Taira-no-koya (also written Hirano-koya / 平乃小屋) is a unique lakeside mountain hut on the west shore of Lake Kurobe, created after the Kurobe Dam was completed in 1963. What makes it special is its role as a logistics hub: the hut is associated with the boat crossing that links the lakeside route with Harinoki Valley—a key connector for long traverses in the Northern Japanese Alps.

Shinkoshi-sanso is a classic ridge-stage hut on the Harinoki-dake ↔ Jiigatake ridgeline in the Northern Japanese Alps. It’s built for continuity on long traverses: a reliable roof, meals, and a place to reset before committing to the next exposed ridge stage.

O-osawa-koya (Ōsawa-goya / 大沢小屋) is a small, historic mountain hut on the classic approach from Ogizawa (Kurobe Alpine Route area) toward Harinoki Pass and Mt. Harinoki-dake. It’s best understood as a relay hut—a practical stop that supports early starts, breaks up the ascent, and provides shelter before the steeper, more committing upper terrain.

The Harinoki-goya (針ノ木小屋) is a historic and heavily used mountain hut located at Harinoki Pass (Harinoki-tōge), a classic crossing point in the Northern Japanese Alps. It’s a key stage hut for hikers aiming for Mt. Harinoki-dake and Mt. Renge-dake, and a common overnight stop on multi-day ridge itineraries starting from Ogizawa (Kurobe Dam area).

The Taneike-sanso is a large Japanese mountain hut located near Taneike, an alpine pond positioned along a high ridge route in the Japanese Alps. With its elevated position and substantial capacity, it functions not merely as a stage hut but as a major high-alpine hub, supporting significant foot traffic across multi-day ridge traverses.

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.

The Goryu-sanso is a high-alpine mountain hut located just below the summit of Mt. Goryu-dake (2,814 m) in the Hakuba Range, Northern Japanese Alps. Strategically positioned on a dramatic ridgeline, it functions as a summit base and traverse hub, connecting routes between Mt. Karamatsu-dake, Mt. Kashimayari, and deeper sections of the Hakuba massif.

The Tsugami-sanso is a small, remote Japanese mountain hut located on a quiet ridge section, primarily serving long-distance hikers and traverse parties. It is not a destination hut, but a true stage hut, valued for shelter and continuity on routes where distances are long and alternatives are limited.

The Yamagoya Babadani Onsen is a remote mountain hut with natural hot springs located deep in the Babadani Valley, Japan. Unlike high-alpine huts, it sits at relatively low altitude and is valued primarily as a recovery and staging hut, offering a rare opportunity to experience a traditional onsen in a wild mountain setting far from roads and mass tourism.

The Tengu-sanso is a public mountain hut located high on an exposed ridge of the Northern Japanese Alps, traditionally associated with routes around Mt. Tengu-dake and neighboring peaks. Remote, windswept, and functional, it serves primarily as a stage hut for experienced alpine hikers undertaking long ridge traverses rather than as a destination in itself.

The Happo-ike-sanso is a public mountain hut located on the shore of Happo-ike (Happo Pond), one of the most iconic alpine lakes in the Hakuba Range of the Northern Japanese Alps. With lift-assisted access and a short alpine approach, it functions both as a destination hut for scenic overnights and as a staging point for routes toward Mt. Karamatsu-dake.

The Karamatsu-dake Chojo-sanso is a summit mountain hut located just below the top of Mt. Karamatsu-dake, one of the most popular and scenic peaks in the Hakuba Range of the Northern Japanese Alps. Thanks to relatively efficient access via lifts and well-maintained trails, it serves as a high-altitude destination hut, as well as a stage point for ridge traverses toward Mt. Goryu and the central Hakuba ridgeline.

The Hakuba-yari Onsen-koya is a remote mountain hut with natural hot springs hidden in a steep side valley of the Hakuba Range, Northern Japanese Alps. Renowned for its open-air onsen amid dramatic cliffs, it serves as a serious stage hut on demanding routes linking Mt. Shirouma-dake and Mt. Hakuba-yari.

The Sarukura-so (also known as Sarukura Sansō) is a public mountain lodge located at Sarukura, one of the main trailheads for Mt. Shirouma-dake (Hakuba-dake). It serves as a logistical base and overnight stop for hikers and guided groups preparing to enter the Shirouma Daisekkei and the upper Hakuba alpine zone.

The Hakuba-jiri-koya is a large trailhead mountain hut located at Hakuba-jiri, the traditional starting point for ascents of Mt. Shirouma-dake (Hakuba-dake) via the famous Daisekkei route. Rather than a high-alpine refuge, it functions as a logistical base and flow-control hub, supporting the heavy traffic heading toward Japan’s most iconic snow climb.

The Hakuba-dake Chojo-syukusha is a large public summit hut located on the upper ridge of Mt. Shirouma-dake (Hakuba-dake) in the Northern Japanese Alps. Unlike nearby private huts, this facility is publicly operated and designed to accommodate very high visitor numbers, functioning as a key summit lodging and safety hub on one of Japan’s most frequented high mountains.

The Hakuba-sanso is one of the most important high-mountain huts in the Northern Japanese Alps, located just below the summit of Mt. Shirouma-dake (Hakuba-dake). Sitting high on the main ridge, it functions as a primary summit base and traverse hub, serving hikers tackling Japan’s most iconic alpine peak and long ridge routes across the Hakuba range.

The Hakuba Oike-sanso is a classic Japanese mountain hut located beside Hakuba Ō-ike, one of the most scenic alpine lakes in the Northern Japanese Alps. Positioned on a major route between Tsugaike Nature Park and Mt. Shirouma-dake, the hut plays a key role as a stage hut and resting base for hikers crossing the Hakuba range, combining exceptional scenery with solid mountain logistics.

The Asahi-goya is a well-known Japanese mountain hut located on the eastern side of the Northern Japanese Alps, close to Mt. Asahi-dake and along classic routes connecting Mt. Shirouma-dake with the Asahi massif. It plays a key role as a stage hut for long traverses, offering shelter and logistics in a remote but strategically important area of the Hakuba–Asahi region.

The Shirouma-dake Renge Onsen Lodge is a distinctive mountain lodge with natural hot springs located in the Hakuba range of Nagano Prefecture. Set on classic approach routes to Mt. Shirouma-dake (Hakuba-dake), it functions as a gateway lodge for multi-day traverses and summit attempts—combining serious mountain access with the rare comfort of onsen baths.