Yakushi-dake-sanso (薬師岳山荘)

090-8263-2523

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090-8263-2523 ☎️

The Yakushi-dake-sanso (薬師岳山荘) is a classic high-alpine mountain hut located just below the summit of Mt. Yakushi-dake (2,926 m) in the Northern Japanese Alps (Toyama side). It functions as a summit base and traverse-stage hut for hikers tackling Yakushi-dake and linking longer interior routes across the Tateyama–Yakushi–Kurobe network.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Southwest below the summit of Mt. Yakushi-dake, Toyama Prefecture, Japan

  • Altitude: 2,701 m

  • Type: Mountain hut (Japanese alpine hut style)

  • Capacity: 60 sleeping places

  • Season: Typically late June/early July to early/mid-October (varies year to year)

  • Management: Hut operator (official site available)

• Access & Approaches

  Yakushi-dake-sanso is normally reached as part of a longer ascent—often as the final staging point before a summit push or as a one-night base for a multi-day itinerary.

  • Typical approach context: from Toyama-side trailheads (e.g., Oridate corridor) on a long mountain day

  • Terrain: sustained climb → alpine ridges/plateaus → final summit zone

  • Difficulty: T3 (can feel harder due to altitude, weather exposure, and long day length)

• Facilities & Comfort

  Functional and stage-focused (summit logistics > comfort).

  • Dormitory-style sleeping; some sources note private-room options

  • Meals during staffed season (standard hut service)

  • Water note: commonly listed as no natural water point; water is managed/purchased (plan accordingly)

  • Managed toilet facilities

• Food & Atmosphere

  Expect a summit-driven rhythm: early dinner, early lights-out, and very early departures timed to weather windows. The hut is known for a practical but welcoming atmosphere typical of family-run Japanese alpine huts.

• Routes & Alpine Context

  Yakushi-dake-sanso is central to:

  • Summit ascents of Mt. Yakushi-dake (short, high-altitude push from the hut)

  • Traverse logic linking the Yakushi region with deeper interior huts (route-dependent)

  • A high staging point when conditions require splitting the summit day

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to September (most stable trails and operations)

  • Main risks: rapid weather shifts, cold exposure even in summer, and water logistics (carry/plan)

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Hikers targeting Mt. Yakushi-dake

  • Traverse parties linking multi-day Northern Alps stages

  • Strong hikers comfortable with altitude and controlled logistics

  • Not ideal for: casual overnights or comfort-oriented stays

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,701 m with 60 beds, Yakushi-dake-sanso is a high-altitude infrastructure hut in the truest sense: it makes a major summit day realistic and provides a reliable safety node in a region where weather and distance can quickly escalate commitment.