Mt. Makihata Hiking Guide: The Ido-one Ridge from Sakurazaka, Parking, Access After the Bus Ended, and the Emergency Hut

This guide is based on the Minamiuonuma City Tourism Association (trail status updated September 9, 2026), Niigata Prefecture and Minamiuonuma City, checked October 24, 2026.

Introduction

Mt. Makihata (巻機山) is a 1,967 m mountain on the border between Minamiuonuma in Niigata Prefecture and Gunma Prefecture, and one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. The Minamiuonuma City Tourism Association describes it as known for its many alpine plants and ponds near the summit, the old-growth forest at its foot, and the superb view from the top.

Key points (as of October 24, 2026)

1. The usual route is the Ido-one ridge (井戸尾根) from Sakurazaka parking, rated for intermediate hikers.
2. The Muikamachi–Shimizu bus ended on March 31, 2026. In practice you reach the trailhead by car.
3. Sakurazaka parking holds about 100 cars, ¥500 for a regular car (paid afterwards). Submitting a hiker registration card is required.
4. The unstaffed hut gets crowded, so the association asks you to plan a day hike wherever possible. Camping is prohibited.

Overview

Because the climb from the trailhead is about 1,500 m, the association recommends staying at a minshuku guesthouse in Shimizu and starting early.

The Ido-one ridge route (intermediate)

Order and section times

Shimizu → Sakurazaka → Yakematsu (5th station) → 6th-station viewpoint → Mae-Makihata → hut → summit

Section times from the association: Shimizu–Sakurazaka 40 min; Sakurazaka–Yakematsu 1 h 30 min; Yakematsu–6th-station viewpoint 1 h 10 min; viewpoint–Mae-Makihata 1 h 40 min; Mae-Makihata–hut 10 min; hut–summit 40 min. Niigata Prefecture gives about 4 h 30 min up and 3 h 30 min down from the Ido-one route to Ushigatake.

• After rain, the 2nd to 4th stations are slippery clay mud.
• The hut is very crowded in season; plan a day hike if you can. In winter it can be used if the front entrance is clear of snow (capacity 30, toilet behind the hut).
• There is no campsite near the summit or the hut. Camping is prohibited to protect the vegetation and water source.

Expert routes

• Nukubi-sawa route (advanced): snow patches remain until around August each year, and rescue may be impossible if you are caught in a collapse, so entry is recommended from September onward. Footing is poor in many places and a helmet is advised. Descending this route is prohibited.
• Ura-Makihata route (advanced): the forest road gate is locked at night (17:00–8:00), and an environmental conservation fee (adults ¥500, children ¥300) applies. Check the association's trail status page for the latest conditions.

For a first visit, plan on the Ido-one route.

Access

By car

• About 25 minutes from Shiozawa-Ishiuchi IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway (association)
• Sakurazaka parking: about 100 cars, ¥500 regular / ¥1,000 large vehicles, paid afterwards. The association's Sakurazaka page also lists ¥300 for half a day.
• Hiker registration cards are at the Sakurazaka parking office. Submission is required.

Public transport: the bus has ended

According to Minamiuonuma City, the Muikamachi–Sawaguchi–Shimizu bus ended on March 31, 2026. Since April 1, the city's AI on-demand transport "MOSS" runs fixed-route services in the morning and evening. Check the city's MOSS page for days, times and how to book.

Clothing and gear

• Hiking boots: some sections get slippery
• Rain gear and a warm layer for the high summit area
• Water and snacks; the only water source is the stream near the hut, so carry what you need
• A headlamp, an offline map app, a power bank and a daypack

Tips for first-timers

1. Big elevation gain: about 1,500 m from the trailhead.
2. Slippery after rain: the clay between the 2nd and 4th stations.
3. Crowded hut: a day hike is recommended.
4. Stay off the expert routes: Nukubi-sawa and Ura-Makihata are for experienced hikers.
5. Check access: there is no longer a regular bus.

Summary

Mt. Makihata is a demanding Hyakumeizan with about 1,500 m of climbing. The basic plan is to drive to Sakurazaka parking and do the Ido-one ridge as a day hike. Check the end of the bus service, the crowded hut and the expert-route warnings before you go.

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References

• Mt. Makihata | Minamiuonuma City Tourism Association (updated September 9, 2026)
• Sakurazaka parking | Minamiuonuma City Tourism Association
• Mt. Makihata | Niigata Prefecture
• End of the Muikamachi–Sawaguchi–Shimizu bus (PDF) | Minami-Echigo Kanko Bus
• Route buses | Minamiuonuma City