What You Need to Know About Hiking Japan’s Iconic Mt. Asama in 2023

Japan is known for its sushi and technology, but I love its mountains and 111 active volcanoes the most. One of my favorite activities, only a few hours from Tokyo, is to hike Mt. Asama. Mount. Asama sits behind one of Japan’s popular resort towns, Karizuawa, and is an unforgettable climb.

Visiting Japan? Read: How to Spend 48 Hours in Tokyo With Only $100 and The five best hostels for solo travelers

In this article, I will discuss how to hike Mt. Asama, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, safely. I will share how to access the trail even without a car and suggest different routes to Mt. Asama based on level. 

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Asama 2024 Updates

There is information online about Mt. Asama, but most of it is dated. In March 2023, Mt. Asama was recently upgraded from a level 1 volcano to a level 2 volcano, meaning the volcano is now more active. Some popular routes to Asama are currently closed due to safety concerns. 

Currently, Mt. Asama is still at a level 2 warning. You can check the advisory levels on Japan’s Meteorological Agency’s Website.

Level 1 allows access to Mt. Maekake, which is the closest way to get to the crater. Level 2 to within 2km of the summit, so Mt. Jakotsu and Mt. Kurofu are the closest you can safely get to Asama. Level 3 warning essentially means the entire trail is closed.

Even with a level 2 warning, there are safe trails for admiring Asama, and I highly recommend it. Hiking to see Mt. Asama was a life-changing experience and one of my favorite hikes I have ever done—and I have visited over 50 National Parks. 

Read: Best National Parks for Solo Travel: 7 Parks Perfect for a Solo Trip

Is It Safe to Hike Mt. Asama?

Mt. Asama is widely considered the most active volcano on Japan’s main island Honshu. Plenty of signs across the trail indicate that in the event of an eruption, you need to leave the area immediately.

So, it’s never completely safe to hike near an active volcano. However, it is heavily monitored, and officials will close routes that threaten safety. So, you will only really be in danger if you do not follow signage and continue on a closed trail. 

Of course, you should check updates on Asama from Japan’s Meteorological Agency’s Website before you hit the trail. Under a level 3 warning, you should not attempt to hike to Mt. Kurofu.

Is It Safe to Hike Mt. Asama Solo?

Worried about hiking alonE? Read: Is It Safe to Hike Alone? 10 Solo Hiking Tips

Depending on your route—see my recommended routes for beginners or advanced hikers below—you can safely hike Asama alone.

Of course, you must be adequately prepared and download a trail map before climbing. You can also get a trail map from the Tourist Information Center outside of Komoro Station before you take your bus to the trailhead. 

Asama can be a difficult hike, though, as it has a steady elevation change. I would not recommend this as a first solo hike. However, hikers with experience in solo hiking can safely enjoy this hike. 

Just let someone know where you are hiking and when you plan to return— something you should do every time you hike alone, and especially, when hiking Asama.

How to Hike Mt. Asama

There are many different ways to summit Mount Asama. However, these routes are dependent on the volcano conditions.

As you see in the map above, there are a few different ways to reach the peak. With more research, you will learn that many of these routes are off-limits.

Currently, Asama is at level 2 volcanic activity. This makes for insane views of steam spewing into the clouds, making it harder to get close to the action.

What Asama Trails Are Closed Due to Volcanic Activity?

The route to Asama from Karuizawa is the shortest trek, but it has been closed off since an eruption in 2004. So, to get close to Asama, hikers first need to climb the outer rim and go back down into the valley. Then, climb up to Mt. Maekake. Maekake is the closest you can get to Asama safely.

However, when Mount Asama was upgraded from level 1 to level 2 activity, the trail up to Maekake closed. Under a level 2 warning, no one is permitted within 2 Km of Asama. 

When I hiked Asama in June 2023, I was eager to reach Maekake because it was the closest I could get to Asama. However, I failed to realize it was closed. I was disappointed, but luckily the views you get of Asama from Mt. Kurofu and Mt. Jakotsu were still incredible. 

Love Japan? Read my Ultimate Japan Bucket List: The Best Thing to Do in Every Prefecture

How to Access Mt. Asama by Public Transportation

Since the Karuizawa trail is closed, the easiest way to access Asama is via a bus from Komoro Station.

From Tokyo, you can take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Sakudaira Station. The JR Pass covers the Hokuriku Shinkansen. If you are taking other trips around Nagano to Hakuba or Snow Monkey Park, you should consider purchasing the JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass. It is typically the most cost-effective way to travel around Nagano and Tokyo.

