This paper describes the distribution and trends of dikes in the Yatsugatake volcanic chain, central Japan. Total number of dikes is 213. Among them 121 are in the northern area and 92 are in the southern area. They are composed of andesite and basalt. In the northernmost part of the northern area, the predominant strike of 84 dikes is NW-SE, in agreement with the topographic elongation of some Younger lava cones. In the southern area, dikes show radial patterns, although N-S trending dikes are conspicuous in the central part of the area, and volcanic necks are arranged in the N-S direction. The whole dike trend is consistent with the arrangement of eruptive centers in the volcanic chain. Dike trends, arrangement of conduits and topographic elongation of some Younger lava cones suggest that the maximum horizontal compressional stress axis is NW-SE in the northern area, and N-S in the southern area.
