Mikuri-gaike Onsen (みくりが池温泉)

076-463-1441

☎️

076-463-1441 ☎️

Mikuri-gaike Onsen is a mountain lodge with a natural hot spring on the Murodo-daira plateau in the Tateyama area. It’s widely known as Japan’s highest-altitude hot spring lodge, drawing its waters from Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and sitting a short walk from the Murodo transport hub—making it a rare combination of high altitude + real onsen comfort + easy logistics.

• Lodge Overview

  • Location: Murodo-daira, Tateyama area, Toyama Prefecture, Japan

  • Altitude: 2,410 m

  • Type: Mountain lodge with natural onsen (indoor baths; gender-separated)

  • Capacity: (not fixed here — send your official number and I’ll lock it in)

  • Opening period: 15 April → 24 November (official)

    • 2026 note: open 15 Apr → 24 Nov, with a planned closure for works 14–26 June (official notice).

• Access & Approaches

  • Access: From Murodo Terminal, a short walk (officially described as about ~15 minutes).

  • Terrain: Well-defined plateau paths; snow can remain well into early summer.

  • Difficulty: T1–T2 to reach the lodge; conditions beyond vary strongly by season.

• Facilities & Comfort

  • Indoor onsen baths with mountain views (no outdoor bath noted on the official English page).

  • Restaurant / café / shop (including some outdoor products).

  • Dormitory-style accommodation with privacy curtains/lights/outlets (as described by the lodge).

  • Day-use onsen is offered (hours and pricing published by the lodge).

• Food & Atmosphere

  A “mountain hut meets onsen lodge” vibe: structured, efficient, and busy at peak times because Murodo is a major hub—yet far more comfortable than ridge huts, especially for recovery.

• Routes & Alpine Context

  Ideal as:

  • A base for Tateyama plateau walks (ponds, volcanic landscape)

  • A staging night before/after Tateyama summit routes from Murodo

  • A “recovery stop” for hikers linking the Tateyama–Kurobe corridor

• When to Go

  • Best hiking window: July–September (generally easiest for snow-free trails)

  • Shoulder seasons: spectacular but can be winter-like at 2,410 m; altitude and weather matter.

• Who Is This Lodge For

  • Hikers who want high altitude + reliable logistics + onsen recovery

  • People doing Tateyama routes who prefer a structured lodge over ridge-hut minimalism

  • Visitors sensitive to comfort but still wanting a true alpine setting

Why This Lodge Is Worth Visiting

At 2,410 m, Mikuri-gaike Onsen delivers something rare: a true high-alpine environment with a real hot-spring lodge and short access from Murodo, making it one of the most practical “high comfort / high altitude” bases in Japan.