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Mt. Kirigamine (Kurumayama) Hiking Guide: 2026 Chairlift Schedule & Fares, Yashimagahara Marsh Boardwalk & Venus Line Access
Official guide to hiking Mt. Kirigamine (Kurumayama, 1,925 m) in Nagano Prefecture: 2026 Kurumayama Kogen chairlift dates and fares, Yashimagahara Marsh boardwalk parking, and seasonal winter road closures on the Venus Line.
Information checked October 24, 2026. Chairlift schedules, fares, parking, and road closure information in this guide are verified against official publications from Kurumayama Kogen SKYPARK RESORT, Suwa Tourism Association, and the official Venus Line portal.
Overview
Mt. Kirigamine (霧ヶ峰) is a broad volcanic highland in the Suwa and Chino area of Nagano Prefecture. Its highest point, Kurumayama (車山, 1,925 m), is one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains (Nihon Hyakumeizan). Because the scenic Venus Line highway runs right across the plateau and the Kurumayama Kogen sightseeing chairlifts carry visitors directly to the summit, it is one of the most accessible high-altitude plateaus in central Japan, often paired with a boardwalk stroll around Yashimagahara Marsh (八島ヶ原湿原).
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Highest Peak | Kurumayama (1,925 m) |
| Location | Chino City, Suwa City, and Shimosuwa Town, Nagano Prefecture |
| Main Trailheads / Parking | Kurumayama-kata, Yashimagahara Marsh, Kurumayama Kogen (Chairlift) |
| Sightseeing Chairlift | ~25 min one way to the summit via two connecting lifts (~50 min round trip) |
1. Kurumayama Sightseeing Chairlift (2026 Green Season)
According to the official Kurumayama Kogen SKYPARK RESORT green-season schedule:
- 2026 Operating Dates: April 24 – November 3, 2026, plus November 21 – 23, 2026
- Operating Hours: Opens at 9:00 AM on regular days (8:30 AM during peak summer dates July 18–20 and August 8–16); last uphill boarding at 16:00, last downhill boarding at 16:30
- Summit Round-Trip Fares (2 lifts combined):
- Adults (junior high school & older): ¥2,500
- Elementary school children: ¥1,700
- Preschool children (ages 3+): ¥900
- Pets (up to 15 kg): ¥500
- Ride Time: Approximately 25 minutes one way to the summit across two connecting chairlifts
Lifts may suspend operation during strong winds or lightning. Always check the resort's daily operating status page before setting out.
2. Ways to Explore Kirigamine
Because local municipal pages do not publish a single standardized walking timetable across all plateau paths, plan your route around three main entry points:
- By Chairlift to the Summit: Ride the two Kurumayama Kogen chairlifts (~25 minutes each way) to reach the 1,925 m summit observation deck and shrine with minimal walking.
- Walking from Kurumayama-kata (車山肩): Hike from the Kurumayama-kata parking area along the open ridge trail to the summit of Kurumayama.
- Yashimagahara Marsh Boardwalk (八島ヶ原湿原): A high-altitude raised bog with a wooden boardwalk circuit suited to nature observation.
3. Highlights
Yashimagahara Marsh
A protected high-altitude wetland encircled by a maintained wooden boardwalk. Stay strictly on the boardwalk at all times to protect the fragile bog vegetation.
Autumn Grasslands
In autumn, the open grasslands across Kirigamine turn amber and gold with sweeping views toward the Japanese Alps, Yatsugatake, and Mt. Fuji on clear days.
4. Road Access, Winter Closure, and Parking
Seasonal Winter Closure on the Venus Line
During winter, the section of the Venus Line beyond the Yashimagahara Marsh Parking Lot toward Utsukushigahara is closed to all traffic. For the 2025–2026 winter season, Suwa Tourism Association announced the closure from November 19, 2025 (11:00 AM) to April 21, 2026 (11:00 AM). Check Suwa Tourism Association and Nagano Prefecture road advisories for the upcoming winter closure dates, and watch for early frost and snow even in late October and November.
Parking
- Yashimagahara Marsh Parking Lot (八島湿原駐車場): Free, open 24 hours, approximately 100 standard car spaces (plus 9 large-bus spaces and flushing restrooms, per the official Venus Line guide).
- Kurumayama-kata Parking Lot: Fills early on summer and autumn weekends; arrive with time to spare.
5. Safety Notes
- Wind, fog, and cold: With no tree cover on the open plateau, wind and fog rapidly chill the body even in summer. Always carry rainwear and an insulating layer (Layering Guide).
- Lightning: There is no shelter along the open ridge—descend immediately if thunderclouds develop.
- Stay on boardwalks: Never step off the wooden boardwalks in Yashimagahara Marsh.