Japan Photo Hike: Kiso-Komagatake, Chuo Middle Alps

An alpine daytrip from Senjojiki Cirque

At 2,956 meters, Kiso-Komagatake, “Horse Head Mountain,” is the highest peak in the Central Alps and can be a long climb from the trailhead in the Kiso Valley far below. Fortunately, for those of us who prefer to take photographs rather than haul gear in alpine highlands, there’s a ropeway to Senjojiki Cirque (2600 meters) — itself a worthy and photogenic destination — which turns the climb into a long daytrip or — better — enjoyable overnighter.

From the ropeway station/mountain lodge a short, steep scramble out of the cirque’s natural, boulder strewn amphitheater leads to a photogenic high alpine vista of alpine meadows, where depending on the season you’ll see snowfields, grasses, shrubs, wildflowers and, lower down, rice paddies in the distance. Middle Alps peaks and, on a very clear day, Mount Fujisan and the Sea of Japan to the west, and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The scenery is particularly stunning in October when the autumn foliage is at its peak.

On a more somber note, in October of 2014 when we made the trip, nearby Mount Ontakesan still smouldered after a surprise eruption in September claimed the lives of 63 climbers. Shrines dot the nearby summits as memorials to the climbers and tourists lost in the eruption and as reminders to others that, beautiful and accessible as Japan’s backcountry is, there is always a risk when in the wilds.

All photos ©Aaron Paulson. These pictures are available for use under limited license.*

*The low-resolution images on this page are downloadable and usable by you, dear viewer, under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. High-resolution images are available directly from me, Aaron Paulson. Please contact me for more information.