Akadake-sanso is a convenient trailhead-style mountain lodge in the Yatsugatake range, positioned at the Minoto junction—a key logistics point for routes toward Mt. Akadake and the broader Southern Yatsugatake network. It’s primarily used to stage early starts, split itineraries, and avoid carrying heavy loads from lower access points.

Tengu-so (天狗荘) is a ridge-stage mountain hut in Japan’s Central Alps, located right next to Hoken Sanso at Norikoshi Jodo. Unlike many huts that combine lodging with a busy café/day-use vibe, Tengu-so is primarily an overnight-focused hut, often used by groups and trekkers who want a slightly quieter stay while keeping the same strategic access to the Kisokoma-ga-take / Hokendake junction and Central Alps ridgeline.

Jōnen-goya (Jonengoya) is a historic mountain hut on the Jōnen Nokkoshi saddle between Mt. Jōnen-dake and Mt. Yokotoshi in the Northern Japanese Alps. It’s famous for its front-facing panorama toward the Yari–Hotaka range and works as a high-capacity stage hut for multi-day ridge itineraries, including the Panorama Ginza traverse.

Daiten-sou is a classic ridgeline mountain hut on Mt. Otensho (often read Otenshō-dake / Ōtenjō-dake), sitting directly on the Omote-Ginza traverse line between Tsubakuro-dake and the Yarigatake area. Its biggest strengths are strategic positioning (a true ridge junction) and big panoramas—with Otensho’s summit only a short walk away.

Yoko-o-sanso (横尾山荘) is the classic trail-lodge hub at Yokoo, the main “branching point” in Kamikochi for routes toward the Yari–Hotaka region (Yarisawa, Karasawa) and for the traverse toward Chōgatake / Tokugō Pass. It’s not a ridge hut—it’s a strategic base camp: comfortable enough to reset, but positioned for serious multi-day itineraries.

Enzan-so (燕山荘 / Enzanso) is one of Japan’s most iconic and high-capacity mountain huts, sitting on the ridgeline just below Mt. Tsubakuro-dake (燕岳) in the Northern Japanese Alps. It’s both a destination hut (views, classic hut culture) and a major logistics hub for routes along the Omote-Ginza / Northern Alps ridge networks.

Nakabusa Onsen (中房温泉) is a unique mountain lodge with natural hot springs that also functions as a major trailhead base for classic Northern Japanese Alps routes—especially the approach toward Mt. Tsubakuro-dake (燕岳) and the so-called “Panorama Ginza” corridor. It’s the kind of place that works both as logistics (sleep + early start) and as recovery (serious onsen culture) in one stop.

Nanakura-sanso (七倉山荘) is a mountain lodge with natural hot-spring baths at the entrance of the Takase Valley (Ōmachi, Nagano). It’s widely used as a logistics base for hikers heading into the Northern Alps “Ura-Ginza” traverse corridor and as a relaxing stop thanks to its onsen facilities.

Kagami-daira-sanso is one of the most iconic mountain huts in Japan, famous for nearby Kagami-ike (Mirror Pond)—a classic photo spot where Yari-ga-take and the Hotaka range can reflect perfectly on calm mornings. It sits on the Koike Shindō approach used by hikers heading deeper into the Northern Alps (e.g., toward Sugoroku, Yari/Hotaka, and longer traverses).

The Goryu-sanso is a high-alpine mountain hut located just below the summit of Mt. Goryu-dake (2,814 m) in the Hakuba Range, Northern Japanese Alps. Strategically positioned on a dramatic ridgeline, it functions as a summit base and traverse hub, connecting routes between Mt. Karamatsu-dake, Mt. Kashimayari, and deeper sections of the Hakuba massif.

The Happo-ike-sanso is a public mountain hut located on the shore of Happo-ike (Happo Pond), one of the most iconic alpine lakes in the Hakuba Range of the Northern Japanese Alps. With lift-assisted access and a short alpine approach, it functions both as a destination hut for scenic overnights and as a staging point for routes toward Mt. Karamatsu-dake.

The Karamatsu-dake Chojo-sanso is a summit mountain hut located just below the top of Mt. Karamatsu-dake, one of the most popular and scenic peaks in the Hakuba Range of the Northern Japanese Alps. Thanks to relatively efficient access via lifts and well-maintained trails, it serves as a high-altitude destination hut, as well as a stage point for ridge traverses toward Mt. Goryu and the central Hakuba ridgeline.

The Hakuba-yari Onsen-koya is a remote mountain hut with natural hot springs hidden in a steep side valley of the Hakuba Range, Northern Japanese Alps. Renowned for its open-air onsen amid dramatic cliffs, it serves as a serious stage hut on demanding routes linking Mt. Shirouma-dake and Mt. Hakuba-yari.

The Sarukura-so (also known as Sarukura Sansō) is a public mountain lodge located at Sarukura, one of the main trailheads for Mt. Shirouma-dake (Hakuba-dake). It serves as a logistical base and overnight stop for hikers and guided groups preparing to enter the Shirouma Daisekkei and the upper Hakuba alpine zone.

The Hakuba-jiri-koya is a large trailhead mountain hut located at Hakuba-jiri, the traditional starting point for ascents of Mt. Shirouma-dake (Hakuba-dake) via the famous Daisekkei route. Rather than a high-alpine refuge, it functions as a logistical base and flow-control hub, supporting the heavy traffic heading toward Japan’s most iconic snow climb.

The Hakuba-sanso is one of the most important high-mountain huts in the Northern Japanese Alps, located just below the summit of Mt. Shirouma-dake (Hakuba-dake). Sitting high on the main ridge, it functions as a primary summit base and traverse hub, serving hikers tackling Japan’s most iconic alpine peak and long ridge routes across the Hakuba range.

The Hakuba Oike-sanso is a classic Japanese mountain hut located beside Hakuba Ō-ike, one of the most scenic alpine lakes in the Northern Japanese Alps. Positioned on a major route between Tsugaike Nature Park and Mt. Shirouma-dake, the hut plays a key role as a stage hut and resting base for hikers crossing the Hakuba range, combining exceptional scenery with solid mountain logistics.

The Shirouma-dake Renge Onsen Lodge is a distinctive mountain lodge with natural hot springs located in the Hakuba range of Nagano Prefecture. Set on classic approach routes to Mt. Shirouma-dake (Hakuba-dake), it functions as a gateway lodge for multi-day traverses and summit attempts—combining serious mountain access with the rare comfort of onsen baths.

The Tsugaike-sanso is a public Japanese alpine hut located above Tsugaike Kōgen, in the Hakuba range (Nagano Prefecture). Situated near the Tsugaike Nature Park, it serves as an important base for alpine hiking and long-distance traverses in the Northern Japanese Alps, particularly for routes toward Mt. Shirouma (Hakuba-dake).