Mt. Shirouma (白馬岳)

Daisekkei

Introduction

Mt. Shirouma (or Mt. Hakuba, 白馬岳) is a popular mountain in Kita Alps (Hida Mountains) area. The name “Shirouma” means “white horse”. The mountain locates near global ski resort : Hakuba where Olympic was held in 1998.

During the winter, mountains are covered with deep snow. The snow remains until summer, resulting in a beautiful mountain landscape and abundant flora.

Mountain Data

Mt. Shirouma (白馬岳)

  • Elevation : 2932 m
  • Location : Nagano Pref. (長野県)/ Toyama Pref. (富山県)
  • Belongs to Kita Alps (北アルプス, Alias : Northern Alps, Hida Mountains)
  • Belongs to Chubu-sangaku National Park (中部山岳国立公園)
  • Non-volcanic
  • One of the “100 Famous Japanese Mountains”
Mt. Shirouma from Korenge
Mt. Shirouma (Right) from Korenge

Map

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Example Plan

Day 1Tokyo – Nagano St. – Hakuba St. – Sarukura B.T.
(Transport by train and bus)
東京 – 長野駅 – 白馬駅 – 猿倉バス停
4 hours
Sarukura B.T. – Hakuba-jiri Goya
猿倉バス停 – 白馬尻小屋
1 hour
Day 2Hakuba-jiri – Daisekkei – Chojo Shukusha
白馬尻 – 大雪渓 – 頂上宿舎
5 hours
Day 3Chojo-shukusha – Mt.Shirouma – Hakuba-oike Sanso – Tsugaike Wetland
頂上宿舎 – 白馬岳 – 白馬大池山荘 – 栂池自然園
6 hours
Tsugaike Wetland – Tsugaike-kogen Bus Terminal
(Using ropeway)
栂池自然園 – 栂池高原バスターミナル
0.5 hours
Tsugaike-kogen – Nagano St. – Tokyo
(Transport by train and bus)
栂池高原 – 長野駅 – 東京
4 hours

Course Guide

Sarukura (猿倉) – Hakuba-jiri Goya (白馬尻小屋)

Most of this section is a flat gravel road. It takes about 1 hour to get to Hakuba-jiri Goya Hut and campsite.

Hakuba-jiri Goya
Hakuba-jiri Goya

Hakuba-jiri Goya (白馬尻小屋) – Daisekkei (大雪渓) – Chojo Shukusha (頂上宿舎)

Climb the slope with an altitude difference of 1200 m. About half of the trail is covered with year-around snow called Daisekkei(大雪渓), so you must walk on the snow even in summer. On Daisekkei, the view is great, but there is also dangerous. Be careful of falling rocks and slipping. Falling rocks may not make any sound on the snow so watch ahead carefully. You must wear crampons to prevent slipping.

Daisekkei
Daisekkei

After passing Daisekkei, there is a field of flowers. You can find many kinds of flowers.

Colorful Flowers
Colorful Flowers

After 5 hours walk from Hakuba-jiri, there is a mountain hut : “Chojo Shukusha” at the ridge. From here, the summit is right there. If you have time, why not go?

Mt. Shirouma and Campsite
Mt. Shirouma and Campsite

Chojo-shukusha (頂上宿舎) – Mt. Shirouma (白馬岳)

From Chojo Shukusha, about 30 minute walk lead to the summit. At the summit, you can see Tateyama mountains (立山連峰) and other Kita Alps mountains in southeast.

View from Mt. Shirouma
View from Mt. Shirouma

Mt. Shirouma (白馬岳) – Hakuba-oike (白馬大池)

This section is a 2400-2900m ridge-line trail with nice view. The ridge is covered with gravel and sand. There are no tall trees due to high altitude and severe climate.

There is not dangerous places, but be careful not to get lost especially in bad weather.

Trail to Mt.Korenge
Trail to Mt.Korenge

Hakuba-oike is a small and transparent lake. There is a mountain hut and campsite on the lake shore.

Hakuba-oike
Hakuba-oike

Hakuba-oike (白馬大池) – Tsugaike Wetland (栂池自然園)

The trail after Hakuba-oike is almost downhill except for Mt. Norikura (乗鞍岳). Mt. Norikura is a gentle mountain like a hill. The best spot for lunch.

Mt. Norikura
Mt. Norikura

The section between Mt. Norikura and Tsugaike is a coniferous forest. There are two wetlands : Tenguppara (天狗原) and Tsugaike (栂池) . Tsugaike wetland, the end point of this trekking course, is a popular place for day hikers. A lot of flowers bloom in summer.

From Tsugaike wetland, you can use two rope-ways to go to Tsugaike-kogen (栂池高原) bus terminal.

Tsugaike Wetland
Tsugaike Wetland

Season

Best season is Middle July – Early September.

Jan. – Mar.Heavy snow and blizzard
Apr. – Early JulyCovered with deep snow
Mid July – Early Sep.Sunny and warm, Many flowers
Mid Sep – Early Oct.Cold and sometimes snow, Autumn leaves
Mid Oct. – Dec.Snow fall

Accommodations

Day 1 : Hakuba-jiri Goya hut and campsite
Day 2 : Chojo Shukusha lodge and campsite

For details, check this page : Shirouma Mountains Area Huts Information

Access

From Tokyo to Nagano

JR Hokuriku Shinkansen. About 1.5 hours.

From Nagoya to Nagano

JR Wide-view Shinano Express (特急しなの). About 3 hours.

