Announcements

Since earlier this month, the Japan Meteorological Agency has been posting updates on volcanic activity affecting the area around Mt. Yake (or Yake-dake). Numerous earthquakes have been detected and cited as evidence of greatly increased activity within the mountain.

In light of recent reports that many hikers, including a number of visitors from abroad, have continued climbing Mt. Yake, we would ask any prospective climbers to exercise caution when planning such an excursion.

What are the risks of an eruption?

The JMA has reported that in the ten day period between June 6th and June 10th, there have been 79 quakes relating to volcanic activity: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/nagano/20240616/1010031151.html

Due to ongoing volcanic and seismic activity, Mt. Yake currently has an alert rating of 1 (the lowest threat level for an active volcano), but this may soon be raised to 2 if these activities continue unabated. For an explanation of these threat levels, follow this hyperlink.

Access to Kamikochi has reopened as of 06:00 this morning.

As of 12:30 on May 28th, 2024, roads leading into the park have been temporarily closed due to heavy rainfall. Also, Route 158 has been closed between Sawando and Nakanoyu. Access to Kamikochi will not be possible until the road closures have been lifted.

We will update our readers on the expected end to this situation as more information becomes available to us.

This year 2024, Kamikochi will officially open to the public on April 27th, after the Kama Tunnel, which grants access to the park via buses and taxis, has opened as scheduled on April 17th, as usual. See this article for this year’s trail conditions.

Kamikochi is closed for this season. Thanks to all the funs of Kamikochi, there are so many people visited here.

Due to heavy rainfall, the trail to Mt. Yakedake from Kamikochi is closed from the end of May possibly until mid-June.

Besides, today (June 2), the road to enter Kamikochi is temporarily closed due to heavy rainfall by typhoon. We hope it will open tomorrow. Check this machine translated Alpico Bus web page.

This year, Kamikochi will officially open to the public on April 27th, after the Kama Tunnel, which grants access to the park via buses and taxis, has opened as scheduled on April 17th, as usual. See this blog article for the details and this year’s schedule of opening dates of some facilities. See this article for this year’s trail conditions.

Kamikochi is closed for this season. Thanks to all the funs of Kamikochi, there are so many people visited here.

Image: Nature Guide Five Sense, Kamikochi blog

As of July 12th, 2022, the warning level for Mount Yake has been lowered from 2 to 1. This means that hikers are no longer forbidden form hiking to and around the summit.

Mount Yake is one of Kamikochi’s most popular day hikes and can be approached from several trailheads. The reopening of the trails is sure to please visitors seeking a rewarding mid-level mountain excursion suitable for hikers of all levels.

Source of Information: Asahi Shinbun Digital

This year, Kamikochi will officially open to the public on April 27th of this year, after the Kama Tunnel, which grants access to the park via buses and taxis, has opened as scheduled on April 17th, as usual. See this blog article for the details.

We uploaded this year’s schedule of opening dates of facilities here.

Kamikochi is closed for this season. Thanks to all the funs of Kamikochi, There are so many people visited here same as usual year.