What Is Yatsugatake? Peaks, Highland Lakes and Villages on the Nagano and Yamanashi Border
This guide is for visitors who want to know what the Yatsugatake Mountains are and what lies at their foot. It uses two pages of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the Yamanashi Tourism Organization's page on the Yatsugatake area and the English site of the Chino Tourism Organization. All pages were read on 2026-10-04.
The pages are general introductions, so we avoid precise details they do not give.
The short answer
JNTO says the Yatsugatake mountain range stretches 30 kilometres north to south and 15 kilometres east to west along the border between Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures. It calls the mountains one of Nagano's most popular hiking and trekking destinations, with the fascinating Suwa region at their doorstep.
North and south
JNTO says the range can roughly be divided into two areas. The northern stretch is not as high and has lots of easier hikes. The southern section has dense forest, rugged peaks and true alpine trekking. Its hiking page describes the rocky, towering Minami Yatsugatake, which it calls a 3,000 metre peak, and the peaceful virgin forests and tranquil lakes of Kita Yatsugatake.
The Chino Tourism Organization describes the Yatsugatake as a long-extinct volcano that reaches a height of almost 3,000 metres, offering trekkers great views of Mt. Fuji and the Alps. JNTO says that while Fuji may top Yatsugatake in height, the range is second to none for stunning alpine landscapes and the sheer number of trekking options.
Wildlife and flowers
The area is home to flying squirrels, deer, Japanese serow, raccoon dogs, foxes and the occasional bear, according to JNTO. It says the alpine flowers of summertime draw camera-toting trekkers from across the nation and beyond.
The plateau and Lake Shirakaba
JNTO says the plateau between Kirigamine and Yatsugatake's Mt. Tateshina is very popular in summer. The artificial Lake Shirakaba and its nearby theme park are described as fantastic destinations for families and couples escaping the Tokyo summer heat. The Chino Tourism Organization describes the Lake Shirakaba and Kurumayama area as a paradise for outdoor lovers, where you can hike, jog, cycle, canoe and ski at over 1,400 metres.
The same site describes the Tateshina area as a sanctuary of relaxation for centuries, where over six types of hot springs flow.
Museums
JNTO lists a few museums for the rest of the day. The Tateshina Teddy Bear Museum has a monumental collection of stuffed bears. The Yatsugatake Museum of Art displays work by local artists and craftspeople, with changing seasonal exhibits. Chino's Togariishi Museum of Jomon Archaeology holds artifacts dating back to the Suwa region's earliest prehistoric inhabitants.
The southern foot in Yamanashi
The Yamanashi Tourism Organization's page describes the resort town of Kiyosato at the southern foot of the range as popular for its old-fashioned charm, beautiful views and dairy. It says Kobuchizawa has a long history of horse breeding, with ranches, stables and horse clubs across the landscape.
The page also describes the Umenoki and Kinsei prehistoric sites and the Hokuto Archaeological Museum. It describes Makiba Park, on rolling hills with the Yatsugatake mountains behind, where ponies, cows and rabbits roam freely at elevations of 1,200 to 1,700 metres. A second page says Kiyosato is filled with European-style buildings, including guesthouses, hotels and restaurants, and has art galleries and outdoor activities such as hiking, golf, tennis and skiing.
The Utsukushimori Lookout is described as offering panoramic 360 degree views of the Kiyosato Plateau, and on a clear day the Southern Alps and Mt. Fuji.
More places around Hokuto
The Yamanashi page lists many other places on the southern side. Daigahara Shuku was the 40th of 44 post towns on the Koshu Kaido route, which joined Edo with Shinano Province through Kai Province, and it has kept its Edo-period character. Mount Mizugaki, at 2,230 metres, has an unusual jagged peak that suits rock climbing and bouldering. The Kawamatagawa Valley is one of the most popular nature spots in Yamanashi and has Doryu Falls, whose name means spitting dragon mouth.
The Ojiragawa Gorge is described as popular at any time of year and especially beautiful when the leaves change in autumn and in the lush greenery of early summer. A suspension bridge and a shrine stand beside it, about a five-minute walk from the gorge's parking lot.
What we could not verify, and therefore left out
- The exact height of the highest peak, since the pages give only round figures.
- Opening hours and prices of the museums and parks.
- Which hot springs are open to day visitors.
- Current trail conditions on either side of the range.
Related guides
- How Do You Get to the Yatsugatake Mountains and Kiyosato by Train and Bus?
- How Do Mountain Lodges and Hiking Work in the Yatsugatake Mountains?
Sources
All URLs retrieved 2026-10-04.
- Yatsugatake Mountains (JNTO) — (north and south, wildlife, Lake Shirakaba, museums)
- Yatsugatake Mountains hiking page (JNTO) — (30 by 15 kilometres, Minami and Kita Yatsugatake)
- Chino Travel (Chino Tourism Organization) — (extinct volcano, Tateshina, Kurumayama)
- Yatsugatake Area (Yamanashi Tourism Organization) — (Kiyosato, Kobuchizawa, prehistoric sites, Makiba Park, lookout)
- Kiyosato (Yamanashi Tourism Organization) — (European-style buildings, galleries, activities)