Mt. Naeba Hiking Guide: Haraigawa vs. Koakazawa Trailheads, the Summit Hut, and Snow Season

Based on Yuzawa Town, the Sakae Village Akiyamago tourism association, Niigata Prefecture, and the Shin-etsu Trail, checked October 24, 2026. The summit hut closed for 2026 on October 18. First snow usually comes around early October, so from now on expect ice and snow.

Overview

Mt. Naeba (2,145 m) sits where Yuzawa and Tsunan towns in Niigata meet Sakae Village in Nagano, and is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan. Instead of a pointed peak, the top is a broad raised bog dotted with small ponds.

In its October 1, 2026 update, Yuzawa Town warned that autumn colors had begun on high peaks such as Naeba, that temperatures near the summit can drop sharply even on warm days, and that hikers should be down before sunset because getting lost and falling become much more likely after dark.

Comparing the Two Main Trailheads

Haraigawa Course (Yuzawa Side)

The easiest trailhead to reach by car from the Tokyo area.

• Yuzawa Town reports that the Haraigawa trailhead parking (about 150 cars) and toilets are open and the trail is passable (update of October 1, 2026).
• Niigata Prefecture's grading gives the round trip from Haraigawa parking as 6.7 hours of course time, 12.2 km, and 1,220 m up and down, rated fitness 3, technical B (snow-free, good weather). With breaks and photos, allow 7 to 9 hours.
• The Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen tourism association describes the route: from Wada-goya past Shimo-no-shiba, Naka-no-shiba, and Kami-no-shiba to Kaguragamine, then a big drop to a saddle with the Kaminari-shimizu spring, where you can refill, before climbing back up to the summit plateau of countless ponds.
• Parking enquiries go to Mitsumata Station (tel. 025-788-9221). Yuzawa Town notes the parking fee changed from fiscal 2023 but does not list the amount; check on site or ask.

Koakazawa 3rd-Station Course (Akiyamago Side)

The trailhead closest to the summit.

• The Niigata tourism site lists about 3.5 hours from the Koakazawa trailhead to the summit (intermediate), with 100 free parking spaces. It is about 100 minutes by car from Shiozawa-Ishiuchi IC or Echigo-Kawaguchi IC on the Kan-etsu Expressway.
• The Shin-etsu Trail says the 3rd-station trailhead has a large parking area and toilets and can be crowded on weekends from July to September. Between the 3rd station and the summit the trail is steep with chains in places; from the 6th to the 9th station it is steep, slippery rock. From the 8th station up it crosses the high marsh.
• The Shin-etsu Trail gives Koakazawa village to the summit as 8.5 km and about 5 to 6 hours (from the village, not the 3rd station).

Other Routes

• Akayu: Yuzawa Town says the road to Akayu is open (October 1, 2026), but the steep slope just before Akayu Onsen Yamaguchi-kan has exposed rock and is hard going, especially downhill. The Shin-etsu Trail rates the route from the Motohashi trailhead via Akayu Onsen as advanced, with many chains and few hikers.
• Tashiro route: closed in 2020 and abandoned, according to Yuzawa Town. Do not use it.

The Summit Hut and Camping

The Naeba summit hut (Naebasan Shizen Taiken Koryu Center) was open from June 1 to October 18, 2026, by reservation only, according to the Sakae Village Akiyamago tourism association.

• Reservations are by phone only (080-7183-4024, 8:00–18:00), not by voicemail, social media, or email
• When booking you give the lead guest's name, phone number, group size, meals, and which trailhead and route you will use
• It has flush toilets with a septic system
• Naeba is in Joshin'etsu Kogen National Park and has no campsite: pitching a tent is completely prohibited

We could not confirm overnight prices on an official site.

Season and Weather

• According to the Shin-etsu Trail, first snow around Naeba usually falls in early October, and the last snow melts around early July
• The Niigata tourism site gives the hiking season from Koakazawa as early June to November
• Near the summit you are above 2,000 m; treat it as a real mountain hike and prepare accordingly

From mid-October on, plan for ice, early snow, and short days. Always carry a headlamp and warm layers.

What to Wear and Bring

• Quick-dry base layer, long-sleeve layer, and an insulating layer (light fleece or synthetic fill)
• Two-piece rain gear, hat, and gloves
• Boots with good grip for mud, wet boardwalks, and rock
• Backpack, water, snacks, headlamp, map app and a backup map
• Power bank, first-aid kit, portable toilet
• From autumn, consider chain spikes or light crampons

Climbing Plan

Yuzawa Town asks hikers to submit a climbing plan (a PDF form for snow-free hiking is available), or you can file one online through the Compass service (not every route is registered).

Key Cautions

1. The Haraigawa course has a tiring re-ascent: you drop from Kaguragamine and climb back to the summit, and do the same on the way back
2. Koakazawa is shorter but not easy: steep rock and chains, slippery after rain
3. Stay on the boardwalk: the raised bog takes a very long time to recover once trampled
4. Be down before sunset, as Yuzawa Town urges
5. Traversing Koakazawa – summit – Haraigawa in one day is hard: the Shin-etsu Trail recommends a night at the summit hut

Summary

• Main trailheads: Haraigawa (fitness 3, technical B, 6.7 h round-trip course time) and Koakazawa 3rd station (about 3.5 h up)
• The summit hut ran June 1 – October 18 in 2026, by phone reservation; camping is banned
• First snow usually falls in early October; finish before sunset and carry warm layers and a light
• Haraigawa parking fees and hut prices are not published on official sites; ask before you go

See also: 22 Hyakumeizan day hikes from Tokyo · Japan hiking rules: the basics · Bear safety in Japan

References

• Yuzawa Town — Hiking information (Japanese)
• Sakae Village Akiyamago tourism association — Naeba summit hut (Japanese)
• Shin-etsu Trail — Section 10, Koakazawa to the summit of Mt. Naeba
• Niigata tourism navi — Mt. Naeba, Koakazawa / Oakazawa trailheads (Japanese)
• Niigata Prefecture — Mountain grading (Japanese)
• Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen tourism association — Haraigawa course (Japanese)