ranking |
| Elevation revision | 2014 GNSS re-survey raised it from 3,189 m to 3,190 m, bumping it from 4th to a tie for 3rd |
| Typical season | Late June – October (multi-day, hut-to-hut) |
The Routes
Shirane-Sanzan Traverse — Kita-dake to Ainodake (the standard approach)
Grade: Strenuous
The full classic line is the Shirane-Sanzan: Kita-dake (3,193 m) → Nakashirane-yama (中白根山, 3,055 m) → Ainodake (3,190 m) → Nōtori-goya → Nōtoridake (農鳥岳, 3,026 m), descending via Daimonzawa-goya toward Narada.
- Character: Almost everyone reaches Ainodake as a continuation of the Kita-dake climb. From the Kita-dake summit, the route drops to the col where Kita-dake Sansō sits, then follows the high ridge over Nakashirane-yama before the final rise to Ainodake's broad summit.
- Exposure: This is a sustained walk above 3,000 m on an open ridge. There is no shelter between huts and no hut at the Ainodake summit itself — weather and time management matter.
- Overnight: Most parties sleep at Kita-dake Sansō and tackle the Ainodake section the following day. Those continuing the full traverse stay again at Nōtori-goya before Nōtoridake.
Onward option — Ainodake toward Shiomidake
Grade: Expert (advanced parties only)
A long ridge runs south from the Ainodake area toward Shiomidake (塩見岳), a documented onward traverse for experienced, self-sufficient parties. This is a serious multi-day commitment well beyond a standard Ainodake outing.
Getting There
From Kofu (Yamanashi):
The Yamanashi Kotsu bus runs direct from Kofu Station to Hirogawara (広河原), calling at the Ashiyasu municipal parking area and the Yashajin-tōge trailhead on the way — no transfer needed. Travel time is roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. A user cooperation fee (利用者協力金) of 300 yen per person each way applies.
In 2026 the bus operates June 26 – November 3. Over the same dates, the Minami-Alps mycar (private vehicle) regulation is in force, so you cannot drive all the way to Hirogawara during this window — the bus is the access method.
From Hirogawara you climb Kita-dake first; the Ainodake ridge follows from there.
Mountain Huts
All huts on this route require advance reservation. There is no hut at or near the Ainodake summit — the summit is a long, exposed walk from the nearest shelter, which matters for trip planning.
| Hut | Location & notes |
|---|---|
| Kita-dake Kata-no-koya 北岳肩の小屋 |
~3,000 m, just below the Kita-dake summit (roughly 50 minutes from the top) |
| Kita-dake Sansō 北岳山荘 |
2,900 m, on the col between Kita-dake and Nakashirane-yama; capacity ~150. The standard overnight before the Ainodake push |
| Nōtori-goya 農鳥小屋 |
~2,800 m, on the ridge south of Ainodake; capacity ~120. Serves the Nōtoridake section of the traverse |
Flora and Wildlife
Asiatic black bears (ツキノワグマ): The bear species of Honshu and the Southern Alps is the Asiatic black bear. They are present on the lower approach trails. Carry a bear bell and follow standard precautions.
Japanese rock ptarmigan (ライチョウ): The Kita-dake / Ainodake ridge is documented core habitat for the rock ptarmigan, which lives on these high Southern Alps ridges. The open alpine terrain is prime habitat.
Alpine flora: The Shirane ridge is high, exposed, scree-and-cushion terrain above 3,000 m, with cushion and rock-loving alpine species rather than wetland plants. There is no marsh on this ridge.
Seasonal Guide
Late June – July: The season opens with deep snow lingering on the high traverse. Early-season parties should be experienced and equipped for snow.
August: Peak season. The Kita-dake to Ainodake ridge is among the most popular high-mountain routes in the Southern Alps; huts are busy.
September: Often the clearest air of the year, with good chances of ptarmigan sightings.
October: Late season. First snow can arrive by late October, and bus access ends in early November.
Practical Tips for Foreign Visitors
Plan it as a hut-to-hut trip, not a day climb. Ainodake is reached along an exposed ridge from Kita-dake, with no hut at the summit. The usual pattern is day one from Hirogawara up to Kita-dake and on to Kita-dake Sansō, day two over Nakashirane-yama to Ainodake.
Reserve huts in advance. Kita-dake Sansō, Kita-dake Kata-no-koya, and Nōtori-goya all require reservation and fill in peak season.
Mind the access window. In 2026 the Kofu–Hirogawara bus and the private-vehicle regulation both run June 26 – November 3. Outside that window there is no convenient public access, and private cars cannot reach Hirogawara during it.
Respect the altitude and exposure. Most of this route is above 3,000 m on an open ridge with no shelter between huts. Watch the weather, start early, and turn back if conditions deteriorate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you climb Ainodake in a day?
No. Ainodake is not a peak you summit and return from in a day. It is reached along an exposed ridge above 3,000 m from Kita-dake, with no hut at or near the summit. The usual pattern is a two-day trip: day one from Hirogawara up to Kita-dake and on to Kita-dake Sansō, day two over Nakashirane-yama to Ainodake.
How do you get to the trailhead without a car?
Take the Yamanashi Kotsu bus, which runs direct from Kofu Station to Hirogawara, calling at the Ashiyasu parking area and the Yashajin-tōge trailhead with no transfer. Travel time is roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, and a 300 yen user cooperation fee applies each way. In 2026 the bus runs June 26 – November 3, and the private-vehicle regulation is in force over the same dates, so you cannot drive all the way to Hirogawara during that window — the bus is the access method.
Do you need to reserve the mountain huts?
Yes. All huts on this route require advance reservation, and they fill in peak season. Most parties stay overnight at Kita-dake Sansō (2,900 m) before the Ainodake push; Kita-dake Kata-no-koya and Nōtori-goya also require reservation.
When is the best time to hike Ainodake?
August is peak season, when the Kita-dake to Ainodake ridge is among the most popular high-mountain routes in the Southern Alps, though huts are busy. September often brings the clearest air of the year. Late June into July still has deep snow lingering on the high traverse, so early-season parties should be experienced and equipped for snow; by late October first snow can arrive and bus access ends in early November.
Are there bears on Ainodake, and what should you do?
Yes. The bear of Honshu and the Southern Alps is the Asiatic black bear, present on the lower approach trails. Carry a bear bell and follow standard precautions.
This guide is part of the Japan's 100 Famous Mountains: Complete Hyakumeizan Guide series.
