Kashima-yari-gatake (鹿島槍ヶ岳, 2,889 m) is a twin-summit peak on the Ushiro-Tateyama Range (後立山連峰), the eastern arm of Japan's Hida Range (飛騨山脈, the North Alps) that forms the Nagano–Toyama prefectural border. Its two tops — South Peak (本峰, 2,889 m, the highest) and North Peak (2,842 m) — are joined by a gently tilted hanging ridge, the tsuri-one (吊尾根), and the spear-like profile (yari = spear) is recognisable from the Ōmachi basin below. On the northeast face lies the Kakunesato (カクネ里) snow patch, confirmed in 2018 as Japan's fourth officially recognised active glacier.
Why Fukada Chose Kashima-yari-gatake
Kashima-yari-gatake is one of the mountains in Kyuya Fukada's Nihon Hyakumeizan. The book is ordered roughly north to south, not by rank — its sequence reflects geography, not a hierarchy. Kashima-yari sits between Goryu-dake and Tsurugi-dake.
What Fukada celebrated was the form of the mountain itself: the two peaks, North and South, rising side by side, and the gently tilted hanging ridge that links them. It is that refined, balanced shape — the twin spears joined by a single graceful line — that he found impossible to tire of.
The Mountain
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 2,889 m (9,478 ft) — South Peak (本峰), the highest point |
| Twin summits | South Peak 2,889 m and North Peak 2,842 m, joined by the tsuri-one hanging ridge |
| Range | Ushiro-Tateyama Range (後立山連峰), part of the Hida Range / North Alps |
| Prefectures | Nagano / Toyama (the main ridge is the prefectural border) |
| Hyakumeizan position | Included (book order is roughly north-to-south, not a ranking) |
| Notable feature | Kakunesato (カクネ里) snow patch — confirmed in 2018 as Japan's 4th recognised glacier |
| Typical season | July – early October |
The Routes
Ōgizawa via the Kashiwabara-shindō (2-day)
Grade: Strenuous (2 days recommended)
From the Ōgizawa trailhead (扇沢, ~1,400 m) the Kashiwabara-shindō climbs to Taneike-sanso, then follows the ridge over Jii-ga-take to Tsumeike-sanso, the staffed hut where most parties stay overnight before continuing to the summit. The upper ridge is open, rocky alpine terrain, and reaching both the South and North Peaks involves an out-and-back along the hanging ridge.
Ōtanihara via the Akaiwa-one (2-day)
Grade: Strenuous — steep (2 days)
From Ōtanihara (大谷原, ~1,090 m) the route climbs the Akaiwa-one ridge (赤岩尾根), described as one of the steepest climbs in the North Alps. Total course time to the South Peak is roughly 8 hours 10 minutes up and 5 hours 50 minutes down. The standard hut-based itinerary stages an overnight at Tsumeike-sanso rather than camping high on the ridge.
Goryu-dake → Kashima-yari Traverse (advanced, 2-day)
Grade: Advanced — serious exposure (2 days)
The route is reached from the Hakuba Goryu Telecabine via the Tōmi Ridge (遠見尾根), traversing south over Goryu-dake to Kashima-yari and crossing the kiretto in between.
Getting There
To Ōgizawa (扇沢): Take the JR Ōito Line to Shinano-Ōmachi, then a bus to Ōgizawa, the trailhead for the Kashiwabara-shindō route.
To Ōtanihara (大谷原): There is no public transport. Reach it by taxi from JR Shinano-Ōmachi, or by private car. A gate bars private vehicles part way in, leaving roughly an hour of road walking to the trailhead proper.
For the Goryu traverse: Approach from Hakuba via the Hakuba Goryu Telecabine and the Tōmi Ridge. See the Goryu-dake guide for lift access.
Mountain Huts
The huts on the standard approaches are reservation-based and operate roughly July 1 to early October. Confirm current dates and book before you travel.
- Taneike-sanso (種池山荘, 2,450 m): On the Kashiwabara-shindō ridge below Jii-ga-take.
- Tsumeike-sanso (冷池山荘, 2,410 m): Near Tsumeike on the approach ridge, well south of and below the twin summits — the usual overnight base. Reservations by phone (0261-22-1263); online or phone only. The tent site has a paid water point: about ¥2,000 per person per night, including 1 L of water and toilet use.
