Mt Shiomi

Mt Shiomi (Japanese: 塩見岳)  is one of the great peaks of the South Alps, a hyakumeizan* mountain that demands strength, stamina and a willingness to commit to at least a couple of days in rugged terrain. From the Torikura trailhead the approach is famously tough with hours of steady climbing through deep forest and up rickety wooden steps, followed by a relentless push into the high alpine zone. Even strong hikers quickly realise why many people stay at Sanpuku Tōge mountain hut. The distance and elevation gain make a one‑day ascent impractical for most hikers, and the hut, perched on the saddle between ridges, becomes a natural staging point for the final climb. Some hikers, however, do include Shiomi as part of a long traverse through the South Alps.

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From the hut, the route goes through more deep forest with glimpses of the peak ahead. When you finally approach the summit and pass the second mountain hut at the start of the final ascent, however, you find Shiomi’s upper slopes to be rocky and exposed, with careful footing needed. The rugged summit area feels raw and weather‑worn, a place where the rock has fractured under years of freeze and thaw. 

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The reward for all this effort is unmistakable. The summit of Mt Shiomi offers sweeping views across the central spine of the South Alps. You can see Mt Fuji (富士山) and Mt Kita (北岳) and other peaks rising in serrated layers in what I believe to be one of Japan’s most powerful mountain landscapes. It’s a peak that asks a lot from those who climb it, but gives back in equal measure: solitude, rugged beauty and the satisfaction of reaching one of the most remote points of Honshu.

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* 100 famous mountains of Japan

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(All information here is based on personal observations and experiences. Check official sources before planning or starting any hikes.)