Solo Hiking One of the Most Dangerous Hikes in Japan

This summer, I hiked one of the most dangerous technical hiking routes in Japan.
Yari-Hotaka Circuit is a classic route that introduces two well-known mountains in Japan ( Mount Okuhotaka ) and (Mount Yari), this route also gives access to almost half of the 3000-meter mountain peaks in the country and a chance to challenge the infamous Daikiretto.
Beware: This is a strenuous hike that requires fitness and focus. The traverse from Yarigatake to Okuhotaka via Daikiretto requires using your hands for balance and pulling yourself up on steep, exposed terrain. If you're not feeling well, have fear of heights, or if the weather is terrible, consider taking alternate routes.
ITINERARY:
Day 0: Shinjuku Bus Terminal South Exit - Kamikochi ( 6 hours BUS ride )
Day 1: Kamikochi - Tokusawa-en - Yokoo - Yarigatakesanso ( 9 hours hike )
Day 2: Yarigatakesanso - Yarigatake - Minamidake - Hasegawa Peak ( H peak or H ピーク ) - Kitahotakagoya - Kitahotaka ( 7 hours of technical hiking )
Day 3: Kitahotakagoya - Karawasadake - Hotakasanso - Okuhotaka - Maehotoka - Dakesawa - Kamikochi ( 10 hours of technical hiking down to Kamikochi )
SOCIAL MEDIA:
If you would like to know more about hiking in Japan. Visit me here! If you have some questions don’t hesitate to ask me. DM is the key!
Instagram: / hikenshoot
Twitter: / hikeenshoot
YAMAP: yamap.com/
YAMAP account: yamap.com/users/1652458
#hiking #yarihotaka #japan
0:00 | INTRO
0:42 | Day 0
1:32 | Day 1 Kamikochi - Yarigatakesanso
3:19 | Day 2 Yarigatake
5:23 | Day 2 Daikiretto Experience
9:35 | Day 2 Towards Kitahotaka
11:43 | Day 3 Kitahotaka to Okuhotaka
14:35 | Day 3 Okuhotaka to Dakesawa
16:04 | My thoughts
#yarihotaka #yarigatake #hikinginjapan #daikiretto #大キレット #hiking #climbing #technical #kamikochi #kamikochijapan #vlog #hikingvlog #filipinoyoutuber #filipinovlogger #hiker #hikingadventures #kitaalps #alps #japanalps #japanesemountains #okuhotaka #kitahotaka #hotaka #hasegawapeak

[@hikENShootJapan]

check out how to do the whole Yari-Hotaka-Circuit here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4TWh3Slh6qWoZI

[@yokehuku1]

このコース今度行きたいと思います。素晴らしい動画をありがとう！

[@hikENShootJapan]

ども！！ぜひ！とっても楽しいですよ！😊

[@exoplace]

How does this have so little views, youtube alg i guess, awesome video!

[@hikENShootJapan]

haha could be but it’s alright as long as it’s reaching the target audience and helps as many hikers as possible.

[@amiexxi3441]

I fell in love with the view😍 demo yabai sugiru😱😰 omedetou👏💪

[@hikENShootJapan]

Thank you very much!! Yep the views are amazing up there. No risk no reward!

[@hikesome]

Wow, what an adventure! Beautiful, challenging, and adventourous. Nice upload brother.

[@hikENShootJapan]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching. Sorry I replied late. 😅 Hopefully you could visit Japan some day and hike some. 😊

[@hikewecare6749]

Well done and beautiful photos. Congrats and thank you.

[@hikENShootJapan]

Many thanks! 🎉❤

[@ervinslens]

What a scenery bud, this looks insanely gorgeous!

[@hikENShootJapan]

Yeah!! Thank you!!! It was fantastic for sure.

[@ssirin]

In October 2019 I hiked up to spend the night at Karasawa Cirque and had a loose plan to either hike up Hotakadake or Kitahotaka the next day. I eventually decided to hike up Kitaho in the morning just because the entrance to the route was behind Karasawa Goya. One hour in and I knew I wasn't prepared for it. I had no helmet and I knew I couldn't scramble up the many exposed rock faces with my 12 kg pack. Finally I gave up, walked down to Yokoo and hiked up Chogatake instead. It was 4 hours of pure steep ascent and I only discovered later other people usually prefer using this route for descent since the ascent from Tokusawa is much gentler. 🤣Anyway, the night at Chogatake gave me a panoramic view of all the mountain huts on the Hotaka range including Yari. This September I'm planning to go back to Kamikochi and hike up Yari although I probably won't do the Daikiretto yet. Your video really gives me encouragement that I may someday tackle it though. Many thanks for the inspiration!

