A sharp peak of the southern Yatsugatake range standing west of Akadake, at 2,805 m. From the Funayama Crossroads you follow the Omigoya Ridge, then cross the rocky, chained ground just below the summit to reach the top. It is the third-highest peak in Yatsugatake.
Source: GSI tiles (Geospatial Information Authority of Japan) ／ The route is the editor's measured YAMAP activity track (GPX).Scroll-zoom is enabled after you click the map.
Location & access
Coordinates are the trailhead and summit points from the editor's own GPS track.
Watch
Editor's note
Amidadake is a sharp peak of 2,805 m standing just west of Akadake, the main peak of Yatsugatake. The third-highest peak in Yatsugatake after Akadake and Yokodake, it is the mountain that looks especially sharp beside Akadake when looked up at from the editor’s home town of Hokuto City. The Hokuto editor, having actually climbed it, sets in order this quiet sharp peak — different again from the crowded Akadake.
He walked it in high summer, in July. From the Funayama Crossroads, by way of Mt. Omigoya, he followed the Omigoya Ridge to the west. As he emerged from the forest, the rocky peak of Amidadake rose before him, and just below the summit came the crux — chained rocky ground. Climbing it carefully to the top, he found a grand view opening out: Akadake right in front, the valleys of Yatsugatake below, and the Southern Alps far away.
The editor’s measured time, including breaks, was about 6 hours 9 minutes (departing 04:59, summiting 8:40, descending 11:08). At about 10.8 km and more than 1,200 m of elevation gain, the rocky ground just below the summit is the crux. Note, too, that in summer there are many horseflies, and he was chased in swarms on the descent. Don’t forget your insect protection.
The Omigoya Ridge can be climbed in quiet, but just below the summit is chained rocky ground. Move carefully with three points of contact, and watch for rockfall. Escape routes are few, so decide early if the weather worsens. The loop linking it with Akadake is appealing too, but rocky ground continues on both, so give yourself plenty of time.
Routes
Starting from the Funayama Crossroads, this quiet ordinary route climbs the west ridge of Amidadake (the Omigoya Ridge) by way of Mt. Omigoya. The section just below the summit — around Marishiten and elsewhere — is the crux, with continuous rocky ground and chains and a real sense of exposure. Compared with the route that climbs from the Nakadake col on the Akadake side, it sees fewer people and lets you walk in calm.
From Minotto and the Gyoja-goya hut you climb to the Nakadake col and make an out-and-back to Amidadake. It is often walked as a traverse linking Akadake and Nakadake, letting you savour the main ridge of the southern Yatsugatake. Here too the ground just below the summit is steep and rocky.
Editor's record
The editor's actual timings on this hike (from the video record). Use them as a guide to course times.
History & culture
Amidadake is a sharp peak of 2,805 m standing just west of Akadake (2,899 m), the highest peak of the Yatsugatake range. The third-highest peak in Yatsugatake after Akadake and Yokodake, it sits on the boundary of Chino City, Hara Village and Fujimi Town in Nagano Prefecture.
The name is said to derive from the Buddhist Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Buddha), and Buddhist-inspired place names such as Marishiten and Nakadake are scattered nearby. From the summit a grand view opens up — Akadake rising right before your eyes, the Southern Alps, and, in clear weather, as far as the Northern and Central Alps.
There are several ways up, among them the path from the Funayama Crossroads on the west that follows the Omigoya Ridge, and the path from Minotto and the Gyoja-goya hut on the east by way of the Nakadake col. On every one of them the ground just below the summit is continuously rocky, making it one of the more rewarding climbs in Yatsugatake.
Photos
All photos were taken by the editor on the actual hike. Tap to enlarge.
The mossy forest belt of the Omigoya Ridge. Walking through a forest typical of Yatsugatake (around 2,150 m).
Emerging from the forest to view the sharp peak of Amidadake wreathed in cloud (around 2,520 m).
The rocky ridge just below the summit. Climbing the rugged crux (around 2,780 m).
Standing on the summit of Amidadake (elevation 2,805 m).
Carefully passing the rocky ground and chains just below the summit.
Alpine plants blooming among the rocks (on the descent).FAQ
