Last updated: August 25, 2023

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, things are starting to somewhat return to normal in the Japan Alps. While  the huts have now reopened, they all require advanced booking. Those without advanced booking may be charged extra, so please keep thing in mind. Visitors to the Japan Alps this summer should plan well in advance.

The following information will be continually updated and is subject to change. Listings are based on the treks outlined in our Japan Alps guidebook, so please reference it when planning your hikes.

Kita Alps

Walk 1 – Mt Shirouma-dake (campsite and hut by advanced booking only, those without an advanced booking will be charged extra – Daisekkei route is currently closed)

The Daisekkei route is currently closed to hikers due to an unstable snowpack. Please climb either via the Yari Onsen route or the Tsugaike route.

The trails to Mt Shiouma-dake are currently open, but the hut capacities and tent space availability are limited. Hakuba-jiri-goya hut is closed but the campsite is open. Be careful as it costs 2000 yen for each person + 1000 yen per tent, so for a solo hiker it would be 3000 yen to camp there for one night.

Hakuba-chojō-shukusha is currently open for business. In 2022 a tent site costs 3000 yen (2000 yen per person + 1000 yen per tent)  while overnight accommodation with two meals is now 13,500 yen. Those wanting to stay without an advanced booking will be charged an extra 2000 yen. Bookings for both the campsite and the hut can be made here or by calling 0261-75-3788 in Japanese.

Sarukurasō is currently open for business and is selling supplies to hikers heading for the summit. Those interested in staying at the hut are advised to contact them directly (0261-75-3788) to inquire about availability. Don’t just show up expecting a room for the night or you may be sleeping in the adjacent public toilet.

Hakuba Sansō is currently open for business, but advanced bookings are required to stay in the hut.  Contact the hut directly to make a booking. The new price is 15,000 yen per person for 1 night, two meals.

For the alternative route via Hakuba Oike, be advised that Hakuba Ōike sansō requires advanced bookings for both campers and hut guests. A tent space costs 4000 yen and overnight accommodation with two meals costs 15,000 yen per night. Bookings can be made by contacting the hut.

My advice: Avoid exposing yourself to crowds in the hut and consider doing Mt Shirouma-dake as a day hike if you’re fit and fast. Otherwise, book a tent space and stay clear of other groups. Be advised that camp sites for weekends get book out quickly so plan accordingly.

Trek 1 – Mt Shirouma-dake and Hakuba-Yari Onsen (Open, advanced bookings required)

The trail between Sarukura and Hakuba-Yari Onsen is open.  Hakuba-Yari Onsen-goya is open. Tent sites cost 4000 yen per person and overnight accommodation with two meals costs 16,000 yen per night.

Walk 2 – Mt Tateyama (open – advanced bookings required)

The Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route is currently running. Be sure to budget extra time for access to Murodō, especially during the weekends and on holidays. Please avoid traveling to Tateyama if you experience a fever or any other symptoms of COVID-19. The cable car from the Toyama side of the route can get very crowded on weekends. Consider booking an advanced ticket here (in Japanese) to avoid being turned away.

Mikuri-ga-ike Onsen hut opened on July 1st, but advanced reservations are required. The hut has asked visitors to avoid staying in groups larger than four. There are shared dormitory rooms for solo travelers. Masks are required for all visitors, and alcohol disinfectant has been installed at the entrance. Please use it upon entry. The hot spring is open for day-trippers as well, but be warned that capacity is limited. Online bookings for the hut in English can be made here.

Raichōsawa hut and campground are currently open and the hut requires advance booking. The campground does not require advanced booking but spaces are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, so show up early to obtain the best sites. Hut bookings can be made by calling 076-463-1835 and the hut now accepts credit cards and paypay e-money.

Walk 3 – Mt Oku-dainichi-dake (open – COVID-19 countermeasures in effect)

See Walk 2 above. Those continuing past the summit to Shōmyō Falls should be aware that Dainichi-goya requires advanced booking. Call the hut directly at 090-3291-1579 to make a booking.

Trek 2 – Mt Tsurugi-dake (open – COVID-19 countermeasures in effect)

Tsurugi-gozen-goya is currently open. In addition to an advanced booking, a mask is required for all guests. Call  080-8694-5076 to make a booking.

