【Departing from Todai Park】Advance Ticket Purchase for the Minami-Alps Mountain Bus to Kitazawa Pass and the 2026 Operational Status

At the newly unveiled "Yogoda Stay & Retreat," we are pleased to announce that we have officially launched an advance ticketing service for the Minami-Alps Mountain Bus running between Todai Park and Kitazawa Pass, specifically tailored for those venturing into the Southern Alps.

When booking your accommodation through our official site, you can now purchase your bus tickets in advance as an optional feature (1,150 yen per one-way ticket). For those desiring a round-trip, please select two tickets. Your tickets will be seamlessly handed to you at our facility prior to your checkout.

For everyone anchoring their journey at Hase, Senryuso, or Todai Park and projecting an ascent to Mt. Senjo or Mt. Kai-Koma (Mt. Higashi-Koma), we have compiled an essential digest of the current routes and this year’s bus operational status.

Two Gateways to the Southern Alps

Presently, there are two primary methods to ascend toward the sacred summits from the valley of Hase:

1. The Kashiwagi Trailhead Route

This is an unmediated route where you begin your ascent directly from the foot of the mountain. The trailhead features a minimal parking space for approximately 12 vehicles. Due to the immense elevation gain and the prolonged duration of the trek, this path demands absolute physical stamina and rigorous gear—ideal exclusively for highly experienced, seasoned mountaineers.

2. The Mountain Bus Route via Todai Park (Standard Route)

This represents the highly popular, general route where you board the mountain bus from the newly integrated "Todai Park" (opened in 2025) to ascend smoothly to Kitazawa Pass, located at the mountain's mid-station. Because it drastically lowers the physical threshold compared to climbing directly from the base, this remains the primary route embraced by the vast majority of hikers each year.

The 2026 Bus Schedule & The Wisdom of "Weekday Mountaineering"

Commencing from this 2026 season, the early-morning bus operational schedule has undergone significant evolution. Most notably, during the high season, early-morning departures will be fully active even on weekdays.

【High Season: July 10 – October 12】

• Daily Operation: First departure from Todai Park at 5:45 / Final return from Kitazawa Pass at 16:00

【Shoulder Seasons: April 25 – July 5 / October 13 – November 3】 (Please note: In autumn, the schedule diverges between weekends/holidays starting Oct 17 and weekdays starting Oct 13)

• Weekends & Holidays: First departure from Todai Park at 6:30 / Final return from Kitazawa Pass at 16:00

• Weekdays: First departure from Todai Park at 8:05 / Final return from Kitazawa Pass at 16:00

▼ Please consult the official operational calendar for the comprehensive and detailed timetable: [Minami-Alps Mountain Bus 2026 Operational Calendar]

Historically, mountaineers heavily congested weekends and holidays in pursuit of an early-morning start to secure ample time on the peaks. However, this year, as long as it falls within the high season, the early-morning bus departs at the exact same hour on weekdays. The bus operations management has explicitly conveyed to us that "weekday mountaineering is highly recommended this year." To bypass the friction of the crowds and fully immerse yourself in the mountains at your own natural pace, we strongly encourage you to consider a weekday ascent.

The Power of Advance Purchase and Critical Advisory on Boarding Lines

In past seasons, a massive, grinding queue would form as early as 4:00 AM with travelers seeking to purchase bus tickets. By securing your tickets in advance through our sanctuary, you can completely bypass this purchase line, preserving your vital energy and setting out with profound peace of mind.

【※ Crucial Warning Regarding the Boarding Queue】 Please be advised that on-site, completely independent of the ticket purchase line, there exists a second, separate queue: "The Line to Secure Your Boarding Sequence." It is a common phenomenon for hikers to physically leave their backpacks or gear on the pavement to mark and secure their spot in this boarding line.

Even when purchasing your tickets in advance through our facility, you may still choose to utilize this system to secure your desired bus departure time. However, we must explicitly state that incidents of lost property and interpersonal friction regarding this "unattended gear placement" occur annually. Should you choose to place your gear in the queue overnight or in the early hours of the dawn, Yogoda Stay & Retreat cannot assume any responsibility or liability for the management, safety, or loss of your belongings. We kindly ask for your understanding.

Yogoda Stay & Retreat stands fully prepared to support you, ensuring your journey into the Southern Alps is both safe, aligned, and deeply enriching. Should you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.