From Nagano to trail-heads

Nagano St. – JR Hakuba St. or Tsugaike-Kogen B.T.
ALPICO bus bound for Tsugaike-kogen (栂池高原) or for Hakuba-Norikura (白馬乗鞍). About 1.5 hours.

JR Hakuba St. – Sarukura B.T.
ALPICO bus bound for Sarukura. About 30 minutes.

For details, check ALPICO bus website – Hakuba Area.

Mt. Okuhotaka (奥穂高岳)

Mt. Okuhotaka from Kappabashi Bridge

Kamikochi – Yokoo – Karasawa – Mt.Okuhotaka

Introduction

Mt. Okuhotaka (or Okuhotaka-dake) is a representative mountain of Kita Alps (北アルプス). It is the highest mountain in Kita Alps and 3rd highest in Japan.

The course introduced on this page starts from Kamikochi(上高地) which is a famous scenic spot, going for the summit of Mt. Okuhotaka. The former half of the course is a trail in virgin forests with varied plants. The latter half is a mountain climbing route in the  beautiful glacial land-form of Karasawa Cirque(涸沢カール).

About Mt. Okuhotaka

  • Japanese : 奥穂高岳 (おくほたかだけ)
  • Elevation : 3190 m (3rd highest in Japan)
  • Location : Nagano Pref. (長野県)/ Gifu Pref. (岐阜県)
  • Belongs to Kita Alps (北アルプス, Alias : Northern Alps, Hida Mountains)
  • Belongs to Chubu-sangaku National Park (中部山岳国立公園)
  • Non-volcanic
  • One of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains

Season

Best Season : Late July – Aug.

Jan. – May Snow and sometimes blizzard, Intense cold
June – Mid July Rainy, Remaining snow
Late July – Aug. Sunny and warm, Little remaining snow, Flowers
Sep. – Oct. Cold and sometimes snowfall, Autumn leaves
Nov. – Dec. Snow and sometimes blizzard, Intense cold

Route Map & Guide

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Kamikochi – Yokoo

Kamikochi(上高地) is a famous tourism spot. There are restaurants, souvenir shops, and hotels near bus terminal. In addition, there is shower rooms so you can wash your body after mountaineering.

There is a suspension bridge called Kappabashi(河童橋) at a 5-minute walk from the bus terminal. You can see magnificent view of Mt. Okuhotaka on the bridge.

The trail between Kamikochi and Yokoo(横尾) is almost flat and easy to walk. This trail is  popular also for hikers not aiming for summit. There are various kinds of trees, ferns  and streams on the trail. Sometimes you can see monkeys on the trail.

There are mountain huts every one-hour walk. You can have a break at there.

Yokoo – Karasawa

The trail betweem Yokoo(横尾) and Karasawa(涸沢) is more inclined and more like a mountain trail.

On the former half, you can see rock wall of Byobuiwa(屏風岩) on your left. On the latter half,  you can see Mt. Kitahotaka(北穂高岳) on your right front.

At Karasawa, the view become clear because tall trees disappear. You can enjoy beautiful view of mountains on your tent or deck of a hut.

Karasawa is also famous for its beautiful autumn leaves. Numerous people visit for seeing autumn leaves on weekends of late Sept.

Karasawa – Mt. Okuhotaka

From Karasawa(涸沢), the trail become rocky and steep. There may be remaining snow in early summer. This section is a very wonderful place with beautiful scenery, but beware of falling rocks and sliding down.

The route between the altitude of 2600 m and 3000 m is on a rocky ridge called Seitengrat(ザイテングラート). There are some chains and ladders in this section.

At the summit, you can see many mountains in Kita Alps. If the condition is good, you can also see Mt.Fuji in the distance.

Course Time

Kamikochi –> Yokoo 3 hours
Yokoo –> Karasawa 3 hours
Karasawa –> Mt. Okuhotaka 3 hours
Mt.Okuhotaka –> Karasawa 2 hours
Karasawa –> Yokoo 2 hours
Yokoo –> Kamikochi 3 hours

Example Plan

Day 1 : Tokyo/Nagoya ==> Kamikochi –> Yokoo (Camp or stay in a hut)
Day 2 : Yokoo –> Karasawa –> Mt. Okuhotaka –> Karasawa (Camp or stay in a hut)
Day 3 : Karasawa –> Yokoo –> Kamikochi ==> Tokyo/Nagoya

Access

From Tokyo, By Train

  1. JR Shinjuku Sta. [新宿駅] ==> Matsumoto Sta. [松本駅]
    JR Azusa Express / Super-Azusa Express, 3 hours.
  2. Matsumoto Sta. [松本駅] ==> Shin-shimashima Sta. [新島々駅]
    ALPICO Kamikochi Line, 30 minutes.
  3. Shin-shimashima Sta. [新島々駅] ==> Kamikochi Bus Terminal [上高地バスターミナル]
    ALPICO Bus, 1 hour.

A few buses for Kamikochi depart from Matsumoto bus terminal near station.
There are super markets and convenience stores near Matsumoto station. You can buy food or some goods. There is no super market or convenience store after Matsumoto station.

From Nagoya, By Train

  1. JR Nagoya Sta. [名古屋駅] ==> JR Matsumoto Sta. [松本駅]
    JR Shinano Express, 3 hours.
  2. Same as access from Tokyo.

By Express Bus (From Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto)

Refer to this site (ALPICO)

If use express bus, reservation is required.