Kagami-daira-sanso (鏡平山荘)

0577-34-6268

☎️

0577-34-6268 ☎️

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).

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Kagamidaira area, Koike Shindō route, Northern Japanese Alps (Gifu/Nagano region), Japan

  • Altitude: 2,300 m

  • Type: Mountain hut (Japanese alpine hut)

  • Capacity: 110 sleeping places (official hut group info)

    • (Some third-party directories list 120; if you want, I keep the official “110” in your database for consistency.)

  • Season: Generally summer to mid-autumn (varies year to year—confirm current dates when publishing)

  • Connectivity: Hut Wi-Fi via Starlink (when power is running), and mobile phone calls possible inside the hut (per official info)

• Access & Approaches

  Kagami-daira-sanso is typically reached as part of a longer hike from the Shinhotaka Onsen area, using the well-known Northern Alps access corridor.

  • Common approach: Shinhotaka Onsen side → Koike Shindō → Kagamidaira

  • Typical hiking time: Around 4 hours from Shinhotaka Onsen (pace and conditions dependent)

  • Terrain: Forest trail → sustained climb → alpine plateau/pond zone

  • Difficulty: T2–T3 (distance + weather exposure can raise seriousness)

• Facilities & Comfort

  This hut is notably well-equipped for a high-alpine setting, with recent infrastructure upgrades.

  • Mixed sleeping options (from larger rooms to more private configurations), plus common areas

  • Toilets: bio/eco system; newer toilet facilities noted in official info

  • Water & power: self-generated power; water is managed/pumped up from streams (plan accordingly)

  • Tenting: commonly listed as no dedicated tent site at the hut (verify if rules change season to season)

• Food & Atmosphere

  Expect the classic Japanese hut rhythm: set meal times, early starts, and an efficient, well-managed vibe—especially because many guests time their stay for sunrise reflections at Kagami-ike.

• Routes & Alpine Context

  Kagami-daira-sanso is a strategic node for:

  • Sunrise/sunset visits to Kagami-ike (Mirror Pond) (short walk from the hut area)

  • Linking stages toward Sugoroku and deeper Northern Alps traverses

  • A logical overnight for itineraries targeting the Yari/Hotaka panorama (weather permitting)

• When to Go

  • Best season: mid-summer to early autumn (stable trails + clearer mornings)

  • Key risks: fast weather shifts, fog on the plateau, and cold nights even in summer.

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Hikers building a multi-day Northern Alps itinerary

  • Photographers chasing the “mirror reflection” shot

  • Anyone wanting a classic hut experience with strong infrastructure

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

With an official capacity of 110 at 2,300 m, Kagami-daira-sanso is both infrastructure and icon: it makes long Northern Alps routes more practical while sitting next to one of Japan’s most recognizable alpine scenes.