Kirigamine (霧ヶ峰) is not a conventional summit but a broad shield-volcano plateau of rolling grassland above the Suwa basin in Nagano. Its highest point, Kurumayama (車山), reaches 1,925 m. The name means "Misty Ridge" — the plateau is frequently wrapped in cloud, and the mists rising from its marshes are part of the landscape's character. Walking here is open and gentle, on grassy moorland famous for its summer wildflowers, and the plateau holds some of Japan's largest fields of nikko-kisuge (orange day lily). The whole highland sits within the Yatsugatake-Chūshin-Kōgen Quasi-National Park.
Why Fukada Chose Kirigamine
Kyuya Fukada included Kirigamine among his hundred mountains. He opened his essay by distinguishing "mountains to climb and mountains to play in," and placed Kirigamine firmly among the latter — an open highland prized not for a summit but for its wide moorland and summer flowers. He described high-summer slopes covered with the tall white blooms of cow-parsnip (shishiudo) and the orange of nikko-kisuge, and noted how the Yashima marsh had slowly turned to bog over the centuries. For Fukada, the appeal was the rare pleasure of an open, walkable highland.
(Note: Fukada did not number his hundred mountains. The book's order runs roughly north-to-south by geography and is not a ranking.)
The Mountain
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,925 m (6,316 ft) — Kurumayama, the high point |
| Prefecture | Nagano |
| Character | Shield (aspite) volcanic plateau; open moorland and wetlands |
| Famous for | Nikko-kisuge fields; misty highland landscapes |
| Park | Yatsugatake-Chūshin-Kōgen Quasi-National Park |
| Book order | Roughly north-to-south in Fukada's book, not a ranking |
| Typical season | Late spring – October |
The plateau is built around the Kurumayama volcano. Nearby named highpoints on the open grassland include Chōchō Miyama (蝶々深山, 1,836 m) and Ōzasamine (大笹峰, 1,807 m). Three wetlands on the plateau — Yashimagahara (八島ヶ原), Odoriba/Ike-no-Kurumi (踊場/池のくるみ), and Kurumayama marsh (車山湿原) — are collectively designated a National Natural Monument. The Yashima peat is roughly 8 m deep and some 12,000 years old, marking the southern limit of Japan's high-moor wetlands.
The Routes
Kurumayama Plateau Walk
Grade: Easy
- Distance: Variable; short out-and-back to longer plateau loops
- Elevation gain: Minimal (plateau terrain)
- Time: 2–5 hours depending on route
- Character: Open moorland walking on gentle rolling hills. The high point (Kurumayama, 1,925 m) carries a weather radar dome and offers wide views over Suwa-ko, the Yatsugatake range, and the Central Alps. No technical terrain; suitable for all ages.
Kurumayama → Chōchō Miyama → Yashimagahara Loop
Grade: Easy
The classic plateau circuit. From Kurumayama the route crosses the Kurumayama marsh boardwalk, climbs to Chōchō Miyama (1,836 m), passes the quiet far point at Monomi-iwa (物見岩, ~1,792 m) with views over the Yashimagahara marsh, and descends to the Yashimagahara wetland (八島ヶ原湿原). Particularly beautiful in July when the nikko-kisuge is in bloom.
Getting There
By train and bus:
The plateau is reached from the Suwa side or the Chino side.
- The Kami-Suwa–Kirigamine/Yashima bus line runs only seasonally, roughly late June to late October (with reduced weekend/holiday service early and daily service in peak August). Off-season it does not operate — verify on the Alpico Kotsu timetable before relying on it.
- The Chino–Shirakaba-ko–Kurumayama-kōgen line runs daily, year-round.
From Tokyo:
JR Chuo Line limited express to Kami-Suwa or Chino (~2 hours from Shinjuku), then the appropriate seasonal or year-round bus.
By car:
From the Chuo Expressway Suwa IC, take National Route 20 and then Nagano Prefectural Road 194 (Kirigamine Higashi-mochiya line) / the Venus Line, about 17 km to the plateau.
Facilities
Kirigamine Nature Conservation Center (Visitor Center): The official facility on the plateau, with maps, trail information, and exhibits on the local nature.
Kurumayama-kōgen area: Parking, a lift, and café facilities serve the Kurumayama side and are accessible by car in summer.