[@hikENShootJapan]

Wow! Thank you so much. In time I believe you’ll be able to do it. Btw, since you’ve already hiked chogatake. Please also try the Panorama Ginza and hike up Mount Jonen. It is one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan. The whole course should take 4 days.

[@kld91925]

💪💪 Great Vids. Stay strong and safe 👍

[@hikENShootJapan]

Thank you very much! Let do this together someday!

[@jejuenglish9683]

Awesome! did this circuit via the daikiretto a month ago under terrible weather conditions. it was rainy for 3 days straight. no views at all. fog was so thick, extremely windy and we were completely drenched on our final stretch. we had to hike from yarigatake straight to dakesawa in one day. normally, climbers rest and stay for the night in okuhotaka hut or set up camp but we had to keep pushing before another downpour. This is totally doable, and is actually considered non-technical (with chains and ladders). as long as you are confident enough with your footing and do not have fear of heights. Japanese people tend to be overly safety conscious so you can take it down a notch when they say...it's VERY dangerous. Many people want to hike these mountains but are easily put off by what they see online especially from sources that exaggerate it. idk, i guess that's just me. i hope more people will just go for it.

[@hikENShootJapan]

hahaha true!! there was this lady from new zealand who asked me some question about this specific trail. Ofcourse I gave her all the info she needed and was ready to go but then the people in the hut, that she was going stay at, told her it’s too dangerous for her to go alone. But she went anyways and did it! 😂 This is a nice take! Thank you so much! I’m planning to do it again to really see how dangerous and tricky this route is.

[@jejuenglish9683]

too bad we had the same experience. the only reason why we had to stay for a night in yarigatake hut was because the staff convinced us to lodge there for the night. they were quite pissed that we were headed to okuhotakadake on a bad weather. a number of them literally huddled over us and convinced us to stay in the hut because it was TOO DANGEROUS. in the end, we had to change our plans. in retrospect, we shouldve just went on with our plan. What a bummer! same here. i am gon do it again in fall. but will start from shinhotaka and through Gendarme to okuhotakadake then exit through kamikochi. i was told by some japanese climbers that gendarme is tougher than daikiretto. ha! happy climbing! @@hikENShootJapan

[@hikENShootJapan]

@@jejuenglish9683 Thank you!! You’ll definitely enjoy Gendarme!! Have safe trip

[@erickbautista0]

congratulations! i really want to go and climb at least one of the mountains in kamikochi. i guess next year because the climbing season is now ending. thank you for this wonderful video.

[@hikENShootJapan]

Hi!! Do you happen to live in Japan?? It’s still the climbing season. Kamikochi is beautiful in Autumn. The best time to climb mountains around Kamikochi is during this time. Anyways, I wish you could get the chance to explore it.

[@jtheo24]

start till end both my hands and feet are sweating lol.. very nice view indeed.. ayos kaayo bai!

[@hikENShootJapan]

Oi Theodoreeee! haha salamat bai! if ever mulaag ka diri give me a call.

[@cyvoc2316]

Hey. Great video! What kind of jacket did you use (the brown rain jacket)? Is it Montbell? Do you have a link? And can you recommend it?

[@hikENShootJapan]

Hi! Yes, it is from Montbell. I think it’s called storm cruiser. en.montbell.jp/products/goods/disp.php?product_id=1128615 here is the link. Please check! Thank you for watching.

[@AlainStewart]

Thanks so much for putting this video together. It's just the info I need. Planning to do this trip in May next year.

[@hikENShootJapan]

Hi!!! no worries man. Thank you for watching. Although, May might be tricky coz of ice and snow. You’ll need crampons and ice axe. I would suggest climbing in July - October. I hope this helps.

[@user-zu2tn4zk8r]

Hi! Can you tell me how long it would take to move from yarigatake sanso to kitagotaka sanso??

