The lord of the Okuchichibu main ridge, standing at the border of Kai, Musashi and Shinano at 2,475 m — one of the 100 Famous Mountains. A loop from Mokidaira that follows the source of the Chikumagawa (Shinanogawa) River over Kobushigatake and Sanposan.
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
Kobushigatake is one of the 100 Famous Mountains, standing at 2,475 m at the border of the three provinces of Kai (Yamanashi), Musashi (Saitama) and Shinano (Nagano). It is the lord of the same Okuchichibu main ridge as Mizugaki and Kinpusan, and it is also the watershed that is the source of the three great rivers of the Chikumagawa (Shinanogawa), the Arakawa and the Fuefukigawa. The Hokuto editor actually walked the loop that follows the source of the Chikumagawa, and organises it here.
I walked it in late November. From Mokidaira on the Nagano side, I climbed through the deep forest of Veitch fir and moss while watching the Name Falls and the 'very first drop' of the Chikumagawa source. In the cold air of frost and sub-zero temperatures all day, I reached the summit of Kobushigatake. Then I crossed over Sanposan (2,483 m; the highest peak in Saitama Prefecture and the high point of this route) just to the north, and looped on via Bushinshiraiwayama and Oyama to Jumonji Pass.
The editor's measured time was about 8 hours 31 minutes including breaks (departing 07:01, summit 10:39, down 15:31), for about 15.2 km. With many ups and downs, he struggled a little on what he had intended to finish within 7 hours. Rather than views, this is a peak for savouring the source waters, the deep forest and the quiet mountain walking that is so like Okuchichibu.
It is a loop for the fit, long and with many ups and downs. Be thorough about an early start, and from late autumn to spring prepare for sub-zero temperatures, ice and lingering snow. Escape options are scarce, so do not overdo it and consider using the Kobushi Hut. The source waters and the mossy forest have a charm found only in Okuchichibu.
Routes
A popular route starting from Mokidaira on the Nagano side, climbing along the source of the Chikumagawa (Shinanogawa) River. You gain height while taking in the Name Falls and the very first drop of the source, then reach Kobushigatake. The editor walked a loop that goes on over Sanposan, Bushinshiraiwayama and Oyama and descends to Jumonji Pass. With many ups and downs and a long distance, it demands stamina.
A route with continuous steep climbing up the Tokuchan Shindo and Chikamaru Shindo from the Nishizawa Keikoku gorge on the Yamanashi side. It reaches Kobushigatake via Tokusayama. The elevation difference is large, so this one is for the fit as well. Planning to stay at the Kobushi Hut just below the summit is also popular.
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
Kobushigatake is a mountain of 2,475 m standing almost at the centre of the Okuchichibu main ridge, and is one of the 100 Famous Mountains. Its name is said to derive from its position at the border of the three provinces of Kai (Yamanashi), Musashi (Saitama) and Shinano (Nagano).
This mountain is also a watershed that is the source of three great rivers: the Chikumagawa (Shinanogawa), the Arakawa and the Fuefukigawa (Fujikawa). Climbing from Mokidaira on the Nagano side, you can follow the 'very first drop' of the Chikumagawa source all the way to the summit, where a source monument greets hikers.
Just north of the summit is Sanposan (2,483 m), the highest peak in Saitama Prefecture — a summit a little higher than Kobushigatake itself. The whole area is cloaked in deep Veitch fir forest and moss, and the quiet, weighty ranges are typical of Okuchichibu. From the summit you can look out to Kinpusan, Kokushigatake, Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps.
Photos
All photos were taken by the editor on the actual hike. Tap to enlarge.
The mossy old-growth forest of Okuchichibu. Climbing through dappled sunlight (about 2,150 m).
A signpost at the junction for Kobushigatake, Sanposan and others. A faint dusting of snow on the ridge (about 2,360 m).
Looking out from the ridge over the Okuchichibu ranges with drifting clouds (about 2,380 m).
The summit marker of Kobushigatake, under the clear blue sky of late autumn (2,475 m).
Arms spread wide on the summit of Kobushigatake, lord of the Okuchichibu main ridge (2,475 m).
The sweeping view from the summit; ranges line up under the clear late-autumn sky (2,475 m).
The descent path under conifers and blue sky, heading down toward Jumonji Pass (about 2,280 m).FAQ
