If you’re interested in climbing a 3,000 meter mountain doable even for beginners, we highly recommend hiking at Senjojiki Cirque Mt.Kiso-Komagatake.
By utilizing the Komagane Sun-Sun Bus, you can also enjoy various alcoholic beverages made with Alpine water, including whiskey, Mars Wine, Minami-Shinshu Beer, craft gin, and sake.
Why This Course is Recommended for Mountain Climbing Beginners
1. The Ropeway Takes You Up to 2,612m High in One Go
Using the Komagatake Ropeway, you can quickly reach Senjojiki Station (elevation 2,612m) from the base in just 7 minutes. In what would normally takes hours, you can get to in just 7 minutes with the ropeway.
From there, the round trip from Senjojiki Station to Mt. Kiso-Komagatake summit takes about 4 hours, approximately 3.5km distance, and about 490m elevation gain, making it optimal for beginners.
This ropeway takes you to the highest point in Japan on Mt.Komagatake.
2. You can Stay at a Comfortable Hotel Instead of a Mountain Hut
Hotel Senjojiki is a full-fledged hotel where you can experience the mountain hut atmosphere. Electricity is available all day, rooms are naturally private, there’s a large bath, flush toilets with warm water washing function, and a lovely lounge. Beginners can stay with peace of mind. Delicious dinner and breakfast are also included, so you don’t have to bring a lot up with you.
3. Various Alpine Alcoholic Beverages Can Be Enjoyed
Komagane is also a town of alcohol. Whiskey, Mars Wine, Minami-Shinshu Beer, craft gin, and sake are all made using Alpine underground water. With the “Sun-Sun Bus,” you can efficiently enjoy various alcoholic beverages and hot springs.
[Day 1] From Shinjuku to Komagane – Enjoying Gourmet & Sightseeing
Morning Travel: Shinjuku Bus Station → Chuo Expressway Komagane Interchange
6:55 departure Shinjuku Bus Terminal – Take the highway bus to Iida, heading to Chuo Expressway Komagane Interchange bus stop
En route 15-minute rest at Futaba Service Area. Purchased light meals and water for next day’s climb
10:40 arrival Chuo Expressway Komagane Interchange bus stop (about 22 minutes late due to summer vacation traffic）
Highwaybus.com (for timetables/reservations)
After arrival, walk 7 minutes to “Viande Sakura-tei.” I enjoyed an early lunch with Komagane’s specialty, “Sauce Katsu Don.”
Efficient Sightseeing with Sun-Sun Bus
For day one I focused on activities suited more towards adults around the mountain base. There were factory tours and whiskey tastings at Mars Komagane Distillery. As you cannot drive with even one sip of alcohol in Japan, this was where the Sun-Sun Bus really shined!
11:45 Board Sun-Sun Bus at Viande Sakura-tei (500 yen)
11:56 Arrive at Mars Komagane Distillery
Experience a factory tour and whisky tasting with advance reservation at Mars Komagane Distillery. The whisky made with underground spring water from Mount Komagatake is exquisite.
12:56 Re-board Sun-Sun Bus at Mars Komagane Distillery (500 yen)
13:06 Arrive at Komagane Farms
“*Sugano-dai Bus Center is located right next to Komagane Farms.
*It takes about 20 minutes on foot from Mars Komagane Distillery to Sugano-dai Bus Center.
Finally to Senjojiki Cirque
13:15 Take the local bus from Sugano-dai Bus Center to Komagane Ropeway Station
13:45 Arrive at Komagane Ropeway Station (Shirabi-daira Station)
14:00 Ropeway departure
14:07 Arrive at Senjojiki Station
The moment you get off the ropeway, the coolness and spectacular views of the mountains awaits you! The scenery of Senjojiki Cirque at elevation 2,612m is breathtaking.
After leaving our luggage at Hotel Senjojiki, we walked the 1-hour circuit course to get as acclimated to the altitude. Since we plan to hike more seriously tomorrow, today we just enjoyed the cute alpine plants and views during our short walk.
