Shichijo Koya (七丈小屋)

Shichijo Koya is the only mountain hut on the Kuroto Ridge (黒戸尾根)—the classic, demanding “front route” up Mt. Kaikomagatake (甲斐駒ヶ岳). It sits around the 7th station (Shichijo / 七丈) and is widely used to split the huge elevation gain into a safer 2-day plan. The hut is notable for being staffed year-round, which is rare in Japan.