Tsurugi-sawa-goya is currently open for business, but an advanced booking is required. Tatami rooms have been partitioned with plywood dividers to help spread infection. Masks are also required. Tsurugi-sawa campground is also open, with spaces allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Advanced bookings are not required. Call 080-1968-1620 to book the hut.

Kenzan-sō is open for business. Advanced bookings are required. This is the closest hut to the trailhead and will surely fill up quickly this summer. Hut availability can be found here. After checking, call the hut directly at 090-2372-5799 or try the management office at 076-482-1564. Alternatively, you can try e-mailing the hut at kenzanso55@gmail.com .

Hayatsuki-goya is open. Overnight accommodation with two meals costs 13,200 yen and your own sleeping bag is required. It is a bare-bones hut with no running water. A two-liter bottle of water costs 1500 yen. Tent spaces cost 1000 yen per person per night and bookings aren’t required. For hut bookings, call the hut directly at 090-7740-9233. 

Trek 3 – North Alps traverse (open for experienced, self-sufficient campers only. Huts en route require advanced booking and many are already fully-booked )

Stage 1

Goshiki-ga-hara sansō hut is currently open for business with a capacity of just 78 guests per night. Advanced bookings are required. Campers are advised to time their treks so they avoid camping during the weekend, as the campsite is expected to be unusually crowded. Advanced bookings for campers are not required, but early arrival is essential to secure a favorable tent location. A tent site costs 1500 yen per person per night.

Stage 2

Sugo-no-koshi-goya hut is now open and advanced booking is required. Campers do not require a booking but are advised to show up early to claim a site, as capacity is limited. Yakushi-dake sansō hut is accepting guests with advanced booking only. Yakushi-tōge campground is also open, but is expected to be unusually crowded this summer. Campers are advised to show up early to secure a favorable tent location. Tarōdaira-goya hut is open for with reduced capacity for those with advanced bookings.

Stage 3/4

Both Kurobegorō-goya and Sugoroku-goya (and the campgrounds) are open. Advanced bookings are required for both campers and hut guests. Campers can check availability and make bookings by clicking on the 要約 Kanki.  Alternatively, call Kurobegorō-goya at 080‐1588‐1606 and Sugoroku-goya at 577-34-6268 to make  bookings and inquiries (in Japanese). Tent sites cost 2000 yen per person per night.

Yari-ga-take sansō hut is currently open for those with an advanced booking. Tent sites do not require advanced bookings but be aware that camping now costs 2000 yen per person per night. The hut accommodation fee has been raised to 14,000 yen per night with two meals. Bookings can be made online (in Japanese) here.

Stage 5

The route to Kamikōchi is currently open to hikers, but all huts require advanced bookings.

Walk 4 – Mt Yake-dake (open) 

Yake-dake-goya hut is now open, but advanced booking is required. While Yake-dake can be done as a day hike from Kamikōchi, hikers should be aware that Yakedake is an active volcano subject to sudden weather changes. Make a call about whether to attempt the summit after reaching the hut. Hut bookings can be made by calling 090-2753-2560. 

Walk 5 – Mt Nishihō-Doppyō (closed until August 9th)

Nishiho sansō is open for business but the Shinhotaka Ropeway is closed for maintenance until August 9th. Guests are advised to book in advance. Tents also require a booking and campers should be aware that space is limited. Call 0263-36-7052 to make a booking.  Ropeway space is limited, so be prepared for long wait times on weekends and holidays. Online tickets for the ropeway can be purchased here (in Japanese).

Trek 4 – Mt Oku-Hotaka-dake and Karasawa Ciruqe  (Open)

Dakesawa-goya is currently open for business. Bookings can be made by calling 090-2546-2100 (or online here) and the staff recommend downloading and filling out this registration card for a smoother check-in procedure.

Hotaka-dake-sansō is currently open. Advanced booking is required for both the hut and campsite. Tent sites now cost 2000 yen per person per night (+ a 500 yen campsite fee per tent). Online bookings for both the hut and campsite can be made here (in Japanese).

Karasawa Hut and Karasawa-goya hut are open, but advanced bookings are required. Call Karasawa Hut at 090-9002-2534 and Karasawa-goya hut at 090-2204-1300 to make bookings. Tent bookings are not required, but please check in between 2 and 5pm. Tent sites cost 2000 yen per person per night.

