Overview
Mount Hinokio is a 2,728-meter peak straddling Komagane City and the village of Okuwa in Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture. Standing on the main ridge of the Kiso Mountains (Central Alps), it lies at the midpoint of the traverse route linking Mount Kiso-Komagatake and Mount Utsugi, making it a key waypoint cherished by mountaineers. Near the summit, above the tree line, spreads a belt of creeping pine where the view opens and alpine flowers bloom. It forms the source of the Ina River of the Kiso River system and the Otagiri River of the Tenryu River system, a true watershed of the Central Alps.
Highlights
- ●A 2,728-meter summit at the midpoint of the ridge linking Kiso-Komagatake and Utsugi
- ●A creeping-pine belt above the tree line with alpine flower fields
- ●Landforms preserving Ice Age traces, from periglacial terrain to double ridges
- ●A Central Alps watershed feeding the Ina and Otagiri rivers
History
Mount Hinokio was formerly also called Hinokiozawa-dake and Hino-dake. Its body is composed of medium-grained granodiorite of the Kiso-Koma granite, and the surroundings display well-developed periglacial landforms, while a distinctive double-ridge terrain formed by a linear depression appears on its southern side. At the summit stands a third-order triangulation point named Hashigodaru, marking a history of surveying. These landforms, bearing traces of the Ice Age, tell of a mountain shaped over vast spans of time.
Access
The summit lies on the boundary of Komagane City and Okuwa Village (around 35.75 degrees north, 137.81 degrees east). Climbers generally enter the Central Alps from the Komagane side, approaching via the Senjojiki area and the main ridge traverse. As a serious high mountain set midway along the ridge connecting Kiso-Komagatake and Utsugi, a day trip is difficult and a plan including a mountain hut stay is the norm. Always confirm trail conditions, transport, and hut operations through official information.
Best season
The best time to climb runs from summer, when alpine flowers bloom and the creeping pine glows green, into early autumn when the ridge takes on color. Daytime visibility tends to be more stable then, allowing enjoyment of the grand Central Alps traverse. The 2,728-meter ridge can grow cold even in midsummer, so be prepared for sudden weather changes and strong winds. From late autumn through spring, snow and ice make conditions severe, demanding ample equipment and experience.
Map
35.7519, 137.8133 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Enter the Central Alps from the Komagane side and begin the climb
- 2Ascend to the main ridge and follow the traverse toward Kiso-Komagatake and Utsugi
- 3Enjoy the triangulation point, alpine flowers, and panorama at the summit of Hinokio
- 4Include a mountain-hut stay and descend on a safe, unhurried schedule
Did you know?
💡 Mount Hinokio is the source of two rivers, the Ina and the Otagiri, forming part of the Central Alps watershed. Ice Age traces such as periglacial landforms and double ridges are among its points of interest, and the character for cypress (hinoki) in its name recalls how this area was once tied to the rich forests of the Kiso region.
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