Welcome to Kitadake katanokoya Hut!
Kitadake Katanokoya is a mountain hut located at an altitude of 3,000m, directly below the summit of Kitadake, the second highest mountain in Japan.
Visitor reservation and information
If you meet the following criteria, please follow the reservation procedure listed on this page.
- I don’t have a Japanese bank account
- I can’t make a phone reservation in Japanese
目次
Characteristics of Kitadake Katanokoya
Ideal as a base for climbing Mt. Kitadake and the Southern Alps
Kitadake Katanokoya Hut is in the perfect location for an overnight stay on Kitadake.
It takes about 5-6 hours (depending on the individual) from Hirokawara, where buses and taxis stop,
to reach Kitadake Katanokoya.
It takes about 50 minutes to ascend from Kitadake Katanokoya to the summit of Kitadake and about 40 minutes to descend.
It’s in a very convenient location whether you’re reaching the summit on your first day or early the next morning.
Many climbers also use it as a stopover point on their traverse of the Shiramine Sanzan mountains (Kitadake, Ainodake, and Notoridake) .
Characteristics of Mount Kitadake , the leader of the Southern Alps
Kita-dake (3,193m above sea level) is the second highest mountain in Japan after Mount Fuji (3,776m above sea level), and the highest non-volcanic mountain in Japan. It has been selected as one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan, the New 100 famous flowers, and the 100 famous mountains of Yamanashi. Together with Aino-dake, also one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan, and Notori-dake, one of the 200 famous mountains in Japan, it constitutes the Shiramine Sanzan, and is also known as the “leader of the Southern Alps.”
Four seasons at Kitadake
Due to its altitude, Mt. Kitadake is covered in snow for more than half of the year, but the seasons change in the short period from June to October.
Blooms from late June to August
– Japan’s leading treasure trove of alpine plants
Kitadake is one of Japan’s leading treasure troves of alpine plants, and is a place where botanically valuable alpine plants grow.
In spring, Kitadakesou (flowering lilies of the valley) begins to bloom from mid-June, and you can see alpine flower fields until early August. Kitadakesou (flowering from mid-June to late June just after the snow melts) is endemic to Kitadake, and is a source of healing for many climbers.
July to August:
Fresh greenery and summer
In summer (until the end of August), the area is covered in greenery and the temperature is comfortable (approximately -18°C at sea level).
September to early October:
Autumn leaves
Autumn (until the end of September) begins with the red leaves of the Urashima Azalea, and the elevation of the leaves decreases with each week.
Snowfall from mid-October
In winter (from October onwards), the minimum temperature drops below freezing and snow soon piles up. Every year, the area around Kita-dake becomes covered in snow from around mid-October.
A great spot to see Mt. Fuji
If the weather is good, you can see Mt. Fuji from the katanokoya. Mt. Fuji, visible from an altitude of 3000m, attracts many climbers and photographers.
360 degree panorama! A star-filled view
Katanokoya is located at a high altitude, so if the weather is good, you can be surrounded by stars shining in the universe at night! You can experience the grandeur and infinite expanse of the universe.
You might even encounter the Brocken spectre!
The Brocken phenomenon is when sunlight shines from behind and is scattered by fog or clouds on the shadow side, creating a ring of light similar to a rainbow around the shadow of the viewer. The conditions for this often occur at the Kitadake katanokoya!
Rules for climbing the Southern Alps
When climbing in the Southern Alps of Japan, be sure to follow the rules below.
Prepare equipment according to the season
There are some climbers who attempt the climb in the snow without crampons or ice axes, or those who climb without rain-proof gear. This is very dangerous. Please prepare equipment suitable for the seasons of Japan in order to enjoy your climb.
Please take your trash home with you
There are very few trash cans in Japanese mountain lodge. When climbing in Japan it is common understanding to take home everything you bring to the mountain, including garbage, so please do not dispose of trash in the huts or climbing trails.
Aim to arrive at the mountain hut by 3pm
This is also a common understanding within Japanese mountain climbing. Acting without the plan to arrive at the hut before 3pm is very dangerous as you may have an accident or it might become dark before you arrive. If arrive at the hut after 5pm, it is important to contact the hut directly.
Access to the Kitadake trailhead and hiking map
JR Chuo Line Kofu Station – Hirokawara (2 hours by Yamanashi Kotsu bus)
Mountain climbing route map
Hirokawahara – 2:30 – Shirane Oike hut – 2:30 – Kotaro Ridge Junction – 0:30 – Katanokoya – 0:40 – Kitadake
←← The map can be slid sideways →→
Accommodation reservation at Kitadake KatanoKoya
Mountain hut accommodation fees
| One night stay with two meals | 13,000 yen |
|---|---|
| Overnight stay with dinner | 11,500 yen |
| Accommodation only (bedding included) |
9,000 yen |
| Lunch Box | 1,500 yen |
*We do not accept reservations for meals or bento boxes only.
*there are no reservations for tent accommodation,so please come directly.
Advance payment system
we require an advance peyment for the accommodation fee.
When booking your stay, a deposit of 5,000 yen must be paid via PayPal, and the remaining balance must be paid on site (at Kitadake Kata no Koya hut).
The remaining accommodation fee should be paid in cash (Japanese Yen) at Kitadake Katanokoya on the day of your stay.
Cancellation Policy
important
- This occurs regardless of weather, physical condition, etc.
- A flat cancellation fee of 5,000 yen per person will be charged regardless of whether you are booking meals, lodging only, or whether you have a packed lunch.
Please understand that regardless of the reason for cancellation, the 5,000 yen advance payment via PayPal will be treated as a cancellation fee and will not be refunded.
Notes
This is a mountain hut at 3000m, so there are no showers or other facilities. There is a simple partition in the large room. Meal times are breakfast at 5am and dinner at 5pm.
How to book a room
To apply for accommodation, please follow the steps below.
- Check the availability of mountain huts on the calendar
- Fill out and submit the reservation form
- A reply email arrives from Kitadake atanokoya.
- Paying for accommodation with PayPal
- Your reservation is complete.
STEP1
Mountain hut accommodation reservation status
Business period: June 27th to October 26th, 2025
Please check the reservation status and contact us.
Reservation status
○：Available
△：Less than half available
－：Fully booked
STEP2
Fill in and submit the accommodation reservation form
Please fill out and submit the form below.
STEP3
Check the reply email
You will receive a reply email from Kitadake KatanoKoya.
(This is not an automatic reply email after filling out the form.)
If a reservation is available, the email will include the “payment due date for the advance payment.”
STEP4
Pay for your accommodation with PayPal
Please pay the advance fee stated in the email via PayPal.
important
- After receiving the reply email, please pay the advance fee within 3 days. If payment is not confirmed within 3 days, the reservation will be automatically canceled.
- From 3 days before the reservation date, please make payment on the day you receive the reply email. If payment is not confirmed by the next day, the reservation will be automatically canceled.
- please note that the reservation fee is non-refundable for any reason.
Click the PayPal button below
to go to the payment screen.
  |
STEP5
5Complete your reservation
Once we have confirmed your advance payment, we will send you an email confirming your reservation.
We are looking forward to meeting you at Kitadake!
＼ SNSでも投稿しています！ ／
If you make a reservation for one night stay with two meals for two people on August 1st, the total accommodation fee will be 26,000 yen (13,000 yen x 2 people).
When making a reservation, a prepayment of 10,000 yen (5,000 yen x 2 people) will be paid via PayPal.
The remaining 16,000 yen will be paid in Japanese yen when you stay at Kitadake Katanokoya on August 1st.