[Yatsugatake] To Snowy Mt. Akadake on a Day for Reflecting on the Year | Yokodake to Akadake Winter Day Hike

Overview

December 28, 2025.
I started walking while it was still dark, in the clear air typical of the end of the year.

I headed from Mt. Yokodake to Mt. Akadake in the Yatsugatake Mountains.
It was a day-trip round trip using the Somazoe Ridge.

The distance is 13.8 km, with a cumulative elevation gain of about 1,500 m.
Looking only at the numbers, it seems compact, but
it is a dense route packed with the steep climbs and rocky ridges typical of winter in Yatsugatake.

While reflecting on the year,
it was a day where I chose a place where I could walk comfortably with my current self.

Hiking Data

• Date: Sunday, December 28, 2025

• Area: Yatsugatake (Mt. Yokodake, Mt. Akadake)

• Type: Day trip

• Activity time: 9 hours 04 minutes (1 hour 15 minutes break)

• Distance: 13.8 km

• Cumulative elevation: +1,480 m / -1,480 m

• Course difficulty: 35 (strenuous)

Overall Route Map

Yokodake to Akadake | Winter day-trip round trip using the Somazoe Ridge (13.8 km / cumulative elevation approx. 1,500 m)

On a day for reflecting on the year

Before I knew it, it had become the season to look back on this year.

It is not that anything special happened, but
it was a year of walking in the mountains, taking on challenges, and sharing time with others.
Looking back, I can honestly think, "I was happy."

In a book I read a little while ago, there was this phrase:
"Happiness is the feeling of being so absorbed in something that you forget yourself."

I think that is exactly what time spent walking in the mountains is.
Not thinking about unnecessary things, just moving forward one step at a time.
I wanted to savor that kind of time once more at the end of the year.

Starting from the Somazoe Ridge

The Yokodake trailhead parking lot is still quiet.

From the parking lot to the Somazoe Ridge.
Snow had fallen two days prior, so the trail was well-packed.
I started out walking in my boots with trekking poles.

Time spent climbing steadily through the forest zone.

The climb through the forest is monotonous, but
as I approach the observation point, the color of the sky begins to change.

Emerging from the forest, the view opens up

The view expands all at once from near the observation point.

This is the reward for this route.
Looking back, the ridgeline of Okuchichibu,
and straight ahead, Mt. Yokodake and Mt. Akadake stand majestically.

The presence of Mt. Akadake visible next door.

"It's definitely a perfect day for hiking today."
It was a quiet, calm sky that made me think just that.

To the ridgeline, crossing over Mt. Yokodake

The moment I reached the ridgeline, the Northern Alps ridgeline appeared with a bang.

Once on the ridgeline, scenery that hadn't been visible until then appeared all at once.
Mt. Ontake, Mt. Norikura, Mt. Yakedake, and the mountains of the Northern Alps.

Looking back at the Somazoe Ridge I had walked,
the words "I really climbed a long way" came out naturally.

Near Mt. Yokodake (Sansaho Peak).

The section from Mt. Yokodake to Mt. Akadake
is full of ladders, rocky areas, and precarious traverses.
The wind was calm that day, allowing me to focus and move forward one step at a time.

To Mt. Akadake

Mt. Akadake approaches at the end of the ridgeline.

Just as it looked from afar, the climb up Mt. Akadake is steep.
I switched to my ice axe for one final push.

The summit of Mt. Akadake.

Standing at the summit, I see
Mt. Kaikoma, Mt. Senjo, the Southern Alps, and the Central Alps.
And looking back, the ridgeline of Mt. Yoko that I walked along.

It may not be flashy, but
a dignified landscape typical of winter in Yatsugatake spread out before me.

Descent, and looking back

Looking back at Mt. Akadake.

For the descent, I returned the way I came, heading back to the Somazoe Ridge.
While eating a warm cup of ramen at the observation deck,
I deeply felt, 'Today was a good day too.'

A distance of 13.8 km and a cumulative elevation gain of 1,500 m.
Looking at the numbers alone, it might not seem difficult.
But the scenery and time packed into this day were very rich.

At the end of the year,
being able to walk the way I like on the mountain I love.
That alone was enough.

Thank you for another wonderful time today.

Notes for those walking this course for the first time

• Steep climbs continue from the latter half of the forest zone

• The ridgeline has ladders, rocky areas, and traverses; be careful during the snowy season

• When the wind picks up, the sensible temperature drops rapidly

• The parking lot has few spaces and tends to fill up even early in the morning

• No restrooms (please take care of this in advance)

Reference links

[Yatsugatake] Mt. Akadake in midwinter, the mountain that lies beyond the accumulation of experience

My first midwinter Mt. Akadake in 6 years.
It was a day spent walking while remembering the time I have accumulated in the snowy mountains.

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