Hijiri-dake (聖岳, 3,013 m) is the southernmost 3,000-metre peak of the Japanese Alps and one of the most remote of the Hyakumeizan. Its main summit, Mae-Hijiri-dake (前聖岳), is paired with Oku-Hijiri-dake (奥聖岳, 2,978.7 m) a short distance to the east, with Ko-Hijiri-dake (小聖岳, 2,662 m) on the approach ridge below. Reaching it means a long walk into the deep southern end of the Minami (Southern) Alps from any direction. The summit offers a documented 360-degree panorama, and the standard Nagano-side approach starts only after the road beyond Shibasawa-gate has been closed to vehicles since 2018.
Why Fukada Chose Hijiri-dake
Hijiri-dake is one of the hundred mountains selected by Kyuya Fukada in Nihon Hyakumeizan, where it is covered on pages 314–317. Fukada did not number or rank the peaks; the book is arranged roughly in geographic order from north to south, and Hijiri-dake sits among the southern Southern Alps summits. The name itself is most often explained topographically rather than religiously: it is linked to Hijiri-zawa (聖沢), the stream below, whose sharply bent, elbow-like course is thought to have produced the readings "hiji-oru" or "hezuri" that transformed into "Hijiri." The mountain also carries the alternate name Hijiri-ga-take (日知ヶ岳).
The Mountain
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 3,013 m (Mae-Hijiri-dake, main summit); Oku-Hijiri-dake 2,978.7 m |
| Position | Southernmost 3,000m peak of the Japanese Alps |
| Prefectures | Shizuoka / Nagano |
| Range | Minami (Southern) Alps, southern end |
| Book order | Roughly north-to-south in Fukada's book, not a ranking |
| Typical season | Late June – October (multi-day approach) |
The Routes
Standard Nagano-side Route: Benoki-jima → Seihei-goya → Hijiri-dake
Grade: Strenuous (multi-day)
This is the standard approach from the Nagano side. From the Benoki-jima (便ヶ島) trailhead, the route crosses the river at Nishizawa-watari (西沢渡) — a hand-operated cable gondola crossing, roughly 45 minutes in — and climbs to Azamibata (薊畑), reaching the Seihei-goya hut (聖平小屋, 2,260 m) in about 5 hours. From the hut, the way continues over Ko-Hijiri-dake (小聖岳, 2,662 m) to the summit in about 3 hours.
- Day 1: Benoki-jima → Nishizawa-watari → Azamibata → Seihei-goya hut (~5h)
- Day 2: Seihei-goya → Ko-Hijiri-dake → Hijiri-dake summit, then return
Traverse via the Akaishi Ridge
Grade: Strenuous (multi-day, advanced)
Hijiri-dake can also be reached as part of the longer Southern Alps traverse along the Akaishi ridge. This is a committing, multi-day option for experienced parties carrying full self-sufficient gear, and it adds substantial time over the direct ascent.
Getting There
Nagano side (standard): From Iida IC, follow R152 through the Tōyamagō area to Shibasawa-gate (芝沢ゲート, 715 m), which has free parking. The forest road beyond the gate has been closed to all vehicles since damage from Typhoon 24 in 2018, and there is no bus service. From the gate, hikers walk roughly 2 hours to the Benoki-jima trailhead before the climb proper begins. Allow extra time and plan the approach carefully.
Mountain Huts
Seihei-goya (聖平小屋, 2,260 m): Located on the headwaters of Seizawa, this is the key hut on the standard Nagano-side ascent. Confirm operating status and booking ahead of time.
Seiko-goya (聖光小屋, ~970 m): The trailhead-area hut at Benoki-jima on the Nagano side, near the start of the walk-in.
Flora and Wildlife
Asiatic black bears (ツキノワグマ): The Southern Alps lie in Honshu, where the bear is the Asiatic black bear. Bears are present in the approach forests, so carry a bell and follow normal bear-aware practice.
Rock ptarmigan (ライチョウ): The summit zone of haimatsu (creeping pine) and granite around Hijiri-dake is rock-ptarmigan habitat. The ptarmigan occurs in Japan only in the Northern, Central and Southern Alps and in Hokkaido, making it a notable bird of this high Southern Alps environment.
Alpine flowers: Flower fields near Oku-Hijiri and around Seihei include chinguruma and aonotsugazakura. The area is also noted for comparatively lower deer-browse damage than some other parts of the Southern Alps.
Summit panorama: The summit has a documented 360-degree view: the surrounding Southern Alps, the Central Alps and Mt. Ontake to the west, the Northern Alps to the northwest, and Mt. Fuji to the east beyond the Shirane-minami ridge.
Seasonal Guide
Late June – July: Snow can linger on the upper approaches early in the season; suited to experienced parties.
August: Main season; huts are busy. Book well in advance.
September: Often settled, clear conditions with quieter trails.
October: Late season; early snow is possible.
Practical Tips for Foreign Visitors
Plan the access carefully. Because the road past Shibasawa-gate is closed to vehicles and there is no bus, factor in the roughly 2-hour walk to the Benoki-jima trailhead on top of the climb. Confirm current road and trail status before you go, since storm damage in this area can change conditions.
Confirm huts and carry margin. Check that Seihei-goya is operating for your dates and reserve where required. This is a remote, multi-day objective, so carry emergency supplies and allow extra time in your itinerary.
Two summits. The high point is Mae-Hijiri-dake (3,013 m); nearby Oku-Hijiri-dake (2,978.7 m) is a short detour for those with time, with alpine flowers on its western side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hijiri-dake a day hike or an overnight climb?
It is a multi-day objective, not a day hike. On the standard Nagano-side route it is about 5 hours from the Benoki-jima trailhead to Seihei-goya hut, then roughly 3 hours from the hut over Ko-Hijiri-dake to the summit. Plan to stay overnight, typically at Seihei-goya.
Can I reach Hijiri-dake without a car?
Access is difficult without a car. The standard approach starts at Shibasawa-gate (715 m), which has free parking, but there is no bus service, and the forest road beyond the gate has been closed to all vehicles since Typhoon 24 in 2018. From the gate you walk roughly 2 hours to the Benoki-jima trailhead before the climb begins.
Do I need to book the mountain hut?
Yes, plan ahead. Seihei-goya (聖平小屋, 2,260 m) is the key hut on the standard Nagano-side ascent, and huts are busy in the August main season, so book well in advance. Confirm the hut's operating status for your dates and reserve where required.
When is the best time to climb Hijiri-dake?
Roughly late June to October. Snow can linger on the upper approaches early in the season, August is the busy main season, September is often settled with quieter trails, and early snow is possible in October.
Are there bears, and what should I do about them?
Yes. The Southern Alps lie in Honshu, where the bear is the Asiatic black bear (ツキノワグマ), and bears are present in the approach forests. Carry a bell and follow normal bear-aware practice.
This guide is part of the Japan's 100 Famous Mountains: Complete Hyakumeizan Guide series.