Konashidaira campground in Kamikōchi is currently open but advanced reservations are required for all campers during Obon (August 9 – 15). Make online bookings here or call 0263-95-2321 to make a booking. Site availability can be found here. Tent sites cost 1300 yen per person per night. Please be aware that a bear attack during 2020 occurred in the campsite, so please do not leave any food unattended and no barbecues or campfires are allowed.

Trek 5 – Mt Yari-ga-take (Open)

Yari-ga-take sansō hut is currently open for those with an advanced booking. Tent sites do not require advanced bookings but be aware that camping now costs 2000 yen per person per night. The hut accommodation fee has been raised to 14,000 yen per night with two meals.  The campground is incredibly exposed to the wind and elements, so make sure you have a tent strong enough to cope.

Yaridaira-goya is now open. Advanced bookings are required. Online bookings can be made here or by calling 090-8863-3021. Campsites cost 2000 yen per person per night and advanced bookings are NOT required.

Konashidaira campground in Kamikōchi is currently open but advanced reservations are required during Obon (August 9 – 15). Make online bookings here or call 0263-95-2321 to make a booking. Tent sites cost 1300 yen per person per night.

Trek 6 – Mt Chō-ga-take and Mt Jōnen-dake (Open)

Chō-ga-take Hut is open and advanced reservations are required. Online booking can be made here. Campers do not need a reservation but are advised to show up early as space is limited. The hut recommends downloading, printing, and filling out this check-in form to help expedite check-in procedures.

Konashidaira campground in Kamikōchi is currently open but advanced reservations are required during Obon for all campers. Make online bookings here or call 0263-95-2321 to make a booking. Tent sites cost 1300 yen per person per night.

Trek 7 – Mt Kasa-ga-take (Open, COVID-19 countermeasures in effect.)

Kasa-ga-take sansō hut is open but advanced bookings are required. Call 090-7020-5666 to make a booking. An overnight stay with two meals now costs 14,000 yen per person. Tent sites cost 2000 yen per person per night. Call the hut to inquire about bookings and availability.

Walk 6 – Mt Norikura-dake (Open)

Mt Norikura is currently open. Click here for the shuttle bus schedule in English. Please note that the bus schedule timetable is contingent upon the weather.

Chūō Alps

Walk 7 – Mt Kiso-koma-ga-take (open)

The Komagatake ropeway is running at 80% capacity and is expected to be very crowded during Obon. Senjōjiki Hotel is currently open.  Komagatake-chōjō sansō is open for accommodation, and the adjacent campsite is also open (2000 yen per person per night). Space is limited in the hut so please make an advanced booking with the hut directly. No reservations are required for tent sites but space is available on a first-come-first-served basis. Hoken-dake sansō and Tengu-sō huts are also open for business (advanced booking required).

Trek 8 – Central Alps traverse (open – COVID-19 countermeasures in effect)

Kisodono sansō is open this year but with limited capacity. Advanced bookings are necessary, so call the hut at 090-5638-8193 to make a booking.  Komahō Hut is open but capacity is extremely limited. E-mail them in Japanese to make a booking.

Minami Alps

Walk 8 – Mt Kai-koma-ga-take (Open, but no shuttle bus between Hirogawara and Kitazawa tōge.  Ascent possible via Kuroto-One but only for experts）

Access to Kitazawa-tōge is a bit tricky this year. The shuttle bus from Hirogawara will NOT run in 2023 due to landslide damage. However, the shuttle bus from Senryūsū to Kitazawa-tōge is running. Click here for the updated bus schedule.

Kitazawa-tōge Komorebi-sansō and Chōei-goya (and campground)  are open this year with limited capacity. Ōdaira-sansō is also open, but this year meals will not be served and capacity is limited to just 20 guests. Sensui-goya is independently-run and does not have a website, so please call the hut directly at 080-5076-5494 to inquire about accommodation availability.   On the Kuroto-One route, Shichijō-goya, is open with limited capacity. Solo hikers heading up this route can now take advantage of the affordable Mountain Taxi service.  Advanced booking is required for both campers and hut guests at all huts.

