[Northern Alps] Mt. Kitahotaka to Mt. Okuhotaka | 41km from Kamikochi, 3 days and 2 nights camping in autumn-colored Karasawa

My first time in the Hotaka mountain range was much closer and much more intense than I had imagined.

Three days connecting rocky ridges, with autumn-colored Karasawa as my base.
Three days connecting rocky ridges.

Even though I had my anxieties,
before I knew it, I found myself thinking, 'I want to come back again.'

Introduction

What I walked this time was a part of the Northern Alps, the Hotaka mountain range,
a route connecting Mt. Kitahotaka to Mt. Okuhotaka.

My base was Karasawa, known as a famous spot for autumn leaves.
I walked the core of the rocky ridge area while making a round trip over three days.

In this article,

・Characteristics of the Hotaka mountain range route
・Danger zones and points of caution
・Camping situation at the Karasawa base

are summarized.

I hope this will be helpful for those interested in rocky areas and ridge traversing.

Mountain Trip Overview

Mountain names: Mt. Kitahotaka, Mt. Karasawa, Mt. Okuhotaka
Mountain area: Northern Alps (Hotaka mountain range)
Date: October 13-15, 2022 (3 days)
Weather: Sunny

Course:
Day 1: Kamikochi → Myojin → Tokusawa → Yokoo → Karasawa (stay)
Day 2: Karasawa → Mt. Kitahotaka → Mt. Karasawa → Mt. Okuhotaka → Karasawa (stay)
Day 3: Karasawa → Panorama Course → Byobu-no-mimi/Atama → Kamikochi

Distance: 41.8km
Cumulative elevation gain: Approx. 3077m
Activity time: Approx. 24 hours

Physical difficulty: ★★★★★ (For those experienced with long distances + rocky ridges)

Comparison with standard CT: 23:56 against a standard of 23:20 (almost standard pace)

Overall course map

Start at Kamikochi and walk along the Azusa River to Karasawa.
On the second day, traverse from Mt. Kitahotaka to Mt. Karasawa and Mt. Okuhotaka, then return to Karasawa.
On the third day, descend to Kamikochi via the Panorama Course, taking a detour to Byobu-no-mimi and Atama.

Reason for choosing this mountain

I had hardly walked in the Northern Alps before,
and I had the impression that it was a 'distant place' somewhere.

Rocky areas seemed scary, and it seemed like there would be many people.
It is true that those negative images came to mind first.

However,
"Don't decide it's impossible before you try."

Thinking that, I decided to give it a try at least once.

As a result,
all those images were overwritten.

Course details and impressions

▶ Day 1: Kamikochi to Karasawa

The start is Kamikochi.

The route passing through Myojin, Tokusawa, and Yokoo is extremely well-maintained, making it a section where you can enjoy the "time spent walking" rather than just mountain climbing.

After passing Yokoo, it gradually starts to feel like a mountain trail, and as the view opens up, you are suddenly in the world of Hotaka.

Upon arriving at Karasawa,
you are greeted by the ridgeline of Hotaka spreading to the left and right and the autumn-colored cirque.

It was a view that made it immediately clear "why it is so popular."

▶ Click here for a record of the superb views I encountered in the Northern Alps

▶ Day 2: Mt. Kitahotaka to Mt. Okuhotaka

The core of this day was
the ridgeline from Mt. Kitahotaka to Mt. Karasawadake.

First, the climb to Kitahotaka. It is a relentless steep ascent, but this is still just a "warm-up."

The real challenge is what lies ahead.

Chain sections and ladders follow one after another,
and the route continues in a way that makes you wonder, "Where am I supposed to go?"

It is a section that requires judgment with every single step,
offering a different kind of tension than the Southern Alps.

As for Mt. Okuhotaka beyond that,
the climb itself is relatively simple, but
the descent (Seitengrat) is loose and requires caution.

However, what was even more impressive was

・The grand view centered on Mt. Yari
・The series of ridgelines I walked
・The scale of the rocky mountains

was.

If you like the scenery around Mt. Yari,
I also recommend these ridgeline records.

▶ [Northern Alps Superb View] Gendarme, Daikiret, Mt. Yari

▶ [Northern Alps Superb View] Panorama Ginza | A traverse while continuing to gaze at Yari-Hotaka

▶ Day 3: Panorama Course to Kamikochi

The descent is via the Panorama Course.

With many people climbing up on Saturday,
this choice was the right one.

Just by climbing back up a little,
it is a scenic route where you can overlook the entire view of Hotaka.

Near Byobu-no-atama,
you can see the entire ridgeline walked the previous day,
and it was a time to realize a "mountain trip connected by a line."

The second half is a long forest road walk.

Although I was tired,
it was a good descent where the scenery continued until the end.

Course conditions and points of caution

▶ Mt. Kitahotaka to Mt. Karasawa

・Grading: Most difficult class
・Chains and ladders are continuous
・Dangerous if the route is chosen incorrectly

→ Rock climbing experience required

▶ Mt. Okuhotaka to Seitengrat

・Steep slopes + scree fields
・Loose rocks present

→ Be careful of falls when descending

▶ Panorama Course

・Passable period is limited
・Footpaths are unclear in some places

▶ Karasawa Campsite

・No reservation required (2000 yen per night)
・Securing a spot is important during busy times
・It is recommended to secure a plywood board early

※Information as of October 2022
※Always check the latest traffic conditions

Related Articles

This route is one of the five Northern Alps courses that I actually walked and enjoyed.

From scenic ridge traverses to rocky ridge routes and mountain trips to the deepest parts of the Northern Alps, I introduce them based on my actual experience.

▶ 5 courses I enjoyed walking in the Northern Alps | Introducing scenic, rocky ridge, and deep mountain experiences

Reflections

I had some anxiety about the Northern Alps at first.

But once I actually walked them,
I was left with an even stronger feeling of wanting to come back.

The rocky ridgeline, the autumn foliage of Karasawa,
and the scenery that keeps connecting.

There are things you can only see by experiencing them.

It was that kind of three-day trip.

Conclusion

Focusing on the mountains of Shizuoka,
I walk the ridgelines every weekend.

Rather than flashy mountains,
I prefer quiet mountains, deep mountains, and hikes where I read the conditions.

▶ Magazine "One Mountain at a Time, Hiking Records"

If you like mountains,
I would be happy if you followed me.

See you next time with a record of another mountain.