Yatsugatake Fastpacking Trip

This route is aimed at trail runners who are comfortable on technical mountain terrain but have never taken it overnight with a running pack. The Yatsugatake ridgeline on day two involves scrambling, chains, and exposed sections, but if that kind of terrain is familiar to you, this is a great first fastpacking experience.

Day one is deliberately relaxed. We catch the 09:40 bus from Chino Station towards Mugikusa Pass, arriving at 10:51, then head into the mountains via Tengu-dake and the northern Yatsugatake ridge. The aim is to reach Honzawa Onsen campsite by early afternoon, leaving plenty of time to soak in Japan's highest outdoor rotenburo at 2,150m before dinner. The campsite sits in the forest below the ridge, sheltered, not too cold, and a good spot to sleep in mid-summer.

Day two is the bigger day. We are up early to climb to Iodake for sunrise, then along the main Yatsugatake ridgeline past Akadake and Gongendake, a coffee stop at Seinengoya, and a finish at Happoen Shika-no-yu in Fujimi. Two hot springs in two days is not the worst outcome.

This is a self-guided trip. Everyone is on the same course and staying at the same campsite, but we won't always move together. Goodpace are community facilitators, we are not mountain guides or leaders. All participants are responsible for their own safety, their own gear, and their own decisions on the mountain. If you are unsure whether the route is within your abilities, please get in touch before signing up.

Date: Saturday 1 - Sunday 2 August 2026
Meet: 09:20 at Chino Station in time for the 09:40 bus
Bus: 09:40 from Chino Station to Mugikusa Pass (arriving 10:51)
Night: Honzawa Onsen campsite
Finish: Happoen Shika-no-yu, Fujimi
Day 1: 7km, 694m up, 676m down
Day 2: 18.9km, 1,535m up, 2,653m down
Level: Upper Intermediate (4/5) - suited to trail runners with experience on technical mountain terrain who want to try fastpacking for the first time
Price: ¥10,000 - covers campsite reservation, taxi from Happoen Shika-no-yu, and logistical admin costs. Always bring emergency cash - food and supplies cost significantly more in the mountains than in town.

Mandatory Gear

• Headlamp - early start on day two

• Fastpack or pack of at least 25 litres

• Tent or shelter

• Sleeping bag or quilt

• Sleeping pad

• Warm layers - temperatures at altitude in August can drop close to 0°C overnight even in summer

• Emergency bivvy or sheet

• First aid kit

• 1.5 litres of water minimum

• Enough food including lunch and dinner on day one and breakfast on day two

• Mountain insurance

• Towel and swimwear for the onsen

If you are missing anything on this list, let us know and we can help with lending, buying, or renting recommendations.

Cancellation by Participant
More than 7 days before: Full refund minus 10% admin fee
7 days to 72 hours before: 50% refund
Under 72 hours before: No refund

Spot transfers: a participant may transfer their spot to another person at any time, subject to vetting approval by Goodpace. The transfer is the participant's responsibility to arrange - Goodpace do not facilitate peer-to-peer payments.

Cancellation by Goodpace
Force majeure (severe weather, trail closure, natural disaster, safety concern beyond our control): Full transfer to a future Goodpace event, or partial refund after deducting any unrecoverable costs already paid. We will be fully transparent about what has been spent.
Organisational failure within our control: Full refund, no deductions, no questions.