Tsumeta-ike-sanso

0261-22-1263

☎️

0261-22-1263 ☎️

The Tsumeta-ike-sanso is a small Japanese mountain hut located near Tsumeta-ike, an alpine pond positioned along a high route in the Japanese Alps. It functions primarily as a stage hut, offering shelter and logistical support to hikers undertaking long ridge or valley traverses rather than serving as a summit-focused base.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Near Tsumeta-ike, Japanese Alps, Japan

  • Altitude: ≈ 2,200–2,400 m (to be confirmed)

  • Type: Mountain hut (Japanese alpine hut style)

  • Capacity: ≈ 30–50 sleeping places (to be confirmed)

  • Season:

    • Open/guarded: typically July to September

  • Management: Local / regional mountain hut operator

• Access & Approaches

  Access is alpine and generally part of a multi-day itinerary.

  • Main approaches:

    • Via ridge trails connecting neighboring huts

    • From lower valleys through sustained alpine ascents

  • Hiking time: ~5–8 hours from adjacent huts or trailheads

  • Terrain: Rocky alpine paths, grass slopes, exposed sections

  • Difficulty: T3

  Stable weather and sure-footedness are required.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Simple and functional.

  • Shared dormitory sleeping (futons or mats)

  • Simple meals when staffed

  • Limited drinking water supply

  • Basic toilet facilities

  Comfort is secondary to strategic positioning.

• Food & Atmosphere

  Quiet and traverse-oriented.

  • Fixed meal schedules

  • Small number of guests due to limited capacity

  • Evenings focused on rest and next-day planning

  The setting near an alpine pond creates a calm and reflective atmosphere.

• Routes & Alpine Context

  Tsumeta-ike-sanso is used for:

  • Long ridge traverses in the Japanese Alps

  • Linking stages between major huts

  • Shelter in deteriorating weather

  • Scenic overnight stops near alpine water

  It is not a summit hut, but an important connecting node.

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to early September

  • Conditions: Fog and wind common on exposed terrain

  • Main risks: Isolation and rapid weather change

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced alpine hikers

  • Long-distance trekkers

  • Traverse-focused parties

  • Not suitable for beginners or short casual visits

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

The Tsumeta-ike-sanso represents the essential stage-hut culture of Japan: modest, strategically located, and integral to multi-day alpine continuity. Its proximity to an alpine pond adds a quiet scenic element to what is otherwise a functional high-mountain stop.