Hakuba-jiri-koya

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.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Hakuba-jiri (trailhead), Hakuba Range, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

  • Altitude: 1,560 m

  • Type: Trailhead mountain hut / lodge (Japanese alpine hut style)

  • Capacity: 130 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Open/guarded: typically late June to late September

  • Management: Local / private operator

• Access & Approaches

  Access is straightforward and marks the transition from valley to alpine terrain.

  • Main access:

    • From Hakuba village by road, followed by a short walk

  • Difficulty to reach hut: T1

  • Role: Primary staging point for the Shirouma Daisekkei route

  From this point upward, terrain becomes steep, snowy, and objectively hazardous.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Highly functional due to volume and role.

  • Large shared dormitory sleeping areas (futons provided)

  • Meals and refreshments available when staffed

  • Drinking water supply

  • Indoor toilets

  • Adjacent camping area often used by climbers

  Comfort is basic, but capacity and efficiency are key.

• Food & Atmosphere

  Busy, practical, and preparation-focused.

  • Simple meals designed for early starts

  • Very mixed clientele: guided groups, independent climbers, long-distance hikers

  • Evenings focused on weather, snow conditions, and timing

  This is a logistics zone, not a leisure hut.

• Routes & Alpine Context

  Hakuba-jiri-koya is essential for:

  • The Shirouma Daisekkei ascent to Mt. Shirouma-dake

  • Access to Hakuba-sanso and Hakuba-dake Chojo-syukusha

  • Snow and condition assessment before committing upward

  • Emergency regrouping in case of deteriorating conditions

  Above this hut, ice axe, helmet, and snow skills are mandatory in most seasons.

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to early September

  • Conditions: Continuous snow on the Daisekkei well into summer

  • Main risks: Underestimating snow, rockfall, congestion

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Hikers and climbers ascending Mt. Shirouma-dake

  • Guided groups and early-start parties

  • Trekkers needing a solid valley staging base

  • Not intended as a destination hut

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 1.560 m, with a capacity of 130 people, the Hakuba-jiri-koya is one of the most important operational huts in the Northern Japanese Alps. It represents the exact point where a hike turns into a serious alpine ascent, making it indispensable for anyone tackling the Daisekkei route safely and efficiently.