Mt. Gongendake Hiking Guide | A loop from Kannondaira over Amigasayama and the Giboshi rock ridge in the southern Yatsugatake

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Editor's note

Editor's note

編集長

Climbed on：2026-07-02

Gongendake is a 2,715 m mountain rising in the southern part of the Yatsugatake range. On the boundary of the editor's home town of Hokuto and Nagano, just before Akadake, it is a high peak of the southern Yatsugatake that shows a sharp rocky peak beyond Amigasayama. Even among the same Yatsugatake peaks as Akadake, Amidadake and Amigasayama, the Hokuto editor actually climbs and reports on this summit, memorable for the Giboshi rock ridge and its iron-sword crown.

I walked it in October. Leaving Kannondaira early in the morning, I first headed for Amigasayama. I descended to Seinen-goya, crossed the rock ridge of West and East Giboshi, worked through the chained sections and stood on the summit of Gongendake. From the summit ridge the rock ridges of Akadake and Amidadake felt close enough to touch, and a sea of cloud spread out below. On the way down I looped around Mitsugashira, and looking back, Gongendake and the sharp rocky peaks of Giboshi soared into the autumn sky.

The editor's measured time was about 9 hours 43 minutes including breaks (departed 05:38, reached the summit at 10:49, descended at 15:21), a distance of about 11.0 km and about 1,445 m of ascent. Packed with the Giboshi chained sections, the exposed rock ridge and the grand view of Akadake close at hand, it was a rewarding loop that feels of the southern Yatsugatake.

From West and East Giboshi to just below Gongendake, rocky ground with chains and ladders continues. Move carefully with three-point contact, and watch for falling rocks. It is a long loop with a large elevation change, so make an early start and allow time to spare. In the residual-snow and midwinter seasons it is a snow climb for experienced mountaineers. The traverse along the main ridge linking Gongendake to Akadake is also an appeal unique to Yatsugatake.

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Editor's record

Editor's measured times

The editor's actual timings on this hike (from the video record). Use them as a guide to course times.

1. 05:38Depart the Kannondaira trailhead
2. 08:13Amigasayama (elevation 2,524 m)
3. 08:57Seinen-goya (the saddle with the red lantern of the "far-off tavern")
4. 09:48West Giboshi (into the chained rock ridge)
5. 10:24East Giboshi · Gongen-goya
6. 10:49Reach the summit of Gongendake (elevation 2,715 m; the rocky peak where the iron sword stands)
7. 12:25Mitsugashira (elevation 2,580 m; a fine viewpoint for Akadake)
8. 15:21Descend to Kannondaira (loop, about 9h43m)

History & culture

History & culture

Mt. Gongendake (Gongendake, 2,715 m) rises in the southern part of the Yatsugatake range. Standing on the boundary of Hokuto City in Yamanashi and Fujimimachi and Haramura in Nagano, it is one of the high peaks that make up the southern part of the Yatsugatake main ridge.

The summit is a steep rocky peak, known for the long iron sword that stands close to its top. To the west the sharp rock ridge of West and East Giboshi runs on, and to the north the main Yatsugatake ridge continues from Asahidake over the Kiretto to Akadake. To the south stretch Amigasayama and Mitsugashira, and Gongen-goya stands just below the summit.

The name is said to derive from "Gongen" of the mountain faith. Kannondaira, Tennyoyama and Fujimi Kogen are the main trailheads, and it is loved as a loop taking in Amigasayama and Mitsugashira, and as a starting point for the traverse to Akadake. From the summit, a grand view opens up over the rock ridges of Akadake and Amidadake close at hand, all the way to Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps and the Northern Alps.

Photos

Photos from the trail

All photos were taken by the editor on the actual hike. Tap to enlarge.

The summit of Amigasayama, standing on a top of piled rocks. Looking out over the rocky peaks of the southern Yatsugatake (elevation 2,524 m).Descending from Amigasayama to Seinen-goya. Below lie Seinen-goya and the ridge to Gongendake ahead (elevation about 2,420 m).The rocky, grass-tufted steep climb leading to West Giboshi. Gongendake draws near (elevation about 2,630 m).On the Giboshi ridge, arms spread wide at a viewpoint looking down on a sea of cloud (elevation about 2,630 m).The grand panorama of the main Yatsugatake ridge — Akadake, Amidadake and more — seen from the Gongendake ridge (elevation about 2,690 m).The summit ridge of Gongendake. Standing on the top of the rocky peak (elevation 2,715 m).A rocky peak near Gongendake, and the sea of cloud spreading out below (elevation about 2,700 m).The top of Mitsugashira. A fine viewpoint looking out to Akadake and Gongendake (elevation 2,580 m).Gongendake and the sharp rocky peaks of Giboshi, seen from Mitsugashira (elevation about 2,580 m).

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