- Kiretto-goya (キレット小屋, 2,470 m): On the Hachimine Kiretto, for the Goryu traverse. It is rainwater-only — buy bottled water at the shop or carry enough in advance. Around ¥17,000 for one night with two meals, with a ¥3,000 surcharge for walk-ins.
Note: 冷乗越 (Tsumetanokkoshi) is a saddle between Nunobiki-yama and Jii-ga-take, not a hut.
Flora and Wildlife
Asiatic black bears (ツキノワグマ): Present in the forested lower approaches. Kashima-yari is in Honshu's North Alps, where the bear is the Asiatic black bear — there are no brown bears here. Standard precautions (a bell, awareness on quiet forest sections) are appropriate.
Japanese ptarmigan (ライチョウ): Present on the rocky high ridge. Ptarmigan inhabit the Northern, Central, and Southern Alps and Hokkaido, and the alpine zone of this range is among the places they may be seen.
Kakunesato (カクネ里): The U-shaped cirque terrain on the north side of the Tengu Ridge, below the North Peak, in the headwaters of the Ōkawasawa. The Kakunesato snow patch here was confirmed in 2018 as Japan's fourth officially recognised active glacier — a genuinely notable feature of the mountain's northeast flank.
Seasonal Guide
July: Season opens as the huts begin operating. Lingering snow is possible on the high ridge early in the month.
August: Generally the most settled conditions for the high ridge. Huts are busiest; reservations are essential.
September: Often excellent — fewer crowds and clearer air, with autumn colour starting on the lower slopes.
Early October: First snows are possible and the huts close around the start of the month. Check operating dates before planning a late trip.
Practical Tips for Foreign Visitors
Reservations are mandatory. Tsumeike-sanso and Taneike-sanso are fully reservation-based, with no walk-up guarantee. Book by phone in advance, and confirm the operating season, which runs roughly July to early October.
Plan water carefully on the traverse. Kiretto-goya is rainwater-only. If you cross the Hachimine Kiretto, buy or carry enough water before you reach it.
Ōtanihara has no transit. If you start from Ōtanihara, arrange a taxi from Shinano-Ōmachi and allow extra time for the road walk past the vehicle gate.
Match the route to your experience. The Ōgizawa and Ōtanihara approaches are strenuous but non-technical ridge climbs; the Goryu traverse over the Hachimine Kiretto is exposed, ladder-and-bridge terrain for confident, experienced alpine hikers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Kashima-yari-gatake be done as a day hike?
No. It is a serious two-day alpine climb, not a day hike. The standard hut-based itineraries from both Ōgizawa and Ōtanihara stage an overnight at Tsumeike-sanso before continuing to the summit.
Can I reach the trailheads without a car?
It depends on the trailhead. Ōgizawa is reachable by public transport: take the JR Ōito Line to Shinano-Ōmachi, then a bus to Ōgizawa. Ōtanihara has no public transport — reach it by taxi from Shinano-Ōmachi or by private car, and allow roughly an hour of road walking past a vehicle gate to reach the trailhead proper.
Do I need to book the mountain huts in advance?
Yes. Tsumeike-sanso and Taneike-sanso are fully reservation-based with no walk-up guarantee. Book by phone in advance (Tsumeike-sanso reservations: 0261-22-1263) and confirm the operating season, which runs roughly July 1 to early October.
When is the best season, and when does the snow clear?
The typical season is July to early October. Lingering snow is possible on the high ridge early in July. August generally offers the most settled conditions but is busiest, while September is often excellent with fewer crowds and clearer air. First snows are possible by early October, when the huts close.
What bears live here, and what precautions are needed?
The bears here are Asiatic black bears (ツキノワグマ), present in the forested lower approaches — there are no brown bears in Honshu's North Alps. Standard precautions such as a bell and awareness on quiet forest sections are appropriate.
Is the Goryu-dake traverse suitable for beginners?
No. The Ōgizawa and Ōtanihara approaches are strenuous but non-technical ridge climbs, whereas the Goryu traverse crosses the Hassō / Hachimine Kiretto — exposed, ladder-and-bridge terrain demanding a head for heights and sure footing, for confident, experienced alpine hikers only.
This guide is part of the Japan's 100 Famous Mountains: Complete Hyakumeizan Guide series.
