Suisho-goya (Suishō-goya)

050-8882-5833

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050-8882-5833 ☎️

Suisho-goya (水晶小屋) is a compact, high-alpine hut on the Ura-Ginza / Kurobe headwaters side of the Northern Japanese Alps, used mainly by hikers traversing remote ridgelines and those aiming for Mt. Suishō-dake (水晶岳 / Kuro-dake). It’s not a “destination lodge” — it’s a strategic stage hut in a serious backcountry zone where distances are long and weather exposure is constant.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Northern Japanese Alps, on routes linking the Ura-Ginza traverse with the approach to Mt. Suishō-dake

  • Altitude: ≈ 2,900 m

  • Type: Mountain hut (ridge-stage hut)

  • Capacity: 38 sleeping places (current official listing)

    • (Older references commonly cite 30–35, depending on year/operations.)

  • Season: Typically mid-July to late September (varies year to year; confirm for your season)

  • Tents: No tent site

  • Reservations: Fully reservation-based (official)

• Access & Approaches

  Suisho-goya is usually reached as part of a multi-day itinerary, not from a quick trailhead day hike.

  • Common context: traverses that connect peaks like Eboshi / Noguchi-Goro / Suishō and continue toward Kumono-daira

  • Terrain: exposed ridges, long stages, few “easy exits” once committed

  • Difficulty: T3–T4 (route-dependent; can feel harder in poor visibility/wind)

• Facilities & Comfort

  Functional, minimal, and designed for safety rather than comfort.

  • Shared dormitory sleeping (futons)

  • Meals during staffed season (as per reservation model)

  • Water: commonly listed as no natural water point at the hut, so plan for purchased/managed water

  • Basic toilet facilities (managed system)

• Food & Atmosphere

  Expect a quiet, disciplined “deep-alps” atmosphere:

  • Most guests are traverse hikers moving through on strict timing

  • Evenings are short, with early starts aimed at stable weather windows

• Routes & Alpine Context

  Suisho-goya is primarily used for:

  • Summit access to Mt. Suishō-dake (often a key objective on remote Northern Alps itineraries)

  • Linking stages between the Ura-Ginza corridor and the Kurobe headwaters hut network

  • A safety node in a region where spacing between huts can be consequential

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to early September

  • Main risks: strong wind, fog/whiteouts on ridges, and the “no-water-point” logistics — carry and plan carefully

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced alpine hikers doing multi-day traverses

  • Parties targeting Suishō-dake as part of a bigger route

  • Hikers comfortable with minimal facilities and strict logistics

  • Not ideal for beginners or casual overnights

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At ~2,900 m with an official capacity of 38, Suisho-goya is the definition of a high-ridge stage hut: small, exposed, and strategically placed to make serious Northern Alps itineraries possible. It’s not about comfort — it’s about continuity and shelter in one of Japan’s most committing mountain interiors.