15:30 Hotel check-in
This hotel was simple yet clean and comfortable with a 10-tatami Japanese-style room. The room was nice with a view of the Southern Alps from window. We changed our breakfast to a packed meal for early departure the next day.
18:00 Dinner while viewing Senjojiki Cirque at sunset
There is a set menu & buffet style, which was surprisingly substantial dinner for a mountain hotel. The packed meal can be picked up at the dinner venue (Includes: 2 rice balls, Calorie Mate, salted yokan, cheese crackers, tea).
Local Bus & Ropeway Digital Ticket
（Purchase Online）
A digital ticket that includes the route bus (Komagane Station / Suzuran-dori / Nyotai Entrance / Suganodai Bus Center ⇔ Shirabidaira) and the ropeway can be purchased on KKday.
Buy it online and simply show or scan the QR code when boarding.
Purchase now – cancellation is free until just before departure!
You can also cancel right up until just before departure, free of charge!
※ Please note: Internet access may not be available at places such as Shirabidaira Station and Senjojiki Station.
Book and purchase the highway bus on Highwaybus.com and select the mobile ticket option. If you buy the route bus and ropeway tickets on KKday, everything from reservation and payment to ticket issuance and boarding can be completed on your smartphone.
[Day 2] Finally Climbing at Mt. Kiso-Komagatake!
Climbing Day Starting with Morning Inspiration
4:30 After waking up we saw a beautiful sea of clouds spreading outside the window during sunrise.
5:45 Start climbing after safety prayer at Shinshu Komagatake Shrine
Beginning of Full-Scale Climbing: Hatchozaka
6:00 We reached Hatchozaka junction. The full-scale mountain trail begins here. The steep slope “Hatchozaka” climbing the cirque is tough, but the view gets better step by step. Looking back, you can see spectacular views with Hotel Senjojiki below.
7:00 Arrive at Norikoshi Jodo. After climbing Senjojiki Cirque, the view suddenly opens up. The atmosphere of 3,000m-class high mountains is absolutely amazing! We took a breakfast break here.
The Push to the Summit
7:30 Depart toward Mt. Kiso-Komagatake. First aim for Mt. Nakadake (elevation 2,925m) while viewing Mt. Hoken on the left.
7:45 Arrive at Mt. Nakadake summit. It was a wonderful view! With Mt. Hoken behind, Mt. Kiso-Komagatake laid ahead.
8:20 Reach Mt. Kiso-Komagatake summit (elevation 2,956m)!
Unfortunately it was covered by clouds, but the sense of achievement from accomplishing a 3,000m-class climb made it worth it.
Moving Encounter: Ptarmigan Discovery!
9:00 A ptarmigan family was spotted near Mt. Nakadake, really raised everyone’s spirits! All nearby climbers watched the ptarmigans together. It made for a really special memory which is only possible in high mountain areas.
10:00 Return to Hotel Senjojiki
After Descending: Hot Springs & Gourmet and Alcohol!
The Sun-Sun Bus continues to be useful after climbing.
11:50 Bath at Sugano-dai “Komakusa-no-Yu.” Heal fromclimbing fatigue in open-air bath and jacuzzis.
13:04 Board Sun-Sun Bus at Komakusa-no-Yu (500 yen)
13:31 Lunch & craft gin at “Kurasawa-no-Mori.” Enjoy a leisurely meal at stylish restaurant and taste local craft gin.
*Kurasuwanomori does not have lockers or baggage storage. There are coin lockers at the entrance of the neighboring Yomeishu Factory tour. If you would like to store your luggage, please use it these.