Then, take a 10-minute local train ride to Komoro on the Koumi Line (210 Yen). Right outside Komoro Station is the bus stop to Takamine Kogen, where the trailhead to Mt. Kurofu begins.

There are a couple of different bus stop signs outside of Komoro Station. Go to the first bus sign closest to the station. That is where the bus will come to take you to Takamine Kogen.

You don’t need to get a ticket beforehand. Once the bus arrives, the driver will ask you where you are headed. Say the Takamine Kogen Hotel. That’s where the trail starts. You will then pay 1,070 Yen by putting your money through a machine on the bus. 

How a Beginner Can Hike to Asama

As mentioned above, you can’t technically hike to Asama because it is active and dangerous. However, you can still get fairly close and see steam rising from the lava fields.

Start your hike at the Takamine Kogen Hotel bus stop. You will see a few benches and a massive map of the hiking trails in the area. It’s hard to miss.

You will hike 3 miles (out and back) to Mt. Kurofu, which has incredible views of Asama. On clear days, you can even see Fuji and the Japanese Alps. 

The trail isn’t easy, but it is not technically challenging either. There is considerable elevation change, and some rocks are very loose. So, be careful with your footing. 

The trail to Asama is not super exciting until you hit a fork in the trail where the more challenging loop trail begins. In this section, you will be stunned by the beauty. Mountains on all sides surround you, and you can see Asama’s smoke. Straight down the ravine is a lush valley full of incredible wildlife.

This trail reminded me of hiking in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It didn’t feel like Japan. It felt like a different planet!

How an Advanced Hiker Can Hike to Asama

To begin your advanced Mt. Asama hike, follow the same directions as the beginner route. However, once you reach Mt. Kurofu, continue hiking the ridge line that overlooks Asama. It’s an incredible ridge because, the majority of the time, it is out of the tree line. That means you can see many different vantage points of Asama. Plus, the view of the valley in front of Asama is so amazing. 

The ridge is a bit difficult and has a lot of loose rock. However, it’s not inherently dangerous, just don’t get too distracted by Asama. Make sure to watch your footing. The trail is 6 miles in total. 

Once you have hiked the entire ridge, you will descend into the valley. Although the valley has less impressive views of the Asama, it’s a beautiful trek. A highlight of hiking in the valley is the opportunity to see wildlife.

Once you cut across the valley, you will climb back up to Mt. Kurofu. Although it is not a long stretch, it is challenging and steep. It may take you over an hour to get out of the valley and back to the outer rim. 

What Wildlife Will You Encounter Near Mt. Asama?

I encountered so many Japanese deer that I lost count while I hiked in Asama’s valley. They were very timid and would immediately dart when they heard me. Another interesting animal I found was the Japanese Serow. 

At first, I thought the goat-like animal was a bear because of its dark coat. However, after researching, I realized I saw a Serow, considered a “special natural treasure.” The Serow was once severely threatened, but thanks to conservation efforts, the Serow are plentiful around mountains in Japan. 

Black bears also live in these mountains. It is good practice to make loud noises while hiking to deter bears. However, these bears are fairly timid of people and not known to be aggressive. You can carry bear repellent and read up on bear safety to stay extra safe during your Mt. Asama hike.

What Time of Day Should I Start This Hike?

If you hike to Mt. Kurofu in the morning, your view of Asama will be less impressive than in the afternoon. In the morning, the sun rises behind Asama, so your photos will be backlit, and you won’t be able to see Asama in detail.

However, in the afternoon, Asama is directly covered in the sun. So, your pictures will be crisp, and you will be able to see Asama more clearly.

Of course, hiking Asama is difficult in the afternoon because of the bus schedules. The last bus leaves Takamine at 4:20 p.m. If you want to photograph Asama during golden hour, you probably will have to camp at night on the trail. You can also stay at the Takamine Kogen Hotel. Then, take the bus back the next morning at 10:00 am.

The bus only runs its route two days daily, around 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. 

If you have a car, then you will have less trouble hiking Asama in the afternoon. I strongly recommend hiking later in the day because that is when the views of Asama are so incredible. 

Challenge Yourself and Hike Mt. Asama

Japan is a marvelous country, and hiking is a great way to have an unforgettable solo experience. Since Asama is fairly easy to access, there is no excuse to not hike to one of Japan’s most active volcanoes. 

You must always be extra careful when hiking a sensitive area like an active volcano. However, if you follow the advice of local authorities, you can safely enjoy an immersive view of Mt. Asama.