Akadake

Akadake is a great winter hike.Some of the trails get
enough travel as to be well packed and snowshoes are
usually not necessary. There are at least two good mountain
huts open all year and the buses run to the trailhead all year
as well.

Yatsugadake is a great destination that is close to Tokyo and easy to get to. You can either driver or
take public transportation. If you can get three or four people to go, then driving becomes very cost
effective and the roads here are very straight forward and there are a lot of great scenic drives and
interesting roadside attractions.

For summer hiking you have many options including a traverse starting on one side of the mountain
and ending on the other. For the winter I would stick with the trailhead at Minotoguchi.

You can get bus schedules from Chino station to Minotoguchi here

Akadake is one of eight peaks collectively known as Yastugadake that make up the eroded skeleton
of an ancient Fuji-type volcano. Yatsugadake (2900 meters) stands separate from other tall peaks
and mountain chains and dominates the local skyline. It is surrounded by a broad skirt of farmlands
that support dairy farms, vineyards, and resort communities such as the charming town of Kiyosato
where visitors come to hike, visit farms, and eat fresh soft cream.

The mountain is located in the Yatsugadake quasi-national park and has numerous hiking routes
converging on the summits from all sides and abundant public transportation to hiking destinations
even in the winter.