“When you feel like escaping from everyday life and going somewhere far away.”

If that thought ever crosses your mind, we highly recommend visiting Mt. Kisokoma, the highest peak of Japan’s Central Alps.

Rising to an impressive 2,956 meters, Mt. Kisokoma offers a truly alpine experience—yet it is surprisingly easy to reach. Thanks to the Komagatake Ropeway, visitors can access dramatic mountain scenery without advanced hiking skills.

From Hotel Kazenoyama in Iida City, the journey to the mountain area takes about one hour in total, combining a short drive, a bus ride, and the ropeway. This makes Mt. Kisokoma an ideal destination for a refreshing escape into nature, even on a short trip.
In this article, we introduce the highlights of Mt. Kisokoma and how to enjoy this extraordinary landscape.

A 7-Minute Journey to the Sky

One of Mt. Kisokoma’s greatest attractions is the Komagatake Ropeway, offering a breathtaking aerial journey.
From Shirabidaira Station (the base station of the ropeway), the cable car ascends nearly 950 meters in just 7 and a half minutes—the largest vertical difference of any ropeway in Japan.

As forests shrink below and rugged peaks come into view, the short ride feels like crossing from the everyday world into another realm.

The ropeway arrives at Senjojiki Station, the highest ropeway station in Japan. Here, visitors are welcomed by crisp mountain air and overwhelming alpine scenery.

Easy and Straightforward Access
Despite the high elevation, getting there is simple and well organized.

Access from Hotel Kazenoyama

• 30 minutes by car to Suganodai Bus Center
• 30 minutes by bus to Shirabidaira Station
• Ropeway ride to Senjojiki Station
  →Total travel time: approximately one hour

English information is available at major facilities, and staff are accustomed to assisting international visitors.
▶ For detailed ropeway access information, please click here.

What to Wear for Enjoying the Scenery

At an altitude of 2,612 meters, temperatures around Senjojiki Station can be 10–15°C lower than at the base, even in summer.

Clothing

• Layered clothing is recommended year-round
• Bring a light windbreaker or long-sleeved jacket
• In spring and autumn, fleece or a lightweight down jacket is ideal
• In winter, full winter gear similar to ski wear is essential

Footwear

• Avoid sandals or high heels
• Wear comfortable walking shoes or trekking shoes
• In winter, snow boots or waterproof hiking boots are required

Rain Gear & Accessories

• Weather can change quickly in the mountains
• Bring rainwear (jacket and pants or a poncho) rather than an umbrella
• Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen for strong UV rays
• Light gloves or a neck warmer in cooler seasons

Senjojiki Cirque: A Natural Sculpture Formed by Glaciers

Just steps from Senjojiki Station lies Senjojiki Cirque, one of Mt. Kisokoma’s most iconic landscapes.

A cirque is a large, bowl-shaped landform carved by glaciers around 20,000 years ago. Senjojiki Cirque is so vast that its name comes from being large enough to lay out one thousand tatami mats.

The scenery transforms beautifully with the seasons:

• Spring: Snow contrasts with emerging greenery
• Summer: Deep blue skies and vibrant alpine plants (best season for photography)
• Autumn: Mountains glowing with brilliant fall colors
• Winter: A silent, pure white alpine world
  

Even visitors who do not hike can fully enjoy the scenery by simply walking near the station.

Choose Your Experience: Two Routes for Different Travelers

Easy Route: Scenic Walks and a Mountain Café

Time required: 1.5–2 hours

This route is perfect for sightseeing, families, and first-time alpine visitors.

At Senjojiki Station, stop by 2612 Café & Restaurant and enjoy coffee made with pure alpine meltwater while admiring the panoramic views.
Afterward, a 45-minute loop trail around the cirque allows you to experience:

• Alpine flowers
• Clear snowmelt streams
• Clouds drifting across the peaks
• Dramatic views of Mt. Hoken

✔ No special hiking experience is required
✔ The trail is well-maintained and clearly marked
✔ Comfortable sneakers are sufficient

Hiking Route: To the Summit of Mt. Kisokoma

Time required: 4.5–6 hours

For adventurous travelers, the route to the summit offers a rewarding challenge.
After ascending the steep Hatchozaka slope, the trail continues along the ridgeline through Nokkoshi-Jodo to the summit.

Proper hiking boots are essential
A reasonable level of fitness is required

At the top, hikers are rewarded with 360-degree panoramic views. On clear days, you can see as far as Mt. Fuji and the Northern Alps.

Whether you prefer to take things slow or seek a more challenging adventure, Mt. Kisokoma offers the perfect choice for every traveler. This versatility is one of its greatest attractions.

Relax and Unwind Back at Hotel Kazenoyama

After a day in the mountains, relaxation awaits at Hotel Kazenoyama.
Guests can unwind in the private sauna and jacuzzi, soothing tired muscles while remaining surrounded by nature.

The on-site restaurant BERGWIND serves refined French cuisine using seasonal ingredients from the Minami-Shinshu region, providing a perfect culinary conclusion to the journey.

An Evening of Refined Indulgence

After a memorable dinner, guests are invited to continue the evening at the hotel’s exclusive bar,
“The Bar Marcassin.”
Here, you can savor original handcrafted cocktails and a carefully curated selection of single malt whiskies.
This is a refined, adults-only space—offering a moment of quiet luxury that can only be experienced here.

And the sense of bliss doesn’t end when you set down your glass.

Your Private Seat Under the Stars

Returning to your room, another special experience awaits.
All guest rooms feature a private terrace, your own front-row seat to the night sky.
Step outside, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by a breathtaking canopy of stars—so clear and vivid they feel almost within reach. In complete silence, far from city lights and distractions, you can immerse yourself in a natural planetarium, enjoying the night sky at your own pace, undisturbed by anyone else.

Access to Mt. Kisokoma from Hotel Kazenoyama

From Hotel Kazenoyama, it takes about 30 minutes by car to reach Suganodai Bus Center.
From there, a 30-minute bus ride brings you to Shirabidaira Station, the base of the Komagatake Ropeway.

▶ For detailed ropeway access information, please click here.

A Journey to Reconnect With Yourself

The Mt. Kisokoma area is the perfect choice for those seeking to step away from daily noise and reconnect with nature—and with themselves.

Soar through the sky on the ropeway, encounter awe-inspiring views at the summit, and conclude your journey wrapped in deep relaxation.

An exceptional experience awaits—one designed to switch off the noise of everyday life, release a tense mind, and restore your natural sense of balance.

Why not give yourself the time to relax, reset, and rediscover your true self?

▶ Book Your Stay at Hotel Kazenoyama