Yatsugatake

八ヶ岳

The Yatsugatake Mountains [八ヶ岳] are a volcanic mountain range and are divided into the Northern and Southern Yatsugatake Mountains. The southern range includes Iodake [硫黄岳], Yokodake [横岳] and Akadake [赤岳]. This volcanic group is listed among the 100 famous mountains in Japan.

Iodake is a relatively easy-to-reach peak from Sakuradaira trailhead and goes along the ridgeline via Natsuzawa Pass, which separates North and South Yatsugatake. The return trip can be done as a day hike.

From Iodake-Sanso [硫黄岳山荘] to Yokodake is a 45-minute climb with a few chains and ladders. Thereafter, from Yokodake to Akadake is more technical. Care has to be taken as the rocks are a little slippery from the freeze-thaw conditions especially early in the morning.

ℹ️ Trail Details & Essentials

📝 Climbing plan and data

Day 1: Sakuradaira - Iodake - Iodake Sanso

Day 2: Iodake Sanso - Yokodake - Akadake - Iodake Sanso - Sakuradaira

⌚ Garmin Stats

⛰️ Peaks

🎒 Packing List (hut with 2 meals)

ℹ️ Trail Details & Essentials

🌐 Trail information: The Japan Alps

🗺️ Map: Yamap

🌦️ Weather check: Mountain forecast | Tenkura

🪪 Permits & Regulations: N.A.

🟢 Trailhead (Start Point): 桜平駐車場（上）

🔴 Trail End (Finish Point): 桜平駐車場（上）

🚌 Access: Free shuttle bus from Chino Station (East exit) with hut reservations from Iodake Sanso Group

📝 Climbing plan and data

Chino Station

Outside Chino Station

Pick-up point

Day 1: Sakuradaira - Iodake - Iodake Sanso

Date: 28 October 2023

Start: 11:07 / End: 13:30

Hut: Iodake Hut (13,000 yen with dinner & breakfast)

From Sakuradaira: Short walk from where we alighted from the van and head towards Natsuzawa Kosen where our bags were brought to.

A 20-minute walk from Sakuradaira. (Jacky-san, Yuki-san, and Chie-san)

Natsuzawa Kosen: Collected our bags here and toilet break.

10:54 I was feeling hungry as I had breakfast very early. Gyudon lunch (1,000 yen) before the climb for some energy.

11:07 Started the climb through very beautiful forest.

11:42 Arrived at Oren hut.

Continue straight on rocky forest path with meshed rocks occasionally.

12:05 Arrived Natsuzawa Hut. This is also the Natsuzawa Pass and you can see the crater peak of Iodake from here.

Turn right from Natsuzawa Pass heading towards the south. On the way up, you can see the Northern Yatsugatake.

Giant cairns nearing the Iodake peak

13:00 Arrived at Iodake summit. It started to sleet as forecasted.

Horse-shoe shaped crater

You can walk along the crater but keep within the lined-path. You won't know when the edge of the crater is going to give way.

Heavy clouds over the city.

Heading towards Iodake-Sanso following the giant cairns.

13:30 Reached Iodake-Sanso

Iodake-Sanso entrance area.

There's even WIFI.

My bed for the night. There are bedside lamps and charging points but power off at 8pm.

The lounge area with heating and lots of charging points.

17:30 Japanese dinner

Day 2: Iodake Sanso - Yokodake - Akadake - Iodake Sanso - Sakuradaira

Date: 29 October 2023

Start: 6:20 / End: 12:32

5:40 Japanese breakfast.

6:20 Sunrise seen a little later.

Remnants of yesterday's sleet/hail/snow?

A little difficult to see the "real trail" as it's covered in snow and I was one of the few earlier hikers. But I guess it doesn't matter, just figure out the easiest way for you, as long as you stay within the green ropes.

6:40 The view ahead.

Frosted pines

6:48 Heading towards Yokodake.

I didn't even notice there's a Brocken Spectre until I review the photos!

The first chain

Followed by the first ladder

7:11 Yokodake peak [横岳] 2829m

Mountain view from Yokodake

City view from Yokodake

7:25 The Sansya peak [三叉峰]

7:30 The clouds opened up, revealing Akadake ahead.

More chains and ladders towards Akadake.

8:06 A Jizo statue.

Akatake Tenboso [赤岳天望荘] at the base of Akadake

8:11 Arrived Akatake Tenboso [赤岳天望荘].

The climb up Akadake is a little steep.

On the way ascending Akadake and looking back North.

The frosted chains.

Hikers at Akadake peak.

8:40 Reached Akadake peak.

Akadake peak post

Eastern view from Akadake.

Western view from Akadake.

The western face of Akadake frosted.

Jizo statue with Akadake.

10:29 Heading back towards Iodake-Sanso and the trail is more obvious now.

10:45am Back at Iodake-Sanso. No more frosted tables and benches.

Sun rays penetrating the forest.

12:32 I descended to Natsuzawa Kosen and rewarded myself with coffee (600 yen) and matcha cheese cake (600 yen).

I met Jacky-san, Yuki-san, and Chie-san (in the photo above) on the first day as we were in the same van transport. They started their hike first while I was still waiting for my Gyudon lunch. I met them again at Natsuzawa Pass and they were taking a snack break. There, they said I'm fast.

I went ahead first from Natsuzawa Pass to Iodake peak and Iodake-Sanso. They arrived at the Sanso after I checked-in and settled myself. We sat together in the lounge area, and again they commented that I hiked very fast. There, I met Yasuko-san who can speak English, as she had worked in the U.S. for 2 years.

After a long chat about mountains (since about 2pm), we exchanged our Yamap and Instagram to stay connected. She started at Minoto trailhead and not planning to head to Akadake peak.

I also told the other 3 about my plan the next day that I would be heading to Akadake peak, whereas they would be heading to Yokodake peak only. Jacky-san said the route to Akadake peak is very long. I estimated that it would take me 4 hours to and fro while studying the map, but he doubted so. Also, I knew that from Iodake-Sanso back to Sakuradaira would be an easy one for me.

The next day, they were surprised to see me back at Natsuzawa Kosen when I arrived around 12:30pm. They were there around 11:50am, just a little earlier than me. All had the same comment. Hahaha... I just told them it's a relaxed walk down. I think my pace will naturally be a little faster on easy terrains. Moreover, I'm carrying only a day bag. Yuki-san said my bag is "compact". I just packed everything I needed in a mountain hut.

I thought it was a compliment and felt proud of myself. :)