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Japan Traverse in Photos: The Chuo Alps (中アルプス)

By Mac Leave a Comment

The second stage of my Japan Alps Traverse covered the Chuo Alps (中アルプス) – aka the Central Alps. Our trek through the Chuo Alps Lasted only about 24 hours as this is the shortest of the three ranges comprising the Japanese Alps. We entered the Chuo Alps via the Fukushima A Course (福島Aコース) in the north and exited via the trail heading east from the summit of Utsugidake (空木岳) past Komahohuytte.

Luckily, the weather was fairly good for our time in the Chuo Alps as we only had the one day of hiking to see them. In the middle of the Chuo Alps, the Kisokomagatake Ropeway (駒ケ岳ロープウェー) brings hikers up the eastern slopes and the area between Kisokomagatake (駒ケ岳) and Hokendake (宝剣岳) can become extremely crowded (there are a total of five mountain huts in the span of something like 1.25 mi / 2 km. South of Hokendake (宝剣岳) the trails are relatively free of people and it’s not until reaching Kisotonosanso at Kisodonokoshi that you can really expect to see any more hikers.

If you only have a short time to hike in Japan, a traverse of the Chuo Alps would be an excellent choice. There are trails heading further south through the Chuo Alps that we did not explore on our traverse, but that I would love to investigate in the future as we missed a few peaks by not heading down these (very unused) trails.

The photos in this post are in order of north to south and the peaks covered in this section are listed at the bottom of this post. If you’re interested in the daily itinerary for this route, you can find it here.

Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Switchbacks
Our entry into the Chuo Alps was the first time (and one of the only times) we encountered switchbacks.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Trees
We didn’t see any animals in the Chuo Alps 🙁
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Unstaffed Hut
Inside an unstaffed shelter below the summit of Mugikusadake.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Tamanokubogoya
Looking west toward Tamanokubogoya (which was under renovation) and Kisomaedake.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Ontakesan
The view looking west toward Ontakesan (Mount Ontake) – where we exited the Kita Alps.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Kisogoya
Looking west toward Kisogoya and Ontakesan.
Japan Traverse Chou Alps Rock Tunnel
I don’t know why, but I always like going under rocks. Maybe I should get into caving.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Signs
It’s not as scary matching written Japanese on your map to Japanese on the signs as you may think (just make sure the match is exact).
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Children
Halfway through the Chuo Alps there’s a ropeway on the eastern side – this is the result (yes, those are all people).
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Scramble
We took the high route south of Nakadake.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Summit
You need to climb up to this spot to find this sigh (worth it).
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Hiker
Saying goodbye to the views as the clouds roll in.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps
Looking south toward Utsugidake.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps
Looking back north – up and down the entire way.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Mac
Classic Japan mountain pose.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Rock Trail
Can you spot the trail?
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps
This spot really reminds me of a place I was at in Tasmania’s Western Arthurs.
Japan Traverse Chou Alps Sunshine
The bush in the Chuo Alps is a lot thicker than the Kita Alps since they aren’t quite as high (at least that’s my guess).
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Blue Mountains
At this point in the day most Japanese hikers would have stopped at their huts – the “recommended” time is 15:00.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Cloudy Ridge
Oh, how I missed you, clouds.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Hinokiohinangoya
The lonely (and unstaffed) Hinokiohinangoya.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Cloudy Ridge
A look down the southernmost bit of the Chuo Alps (we exited to the east before hitting the ridge in the background).
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Ridgeline
There are very few suitable camping spots along the ridgeline. This is one.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Ridge
Straight up the spine we go.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Kisotonosanso
Descending to Kisotonosanso at Kisodonokoshi.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Komahohyutte
Heading down the ridge to Komahohyutte.
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps Final Hut
The last shelter we passed in the Chuo Alps – we camped outside.
Japan Traverse Chou Alps Chains
There are a few spots where hands are required.
Japan Traverse Chou Alps Ladder
INFRASTRUCTURE!
Japan Traverse Chuo Alps
There are some fairly nice trails leading in and out of the mountains.

Chuo Alps Peaks

  • Marishitenyama (摩利支天山) – 9710 ft / 2959.5 m
  • Akabayashiyama (赤林山) – 7145 ft / 2177.9 m
  • Kisokomagatake* (駒ケ岳) – 9698 ft / 2956.1 m
  • Nakadake (中岳) – 9596 ft / 2925 m
  • Hokendake (宝剣岳) – 9616 ft / 2931 m
  • Hinokiodake (檜尾岳) – 8950 ft / 2728 m
  • Kumazawadake (熊沢岳) – 9114 ft / 2778 m
  • Higashikawadake (東川岳) – 8763 ft / 2671 m
  • Kisodonokoshi (木曽殿越) – 8038 ft / 2450 m
  • Utsugidake* (空木岳) – 9396 ft / 2864 m

Peaks denoted with an asterisk (*) are part of Nihon Hyakumeizan (100 Famous Japanese Mountains).

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Japan,  Japan,  Japan Alps Traverse,  Photo Gallery Chuo Alps,  Photography

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