Mount Kasa Mountain
Alpine peak in Gifu popular with hikers
Located in Gifu Prefecture, Mount Kasa provides hikers with established trails, subalpine terrain and viewpoints over nearby Hida high country-popular with local mountaineers.
Mount Kasa at a Glance#
Address: Northern Gifu Prefecture, near the Hida Mountains (Japanese Alps) - trailheads accessible from Takayama and nearby towns
Hours: Open year‑round (daylight hours)
Admission: Free (trail access)
About Mount Kasa#
Mount Kasa is a mountain in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, that forms part of the regional highlands and is frequented by hikers. It is known locally as a peak with established routes and mountain-hut support on popular approaches.
Trails to the summit are used seasonally, with the period between late spring and early autumn offering the most reliable conditions for non-technical ascents. The mountain is visited for panoramic views and for inclusion in longer ridge or multi-day routes in the area.
The mountain’s routes and facilities developed over the 20th century as recreational hiking grew in Japan, and maintained trails and huts support regular visitor use.
It is located in Gifu Prefecture’s mountainous interior, reachable from local trailheads and public transport links serving the region.
- Hiking infrastructure: Popular with hikers and mountaineers in the region, with established trails and seasonal mountain huts on common routes.
How to Get to Mount Kasa#
Trailheads reachable from Takayama or Matsumoto by local buses that operate seasonally. The nearest large transport hub is Takayama; local information centres list current trail and hut statuses.
Tips for Visiting Mount Kasa#
- Start early for good sunlight on the ridgelines and to avoid afternoon fog.
- The Gifu Alpine Club and local huts offer up‑to‑date information; mountain weather changes quickly.
- Combine Kasa with nearby peaks for a multi‑day traverse if experience allows.
Best Time to Visit Mount Kasa#
Best in summer and early autumn for clear ridgelines and established mountain hut operations; avoid winter unless experienced with snow travel.
Weather & Climate near Mount Kasa#
Mount Kasa's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -17°C to 18°C. Heavy rainfall (2222 mm/year), wettest in August.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -17° - -7° | -23° | 75 mm | overcast | 97% | 8.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.8h |
| February | Poor | -17° - -7° | -22° | 84 mm | overcast | 94% | 7.9 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.7h |
| March | Poor | -14° - -3° | -17° | 126 mm | overcast | 89% | 8.4 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -6° - 4° | -8° | 173 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 7.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 13.0h |
| May | Poor | -1° - 9° | -1° | 197 mm | overcast | 78% | 6.6 m/s | 1.5 high | 14.0h |
| June | Poor | 4° - 13° | 5° | 277 mm | overcast | 82% | 5.9 m/s | 1.5 very high | 14.5h |
| July | Acceptable | 8° - 17° | 13° | 308 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.3 m/s | 1.6 very high | 14.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 9° - 18° | 14° | 331 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 13.4h |
| September | Poor | 6° - 14° | 7° | 300 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Poor | -1° - 8° | -1° | 165 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 7.2 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.1h |
| November | Poor | -7° - 2° | -10° | 112 mm | partly cloudy | 91% | 7.8 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.1h |
| December | Poor | -14° - -4° | -18° | 74 mm | overcast | 95% | 7.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.6h |