Flora and Wildlife
Nikko-kisuge (orange day lily): The day-lily fields of Kirigamine are one of Japan's best-known summer wildflower displays, with slopes turning orange in July (peak roughly mid-to-late July). Note that bloom volume now varies year to year: the fields are protected by deer fencing because of heavy browse damage by sika deer.
Wetland bog plants: The marshes hold specialized bog flora, including sundew (mōsengoke) and cotton grass (watasuge).
Grassland birds: The open moorland is good for grassland species — stonechat (nobitaki), skylark (hibari), chestnut-eared bunting (hōaka), and Olive-backed pipit (binzui) are among those recorded.
Sika deer: Japanese sika deer (nihonjika) populations have grown on the plateau and are a documented cause of browse damage to the wetland and meadow flora; deer are often visible grazing at dawn and dusk.
Bears: Kirigamine is on Honshu, which is Asiatic black bear (tsukinowaguma) country — not the Hokkaido brown bear range. Encounters on this open, well-visited plateau are unlikely, but standard noise-making precautions are sensible on quieter wooded edges. Bear spray is not a standard requirement here as it is in Hokkaido.
Seasonal Guide
Late spring – June: Plateau accessible as snow clears. Early wildflowers begin. The seasonal Kami-Suwa bus typically starts around late June.
July: Peak season for nikko-kisuge. The day-lily display (mid-to-late July) is the year's highlight, though volume varies with deer pressure. Busy on weekends.
August: Wildflowers continue and misty mornings are characteristic. Peak bus service runs daily this month.
September – October: Autumn colour on the surrounding slopes; the moorland turns golden, with excellent clarity for views. The seasonal bus winds down by late October.
November – April: Snow and ski season. Cross-country and resort skiing on the plateau are popular; the seasonal Suwa-side bus does not run.
Practical Tips for Foreign Visitors
Not a typical Hyakumeizan "summit": Kirigamine is one of the most unusual mountains in Fukada's hundred — a plateau rather than a peak. Reaching the high point takes almost no effort. The reward is walking the broad moorland and wetlands, not bagging a summit.
Confirm the bus you need: Only the Chino–Kurumayama-kōgen line runs year-round; the Kami-Suwa line is seasonal. Check the current Alpico Kotsu timetable, especially outside July–August.
Nikko-kisuge timing: The display peaks mid-to-late July but shifts by a week or two each year, and overall bloom now depends partly on deer fencing and browse pressure. Check current bloom reports before planning a trip specifically for the flowers.
Suwa base, and a neighbour: The Suwa area (Kami-Suwa onsen, Suwa-ko) makes an easy base. Nearby Tateshina-yama, another of Fukada's hundred and a true peak climb, sits just to the east if you want to pair an easy plateau day with a summit day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kirigamine a day trip or an overnight hike?
It is an easy day trip. The high point, Kurumayama (1,925 m), takes almost no effort to reach, and plateau walks run roughly 2–5 hours depending on the route. The Suwa area (Kami-Suwa onsen, Suwa-ko) makes an easy base.
Can I get there without a car?
Yes. The Chino–Shirakaba-ko–Kurumayama-kōgen bus line runs daily, year-round, while the Kami-Suwa–Kirigamine/Yashima line runs only seasonally, roughly late June to late October. From Tokyo, take the JR Chuo Line limited express to Kami-Suwa or Chino (about 2 hours from Shinjuku), then the appropriate bus. Check the current Alpico Kotsu timetable, especially outside July–August.
When is the best time to visit, and when do the nikko-kisuge bloom?
July is the highlight, when the nikko-kisuge (orange day lily) fields peak around mid-to-late July. The timing shifts by a week or two each year, and overall bloom now depends partly on deer fencing and browse pressure, so check current bloom reports before planning a trip specifically for the flowers. August brings continuing wildflowers and characteristic misty mornings; September–October offers autumn colour and clear views.
Do I need bear spray here?
No. Kirigamine is on Honshu, which is Asiatic black bear (tsukinowaguma) country, not the Hokkaido brown bear range. Bear spray is not a standard requirement here as it is in Hokkaido. Encounters on this open, well-visited plateau are unlikely, but standard noise-making precautions are sensible on quieter wooded edges.
Is Kirigamine suitable for beginners and families?
Yes. It is a gentle moorland plateau rather than a peak climb, with no technical terrain and minimal elevation gain. The walking is open and gentle on grassy rolling hills, suitable for all ages.
This guide is part of the Japan's 100 Famous Mountains: Complete Hyakumeizan Guide series.
