Mount Kisokoma

Mountain Kiso Mountains peak featuring alpine meadows and trails

Kisokoma in Nagano is reached by ropeway to the Senjojiki cirque; visitors walk alpine meadows, use mountain huts, and follow ridgelines in the Kiso Mountains during the summer season.

Main image
Chojo Sanso on Mount Kisokoma 2021-07-20.jpg
Kiso-Komagatake & Tenryu River, Nakazawa Komagane-city 2013.JPG
Kisokomagatake from mugikusadake 25 2007 4 29.jpg
Kisokomagatake from Nakadake 2003-9-27.jpg
Kisokomagatake from Shogigashirayama 2007-5-28.JPG
Komagatake various 2009 4 30etc.jpg
Larix kaempferi and en Mount Mount Kisokoma in Mount Kyo 2009-04-30.jpg
Mount Hoken and Mount Kisokoma from Mount Tokura.jpg
Mount Hoken from Mount Kazakoshi 2010-4-25.jpg
Mount Hoken from Mount Kazakoshi.jpg

Mount Kisokoma, also known as Kiso-Komagatake, is a prominent summit in the Kiso or Central Alps of Nagano Prefecture, Japan, rising to roughly 2,956 metres. It is a well-known mountaineering and hiking destination within the Japanese Alps.

The mountain features an accessible high-alpine plateau and dramatic ridgelines. Many visitors use the Komagatake Ropeway to reach the Senjojiki area then continue on foot to the summit, enjoying alpine meadows and wide panoramic views across the Central Alps and toward the Southern Alps on clear days.

Kisokoma has long been used as a climbing and hiking objective; trail networks and mountain huts were established in the 20th century to support recreational use. The area has been managed to support both day hikers and multi-day traverses along the Kiso ridgelines.

Geographically it occupies the central part of Honshu within Nagano Prefecture, forming part of the Kiso Mountain range. Approaches are commonly made from the town of Komagane and other valley settlements on the range’s flanks.

  • Elevation: Summit elevation is about 2,956 metres, making it one of the higher peaks in the Kiso (Central) Alps.
  • Access: A ropeway provides fast access to the alpine plateau, shortening the approach for non-technical walkers and climbers.

What to See #

  • Komagatake Ropeway: Aerial tramway that carries visitors from around 1,000 metres to a high alpine platform near 2,600 metres, providing easy access to the mountain's cirque.
  • Senjojiki Plateau: A high-elevation plateau and cirque used as a staging area for ascents, notable for alpine flowers in summer and views over the Central Alps.
Mount Kisokoma
35.7898, 137.8042

How to Get to Mount Kisokoma #

Take the JR Iida Line to Komagane Station (a common gateway for the Central Alps). From Komagane Station a short local bus or taxi connects to the base of the Komagatake Ropeway (Komagatake-san Ropeway). The ropeway takes you up to the Senjojiki cirque, from which marked trails to Mount Kisokoma begin - the ropeway top is a short walk (roughly 5-15 minutes) to the main trailheads.

Tips for Visiting Mount Kisokoma #

  • Take the Komagatake Ropeway from Komagane up to the Senjōjiki cirque to shave hours off the ascent and still enjoy the summit ridge-plan to catch the first ropeway for clearer views and to avoid the typical mid- to late-morning cloud buildup.
  • Don't skip the Senjōjiki plateau: the alpine flower displays and sweeping views over the Kiso Valley are concentrated there and are easily missed by hikers who head straight for the summit; allow time to walk the cirque and return via the same ropeway schedule.

Best Time to Visit Mount Kisokoma #

For Mount Kisokoma in Nagano, aim for midsummer (July-September) for the most dependable, snow-free alpine hiking conditions.

Summer (best access)
July-September · 0-20°C (summit to valley)
Mid-summer provides the most reliable period for alpine hiking with reduced snow on trails and clearer weather windows.
Late spring / early autumn
May-June, October · -5-15°C (summit to valley)
Can feature residual snow at higher elevations and cool nights-routes are quieter but may require crampons depending on snowmelt.
Winter
November-April · <-10-5°C (summit to valley)
Cold, snowy and often technical conditions-appropriate winter mountaineering experience and equipment are needed.

Weather & Climate near Mount Kisokoma #

Climate

Mount Kisokoma's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -16°C to 17°C. Heavy rainfall (2322 mm/year), wettest in August.

Best Time to Visit
AugustJulyNovember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
30°
Warmest Month
-17°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -7°C and lows of -16°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

33 Poor

Comfort

-12°
Feels Like Freezing
-12°C
Temperature
-16° -7°
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
7.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.4
UV Index
Low
9.9h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -16°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

31 Poor

Comfort

-11°
Feels Like Freezing
-11°C
Temperature
-16° -6°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

80 mm
Rainfall
7.5 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.8h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -13°C. Significant rainfall (132 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

31 Poor

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-13° -3°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

132 mm
Rainfall
6.7 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (190 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

38 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-6°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

190 mm
Rainfall
7.6 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.2
UV Index
High
13.0h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Heavy rain (214 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

214 mm
Rainfall
7.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.5
UV Index
Very High
13.9h daylight

June

June is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Heavy rain (302 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

302 mm
Rainfall
6.1 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.5
UV Index
Very High
14.4h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Heavy rain (320 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

320 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
14.1h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (366 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
17°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

366 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
13.3h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Heavy rain (316 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

316 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (174 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

174 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.2h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -7°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

45 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-7°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
6.7 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.2h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

37 Poor

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-13° -3°
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
6.4 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

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