{"id":16380,"date":"2025-12-25T13:44:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-25T04:44:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/corritrip.jp\/jpn\/blog\/?p=16380"},"modified":"2025-12-25T14:31:40","modified_gmt":"2025-12-25T05:31:40","slug":"komagane_kisokoma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/corritrip.jp\/jpn\/blog\/en\/komagane_kisokoma\/","title":{"rendered":"Safe for Mountain Climbing Beginners! Senjojiki Cirque & Mt. Kiso-Komagatake – The Ultimate 2 Days Enjoying Alps Hiking and Alcohol"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By utilizing the Komagane Sun-Sun Bus<\/strong><\/a>, you can also enjoy various alcoholic beverages made with Alpine water, including whiskey, Mars Wine, Minami-Shinshu Beer, craft gin, and sake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why This Course is Recommended for Mountain Climbing Beginners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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1. The<\/strong> Ropeway Takes You Up to 2,612m High in One Go<\/strong>

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This ropeway takes you to the highest point in Japan on Mt.Komagatake.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

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2. You can Stay at a Comfortable Hotel Instead of a Mountain Hut<\/strong>
Hotel Senjojiki<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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3. Various Alpine Alcoholic Beverages Can Be Enjoyed<\/strong><\/strong>
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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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[Day 1] From Shinjuku to Komagane – Enjoying Gourmet & Sightseeing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Morning Travel: Shinjuku Bus Station \u2192 Chuo Expressway Komagane Interchange<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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6:55 departure<\/strong> Shinjuku Bus Terminal – Take the highway bus to Iida, heading to Chuo Expressway Komagane Interchange bus stop<\/p>\n\n\n\n

En route<\/strong> 15-minute rest at Futaba Service Area. Purchased light meals and water for next day’s climb<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10:40 arrival<\/strong> Chuo Expressway Komagane Interchange bus stop (about 22 minutes late due to summer vacation traffic\uff09<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highway Bus Reservations \/ Details<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Highwaybus.com (for timetables\/reservations)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After arrival, walk 7 minutes to “Viande Sakura-tei.” I enjoyed an early lunch with Komagane’s specialty, “Sauce Katsu Don.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Efficient Sightseeing with Sun-Sun Bus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong> Board Sun-Sun Bus at Viande Sakura-tei (500 yen)
11:56<\/strong> Arrive at Mars Komagane Distillery<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Experience a factory tour and whisky tasting with advance reservation at Mars Komagane Distillery<\/a>. The whisky made with underground spring water from Mount Komagatake is exquisite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mars Komagane Distillery Details and Reservations<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

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12:56<\/strong> Re-board Sun-Sun Bus at Mars Komagane Distillery (500 yen)
13:06<\/strong> Arrive at Komagane Farms<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“*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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally to Senjojiki Cirque<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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13:15<\/strong> Take the local bus from Sugano-dai Bus Center to Komagane Ropeway Station<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13:45<\/strong> Arrive at Komagane Ropeway Station (Shirabi-daira Station)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14:00<\/strong> Ropeway departure<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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14:07<\/strong> Arrive at Senjojiki Station
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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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15:30<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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18:00<\/strong> Dinner while viewing Senjojiki Cirque at sunset
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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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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Local Bus & Ropeway Digital Ticket
\uff08Purchase Online<\/a>\uff09<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A digital ticket that includes the route bus (Komagane Station \/ Suzuran-dori \/ Nyotai Entrance \/ Suganodai Bus Center \u21d4 Shirabidaira<\/strong>) and the ropeway can be purchased on KKday<\/a>.

Buy it online and simply show or scan the QR code when boarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchase now – cancellation is free until just before departure!<\/strong>
You can also cancel right up until just before departure, free of charge!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Details & Purchase (KKday)<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u203b Please note: Internet access may not be available at places such as Shirabidaira Station and Senjojiki Station.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Book and purchase the highway bus on Highwaybus.com<\/a> and select the mobile ticket option. If you buy the route bus and ropeway tickets on KKday<\/a>, everything from reservation and payment to ticket issuance and boarding can be completed on your smartphone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[Day 2] Finally Climbing at Mt. Kiso-Komagatake!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Climbing Day Starting with Morning Inspiration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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4:30<\/strong> After waking up we saw a beautiful sea of clouds spreading outside the window during sunrise.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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5:45<\/strong> Start climbing after safety prayer at Shinshu Komagatake Shrine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beginning of Full-Scale Climbing: Hatchozaka<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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6:00<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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7:00<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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The Push to the Summit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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7:30<\/strong> Depart toward Mt. Kiso-Komagatake. First aim for Mt. Nakadake (elevation 2,925m) while viewing Mt. Hoken on the left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7:45<\/strong> Arrive at Mt. Nakadake summit. It was a wonderful view! With Mt. Hoken behind, Mt. Kiso-Komagatake laid ahead.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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8:20<\/strong> Reach Mt. Kiso-Komagatake summit (elevation 2,956m)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately it was covered by clouds, but the sense of achievement from accomplishing a 3,000m-class climb made it worth it.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Moving Encounter: Ptarmigan Discovery!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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9:00<\/strong> 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.
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10:00<\/strong> Return to Hotel Senjojiki<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After Descending: Hot Springs & Gourmet and Alcohol!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Sun-Sun Bus continues to be useful after climbing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11:50<\/strong> Bath at Sugano-dai “Komakusa-no-Yu.” Heal fromclimbing fatigue in open-air bath and jacuzzis.
13:04<\/strong> Board Sun-Sun Bus at Komakusa-no-Yu (500 yen)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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13:31<\/strong> Lunch & craft gin at “Kurasawa-no-Mori.” Enjoy a leisurely meal at stylish restaurant and taste local craft gin.
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*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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15:31<\/strong> Depart Kurasawa-no-Mori on Sun-Sun Bus (500 yen) heading to Viande Sakura-tei
15:45<\/strong> Arrive at Viande Sakura-tei, 6-minute walk to Chuo Expressway Komagane Interchange bus stop
16:30<\/strong> Board highway bus from Komagane Interchange to Shinjuku

19:45<\/strong> Arrive at Shinjuku Bus Terminal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highway Bus Timetables\/ Reservations (Highwaybus.com)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Using Sun-Sun Bus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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1. Can enjoy alcohol<\/strong> – Thanks to the bus, you can enjoy drinking in Komagane, a treasure trove of various alcoholic beverages <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Efficient Sightseeing<\/strong> – You can tour the Mars Komagane Distillery, hot springs, and restaurants without waste<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Cost performance<\/strong> – 500 yen per ride to access major tourist spots. 1-day pass is 1,500 yen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. <\/strong> Local connection<\/strong> – Can hear local information from drivers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5.<\/strong> Easy<\/strong> – Comfortable seated travel even with luggage<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Advice for Beginner Hikers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Advance Preparation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n