15:31 Depart Kurasawa-no-Mori on Sun-Sun Bus (500 yen) heading to Viande Sakura-tei
15:45 Arrive at Viande Sakura-tei, 6-minute walk to Chuo Expressway Komagane Interchange bus stop
16:30 Board highway bus from Komagane Interchange to Shinjuku
19:45 Arrive at Shinjuku Bus Terminal
Highway Bus Timetables/ Reservations (Highwaybus.com)
Benefits of Using Sun-Sun Bus
1. Can enjoy alcohol – Thanks to the bus, you can enjoy drinking in Komagane, a treasure trove of various alcoholic beverages
2. Efficient Sightseeing – You can tour the Mars Komagane Distillery, hot springs, and restaurants without waste
3. Cost performance – 500 yen per ride to access major tourist spots. 1-day pass is 1,500 yen
4. Local connection – Can hear local information from drivers
5. Easy – Comfortable seated travel even with luggage
Advice for Beginner Hikers
Advance Preparation
- Change hotel breakfast to portable food (due to early morning departure)
- Exploring Senjojiki first for altitude acclimatization is essential
- Prepare equipment for changing weather conditions
- Be sure to submit a mountain climbing registration
Points for the Day
- Mountain trails are crowded on Saturdays in August (there is frequent waiting to pass each other)
- Recommend early descent as the ropeway gets crowded in the afternoon
- Follow the etiquette of giving priority to ascending hikers
Summary
This two day trip is ideal for beginner climbers who want to enjoy both authentic Alpine mountaineering (of over 3,000 meters) and also alcoholic beverages amongst the Central Alps.
The whisky and craft gin is nurtured by the pure water and air of the mountain, and you can enjoy it after taking in the spectacular views from the summit, making it a luxury that can only be experienced in Komagane. Thanks to the Komagane Sun-Sun Bus, you can enjoy alcohol without worrying about driving and also efficiently tour the sightseeing spots.
For those who are anxious about climbing high mountains or want to enjoy alochol after climbing, with thanks of the ropeway, Hotel Senjojiki, and the convenient Sun-Sun Bus, you should be able to take on the challenge without much trouble. The drink you savor after encountering ptarmigans, the spectacular sea of clouds, and the fulfilling summit experience will surely be enough to invigor a wonderful start to your mountaineering life.
Written by: Hidetomo Takahashi Chief Itinerary Manager / Domestic Travel Service Supervisor
Convenient Set Ticket
「Komagatake Senjojiki Cirque Ticket」
Includes:
１．Express bus round-trip ticket
２．Komagane Station ~ Shirabidaira Station local bus round-trip
３．Komagatake Ropeway round-trip
４．Hot spring and souvenir discount coupons
Adult: 12,500 yen
Child: 6,250 yen
■Purchase location Shinjuku Bus Station（departures from Shinjuku only）
Local Bus & Ropeway Digital Ticket
（Purchase Online）
A digital ticket that includes the route bus (Komagane Station / Suzuran-dori / Nyotai Entrance / Suganodai Bus Center ⇔ Shirabidaira) and the ropeway can be purchased on KKday.
Buy it online and simply show or scan the QR code when boarding.
Purchase now – cancellation is free until just before departure!
You can also cancel right up until just before departure, free of charge!
※ Please note: Internet access may not be available at places such as Shirabidaira Station and Senjojiki Station.
Book and purchase the highway bus on Highwaybus.com and select the mobile ticket option. If you buy the route bus and ropeway tickets on KKday, everything from reservation and payment to ticket issuance and boarding can be completed on your smartphone.
— PR —
Links Mentioned in the Article:
- Highway Bus Shinjuku-Komagane Highway Bus | Timetable, Seat Availability Check, Online Reservation
- Local Bus Komagane Station – Suzuran Street (Komagane Bus Terminal) – Nyotai Entrance (Komagane Inter Bus Stop/Viande Sakura-tei) – Sugano-dai Bus Center (Komagane Farm)
- Komagane Sun-Sun Bus: Official website (JP only)
*Operating period until December 1, 2025
*Operating days: Sunday, Monday, Friday, Saturday, and holidays - Komagatake Ropeway: Senjojiki Station at the summit is Japan’s highest elevation station.
- Hotel Senjojiki: Official website
*This hotel gets very crowded. Check room availability frequently. There are days when you can make reservations due to cancellations, etc. - Mars Komagane Distillery: Official Website
- Kurasawa-no-Mori: Official website
