Warusawa-dake (悪沢岳, 3,141 m) — also called Higashi-dake or Arakawa-Higashidake (東岳・荒川東岳) — is the highest of the three Arakawa peaks (荒川三山) in the Southern Alps and Japan's sixth-highest mountain. Despite its great elevation, it is overshadowed in name recognition by neighbours such as Akaishi-dake and the higher peaks of the range. The name "Warusawa" means "bad valley," and the mountain is reached only by a long, committing approach deep in the Southern Alps. On a clear day the exposed summit ridge opens onto the full spine of the range.
Why Fukada Chose Warusawa-dake
Warusawa-dake is one of the hundred mountains in Kyuya Fukada's Nihon Hyakumeizan. Fukada's central point about this peak was its name: he insisted on calling it Warusawa-dake (悪沢岳) rather than lumping it in under Arakawa-dake. He wrote that the mountain is too magnificent to be treated as a mere continuation of Arakawa-dake, and that it is among the finest peaks in the Southern Alps.
Fukada's book is not a ranking. The hundred mountains are presented in a roughly north-to-south geographic order, so no peak holds a numbered "rank."
The Mountain
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 3,141 m (10,305 ft) — Japan's 6th-highest mountain |
| Prefectures | Shizuoka / Nagano |
| Range | Minami (Southern Alps) |
| Also known as | Higashi-dake / Arakawa-Higashidake (東岳・荒川東岳) |
| Part of | Arakawa Sanzan (荒川三山): Mae-dake 3,068 m, Naka-dake 3,082 m, Higashi-dake/Warusawa-dake 3,141 m |
| Book order | Roughly north-to-south, not a ranking |
| Typical season | Late June – October (multi-day approach) |
Warusawa-dake is the highest of the Arakawa Sanzan, the trio of 3,000-metre peaks (Mae-dake, Naka-dake and Higashi-dake) that explains the overlapping Arakawa-dake and Warusawa-dake naming.
The Routes
Standard Route: Sawarajima → Senmai-goya → Warusawa-dake (multi-day)
Grade: Strenuous (multi-day)
The standard ascent starts at Sawarajima Lodge (~1,120 m) on the Shizuoka side. The trail climbs steeply through deep forest to Senmai-goya (千枚小屋, around 2,500–2,600 m), the main overnight point, before continuing along the high ridge over the Arakawa peaks to Warusawa-dake's exposed rocky summit.
Traverse to Akaishi-dake
Grade: Strenuous (multi-day traverse)
The classic Southern Alps circuit links the Arakawa Sanzan with Akaishi-dake. From Warusawa-dake the traverse continues over the ridge via Arakawa-goya toward Akaishi-dake, a full day of high-altitude walking that adds at least one extra day to the trip.
Getting There
Private cars cannot reach the Sawarajima trailhead. The Higashimata Forest Road, which runs from the Hatanagi Daiichi Dam (Numadaira) area up to Sawarajima, is a Shizuoka City road restricted to permitted vehicles.
Access is by the free Tokai Forest (特種東海フォレスト) shuttle bus from the Hatanagi Dam area. The shuttle is available only to guests staying at Sawarajima Lodge or at the company's mountain huts. Tent campers cannot use the shuttle and must walk roughly 20 km (about 5 hours) from Hatanagi Daiichi Dam.
In summer, a free temporary parking area (around 300 spaces) sits about 2 km before the dam. Plan transport and lodging together — without a hut or lodge booking there is no shuttle access.
Mountain Huts
Senmai-goya (千枚小屋, ~2,500–2,600 m): Staffed hut and the main overnight point on the Sawarajima ascent.
Arakawa-goya (荒川小屋): Staffed hut on the ridge, serving the traverse toward Akaishi-dake.
Nakadake Hinan-goya (中岳避難小屋, ~3,067 m): Emergency hut high on the Arakawa ridge.
Huts must be reserved well in advance, and a hut or lodge booking is also what enables shuttle-bus access to the trailhead.
Flora and Wildlife
Asiatic black bears (ツキノワグマ): Active in the forested approach. This is Honshu, so the bears are Asiatic black bears, not brown bears; carry a bear bell, make noise, and store food carefully. Bear spray is not generally required in the Southern Alps.
Japanese rock ptarmigan (ライチョウ): Present on the upper rocky terrain near the summit ridge.
Old-growth forest: The lower approach passes through dense Southern Alps forest before reaching the subalpine and alpine zones.
Seasonal Guide
Late June – July: Snow can linger on the upper approach; for experienced parties.
August: Main season; huts often at capacity.
September: Often the best conditions, with fewer hikers.
October: Late season; snow is possible and huts begin to close.
Practical Tips for Foreign Visitors
Plan transport and lodging as one: Because the shuttle bus only carries guests of Sawarajima Lodge or the operator's huts, your trailhead access depends on having a booking. Sort the hut or lodge reservation first.
Do not drive expecting a trailhead car park: The forest road is closed to private vehicles. Hikers who arrive by car planning to park at the trailhead will be turned back at the dam.
This is a committing multi-day route: Like the other deep Southern Alps peaks, Warusawa-dake demands full multi-day preparation, advance hut reservations, and emergency food reserves. The "bad valley" name reflects the seriousness of the approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you climb Warusawa-dake as a day hike?
No. Warusawa-dake is a multi-day Southern Alps climb, not a day trip. The standard ascent starts at Sawarajima Lodge (~1,120 m) and uses Senmai-goya (~2,500–2,600 m) as the main overnight point before the high ridge to the summit.
Can I reach the trailhead without a car, and can I drive there?
Private cars cannot reach the Sawarajima trailhead; the Higashimata Forest Road is restricted to permitted vehicles. Access is by the free Tokai Forest shuttle bus from the Hatanagi Dam area, but it carries only guests staying at Sawarajima Lodge or the operator's mountain huts. Hikers who drive expecting a trailhead car park are turned back at the dam.
Do I need to reserve a mountain hut?
Yes. Huts such as Senmai-goya and Arakawa-goya must be reserved well in advance. A hut or lodge booking is also what enables shuttle-bus access to the trailhead, so sort the reservation first.
When is the best time to climb, and when does the snow clear?
The season runs roughly from late June to October. Snow can linger on the upper approach in late June and July, August is the main season with huts often at capacity, and September often offers the best conditions with fewer hikers. In October snow is possible again and huts begin to close.
Are there bears, and what should I do about them?
Yes — Asiatic black bears are active in the forested approach. Because this is Honshu they are black bears, not brown bears; carry a bear bell, make noise, and store food carefully. Bear spray is not generally required in the Southern Alps.
This guide is part of the Japan's 100 Famous Mountains: Complete Hyakumeizan Guide series.
