Mt Yokote

Mt Yokote (Japanese: 横手山) stands at the high, windswept heart of Shiga Kōgen, a volcanic plateau in northern Nagano known for its interconnected ski fields, alpine wetlands and broad, open ridges. It is one of the most accessible high peaks in the region, shaped by old lava domes and softened by centuries of erosion. The whole area is subject to massive amounts of snowfall in winter.

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Topographically, Yokote is a classic Shiga Kōgen summit, a rounded volcanic high point rising above a network of ridges and basins. The slopes are gentle and forested, and the upper reaches open into wide, grassy clearings. From the summit, the views stretch to Kusatsu–Shirane (草津白根山) in the east, the long ridges of Joshin’etsu Kōgen National Park in the north and the distant North Alps. Because Yokote stands slightly apart from the main ski valleys, its summit feels like a natural lookout over the entire highland world.

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The hike from Shibu Pass is the most common approach, and is the one I selected. Starting at one of the highest road passes in Japan, the trail begins already in cool, high-elevation forest and climbs gently along a well‑maintained path. The ascent is short but atmospheric, including patches of old volcanic rock appearing along the ridge, and sudden openings where the plateau spreads out below in a mosaic of wetlands and ponds. As the trail reaches the upper dome of Mt Yokote, the landscape becomes fully open. This is one of the easiest hikes in the high volcanic terrain of Shiga Kōgen, yet it offers views and atmosphere worthy of a far more remote peak. 

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