Kasagatake (笠ヶ岳, 2,897 m) is the highest peak in Gifu Prefecture, standing in the Hida Range of the North Alps within Chubu-Sangaku National Park. It sits slightly apart from the main Alps spine, which gives its summit an unusually wide panorama across to Yari-ga-take, Hotaka-dake, and the depth of the Alps interior. The mountain is best known for its standard ascent, the Kasa-shindo, a famously sustained climb that ranks among the steepest in the North Alps.
Why Fukada Chose Kasagatake
Kasagatake appears in Kyuya Fukada's Nihon Hyakumeizan. The book is ordered roughly north to south, not by rank or merit. Fukada was drawn to the mountain's distinct standing slightly apart from the main Alps cluster and to a summit view that reveals the interior of the range in a way peaks on the main ridge cannot.
The Mountain
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 2,897 m (2,897.48 m; highest peak in Gifu Prefecture) |
| Prefecture | Gifu (Takayama City) |
| Range | Hida Range (North Alps), Chubu-Sangaku National Park |
| Hyakumeizan order | Included (book order is roughly north-to-south, not a ranking) |
| Typical season | July – October |
The Routes
All routes to Kasagatake start on foot from the Shin-Hotaka onsen / bus terminal area at the valley floor (~1,090 m). The Shin-Hotaka Ropeway serves the Nishi-Hotaka ridge, not Kasagatake, and plays no part in any of these approaches.
Kasa-shindo (笠新道) — standard steep ascent
Grade: Strenuous
- Trailhead: Kasa-shindo trailhead (~1,370 m), reached on foot about 3.5 km (~1 hour) up the Gamada-gawa left-fork forest road from the Shin-Hotaka bus terminal
- Climb: roughly 1,500 m of gain over about 3 km from the trailhead to the ridge — average grade near 31%, frequently described as one of the steepest ascents in the North Alps
- Total one-way: roughly 11 km and ~1,800 m of gain from the Shin-Hotaka bus terminal to the summit
- Water: none between the trailhead and the summit ridge; fill up at the trailhead
Kuriya-dani (クリヤ谷) — from Yarimi Onsen
Grade: Strenuous
An ascent from the Yarimi Onsen side. This route is ungroomed and tends to be overgrown, which can make it harder to follow than the Kasa-shindo.
Koike-shindo / Kagamidaira traverse — gentler approach
Grade: Strenuous (longer, 2 days)
The longer but easier line follows the Koike-shindo to the Wasabidaira / Kagamidaira-sanso area, then climbs toward Yumiori-dake before following the ridge south to the summit, often by way of Sugoroku-goya. More distance, less relentless gradient — well suited to spreading the trip over two days.
Getting There
By bus (recommended): Nohi Bus runs the Shin-Hotaka line. Takayama–Hirayu–Shin-Hotaka services run roughly hourly, and highway buses (Nohi / Alpico) connect Matsumoto–Hirayu–Shin-Hotaka. Shin-Hotaka is the trailhead gateway for all Kasagatake routes.
From Matsumoto (Nagano) by car: Route 158 via the Abo Tunnel reaches Hirayu Onsen (about 60 minutes from Matsumoto IC), then a short leg north to Shin-Hotaka.
From Takayama (Gifu): Road and bus access via Hirayu Onsen to the Shin-Hotaka area.
Mountain Huts
Kasagatake Sanso (笠ヶ岳山荘): The hut near the summit, with capacity around 100, plus a designated tent site for roughly 25 tents. A no-meal (sudomari) stay runs around 9,500 yen. Booking ahead is wise in the busy July–August season.
Flora and Wildlife
Asiatic black bear (ツキノワグマ): This Hida-range terrain is Asiatic black bear country. Carry a bell, make noise on quiet or overgrown sections, and store food properly at the hut and tent site.
Japanese ptarmigan (ライチョウ): The North Alps is core ptarmigan habitat, and the creeping-pine (haimatsu) zone on the upper mountain is among their habitats. Quiet, early-morning hikers in cloud or mist have the best chance of a sighting.
Alpine flowers: The upper slopes carry alpine flora such as miyama-daikonso, shinano-kinbai, and hime-renge through the short summer bloom.
Seasonal Guide
July: Season opens. Snow is possible on the upper sections in early July.
August: Peak season; the hut and tent site are at their busiest.
September: Often the clearest conditions of the year, with the best long-range views to Yari and Hotaka.
Practical Tips for Foreign Visitors
Plan two days. With roughly 1,800 m of total gain and the very steep Kasa-shindo, Kasagatake is best done with an overnight at Kasagatake Sanso rather than rushed in a single day.
Don't take the ropeway by mistake. The Shin-Hotaka Ropeway top station leads to the Nishi-Hotaka ridge, a different mountain. For Kasagatake, stay at the valley floor and walk the forest road from the bus terminal to the Kasa-shindo trailhead.
Carry your water up. The Kasa-shindo has no water between the trailhead and the summit ridge. Fill up at the trailhead before the climb.
Use the bus. Nohi Bus from Takayama or Matsumoto via Hirayu to Shin-Hotaka removes the need for a car and drops you at the trailhead gateway. Hirayu Onsen makes a good base before or after the climb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kasagatake a day hike or an overnight trip?
Treat it as a 2-day trip. With roughly 1,800 m of total gain and the very steep Kasa-shindo, Kasagatake is best done with an overnight at Kasagatake Sanso rather than rushed in a single day.
Can I reach Kasagatake without a car?
Yes. Nohi Bus runs the Shin-Hotaka line, with Takayama–Hirayu–Shin-Hotaka services roughly hourly and highway buses connecting Matsumoto–Hirayu–Shin-Hotaka. Shin-Hotaka is the trailhead gateway for all routes, so the bus drops you where the walk begins. Hirayu Onsen makes a good base before or after the climb.
Does the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway go to Kasagatake?
No. The Shin-Hotaka Ropeway top station leads to the Nishi-Hotaka ridge, a different mountain. For Kasagatake, stay at the valley floor (~1,090 m) and walk the forest road from the bus terminal to the Kasa-shindo trailhead.
Do I need to book the mountain hut?
Booking ahead is wise in the busy July–August season. Kasagatake Sanso has capacity around 100 plus a designated tent site for roughly 25 tents, and a no-meal (sudomari) stay runs around 9,500 yen.
When is the best time to climb, and is there snow?
The typical season runs July to October. Snow is possible on the upper sections in early July; August is peak season when the hut and tent site are busiest; September often brings the clearest conditions of the year, with the best long-range views to Yari and Hotaka.
Are there bears, and how should I prepare?
Yes — this Hida-range terrain is Asiatic black bear (ツキノワグマ) country. Carry a bell, make noise on quiet or overgrown sections, and store food properly at the hut and tent site.
This guide is part of the Japan's 100 Famous Mountains: Complete Hyakumeizan Guide series.