[@hikENShootJapan]

It should take 4 hours at least. But it’s best to take it slow and enjoy the adventure hehe…

[@4o0l63]

Amazing video and very insightful, including the uncut versions of the daikiretto! Can i ask if you would recommend the route the other way round? from Kamikochi, Dakesawa to Okuhotaka to Yarigatake? coz i was planning to head towards Tsubakuro then exit via the Nakabusa hot spring

[@hikENShootJapan]

Woah!! That’s an intense hike! Are you pitching a tent or using mountain huts? If you are using mountains huts that would be possible. The route to Dakesawa going to Okuhotata is quite steep and very long that’s for Day 1. For day 2 You’ll do a lot of Technical climbing being light is a must. Traversing Daikiretto is fun but very dangerous if you are carrying a heavy load. After Yarigatake it would be a walk in the park considering what you’ve been through.

[@4o0l63]

@@hikENShootJapan Thanks very much for the prompt response. It's just an idea at the moment.. but judging from your video, am having second thoughts. Indeed planning to use the mountain huts with little load. But my problem is I only reach kamikochi in the afternoon. Hence concerned about the timing of everything. How long would u think it took for the traverse across the daikiretto?

[@hikENShootJapan]

@@4o0l63 From Yarigatake - Daikiretto - Kitahotaka took me over 5 hours I started very early coz I had to go up yarigatake. For the bus, you can take a night bus from Shinjuku directly to Kamikochi so that you could start very early.

[@jamimartin381]

Wow!!!

[@hikENShootJapan]

thank you 🙏!

[@angelvsevilcrew]

I'm really interested in doing this multi day hike. About the mountain hut, do we need to book earlier or just walk in during the hike? I'll be solo hiking in late august/ early september.

[@hikENShootJapan]

I strongly recommend booking earlier for a smoother process and relaxing stay. Although they won’t turn you down if you walked in, they’ll prioritize those who booked earlier. So if it’s the peak season, the chances that you’ll have to wait until all the reserved guests check in before they accommodate you, is pretty high.

[@rinnarainn]

Hi :) That's amazing 😍 I want to do it! Dis you stay at the mountain huts for both nights ? Is it manageable to sleep in a tent ? Is there a camping site near huts ?

[@hikENShootJapan]

Hi!!! Yes, this route is truly beautiful. I stayed at the huts for both nights. It is possible to do it with tents. But it will be quite heavy in my opinion. For kitahotakagoya, I don’t think you can pitch a tent near the hut. I believe you have to get down a little bit to pitch your tent. For the first night in Yarigatakesanso, there’s a designated camping site there. Very convenient! I hope this helps. Thanks btw!

[@Wenhao3]

Great video! I have some questions! Which time of the year did you do this trip? I’m planning to do this hike in mid June with 3 other friends. I’m wondering if I will need crampons and/or ice axe? Would you think bringing a harness is an overkill? Thanks!

[@hikENShootJapan]

Hi! Thanks 🙏. I did this hike in Summer time from July to August. In June, some parts of the route will still have some snow and ice left. I suggest checking the live camera of Kamikochi before doing the hike. Bringing some crampons and ice axe would add a lot of weight though. Lastly for the harness, it is always a good idea to have one so that you could clip to some of the dangerous sections. It’s doable with out a harness in summer but I’m not sure in icy conditions. Are you guys going to do the whole Yari-Hotaka route? 😊

[@Wenhao3]

@@hikENShootJapan Yeap I’m playing to do the yari-hotaka circuit! Looks like an axe is a overkill at this point. Probably some micro spikes and harness will do the trick. Will monitor the situation as the snow melts! Thanks a lot :)

[@hikENShootJapan]

@@Wenhao3 No worries. Just be careful and have a safe trip. Let me know if you have more questions. 👊

[@FirstStep2023]

Maayu kaayu story telling nimo bai. Next goal nako diri sa Japan. I just need to finish my marathon goal before moving to mountain hiking.

[@hikENShootJapan]

Thanks kaau bai!! hehe… Good luck sa Marathon. If may pangutana ka about mountains, I’ll help u hehe.

[@FirstStep2023]

@@hikENShootJapan naa kay vlog or blog regarding tools and gears for hikers?

[@hikENShootJapan]

@@FirstStep2023 wala pa raba bro. Planning palang for now hiking guides plang akong content. Hopefully in the future. I’ll let you know.

[@FirstStep2023]

@@hikENShootJapan Alright, thanks bai. I will wait and for the meantime I will check your other vids.

[@joicegallardo2587]

What month is this?

[@hikENShootJapan]

hi!!! it’s in August! summer. Are you going to try it?