Walk 9 – Mt Senjō-ga-take (open）

Senjō-goya hut is currently open but with limited capacity. Umanose-hyutte has now reopened under new management. Advanced reservations are required for both huts. If both huts are fully booked, then it’s better to base yourself at Kitazawa-tōge and do Mt Senjō as a day hike.

Trek 9 – Mt Kita-dake (open.  Huts and tent sites require advanced booking. )

All huts are currently open and advanced bookings are required. At the trailhead, Hirogawara sansō has just opened its completely new hut directly next to the visitor’s center (the hut across the river is now closed). They now charge 9000 yen for two meals and tent sites cost 900 yen per night per person. Advanced bookings are required for both campers and hut guests and they can be made here.  Shirane-oike-goya is now charging 10,500 yen for overnight accommodation with two meals and camping now costs 1000 yen per night per person. Hut and tent bookings can now be made online here. Up on the ridge, Kitadake Kata-no-goya has limited capacity and advanced bookings are required (bring your own sleeping bag or inner liner). For bookings call the hut directly at ０９０－４６０６－００６８. Campers do not need advanced bookings but should be aware that space is limited. Campsites are now 1500 yen per person on weekdays, and 3500 yen per person (1500 yen per person + 2000 yen per tent) on weekends.  Kitadake-sansō has now reopened. It now costs 9000 yen per person per night and tent sites are 1100 yen per person per night). Bookings can be made here.

Trek 10 – Mt Hō-ō (Open . All huts require advanced booking)

Both Minami-omuro-goya and Yakushi-dake-goya are open for business and advanced booking is required (bring your own sleeping bag). The campground at Minami-omuro-goya does NOT require advanced booking. Hō-ō goya is open for guests with advanced bookings (limited capacity), and the campground is open (advanced bookings required on weekends for campers). Tent sites are 1500 yen per person per night. Hirogawara is currently open, so the traverse route via Hakuhō pass is possible this year.

Trek 11 – Mt Arakawa-Higashidake and Mt Akaishi-dake (Open – advanced booking required at one of the huts in order to board shuttle bus at Hatanagi dam parking lot)　

The bus from Shizuoka station to Hatanagi Dai-ichi Dam is running for the 2023 season. The bus runs daily from July 15 to August 27and advanced booking is required. Book online here (in Japanese).

Shuttle bus service to Sawarajima is now running. Advanced bookings are required by either phoning 003-6265-6967 (weekdays 10am – 4pm) or by booking one of the huts online here. Please note that shuttle buses can only be boarded by those who have made a hut booking in advance. Campers will not be allowed aboard the bus unless they have booked one night of hut accommodation (hut stay without meals is the cheapest option to qualify for bus boarding).

Trek 12 – Mt Kamikōchi-dake and Mt Hijiri-dake (Open – advanced booking required at Sawarajima hut in order to board shuttle bus from Hatanagi dam parking lot)

Book an overnight stay at  Sawarajima lodge (14,000 per person per night with 2 meals), and they provide an early morning shuttle bus free of charge to the Hijiridake trailhead. Hijiridaira-goya will open between July 19th and September 23th this year and advanced bookings are required. Please note that dinner will not be served at the hut this year and the cost for an overnight stay without meals is now 9000 yen (10,000 yen if you show up without a booking). Tent sites cost 2000 yen per person per night. Call 080-1560-6309 to make a booking.

Trek 13 – South Alps traverse (Open – stay at Sawarajima lodge if exiting early on Stage 5 so you can board the shuttle bus to Hatanagi dam )

If you are entirely self-sufficient and are camping/cooking your own food, then the full traverse is possible and with some advanced planning you can do it by staying entirely at huts. Kitadake-Sanso has reopened this year andt  Kuma-no-daira is also operating (advanced booking required). Shiomi-goya and Sanpuku-tōge-goya are both open, but both require advanced booking. The huts in the southern half of the traverse have finally reopened this year but advanced bookings are required (you can also ask the hut staff call ahead for you in a pinch but be warned that the huts will likely be fully booked as Arakawa and Akaishi will be incredibly popular this year).

Mt Fuji

Walk 10 – Yoshida Route (Open)

Walk 11 – Subashiri Route (Open)

Walk 12 – Gotemba Route (Open)

Walk 13 – Fujinomiya Route (Open)

All routes on Mt Fuji are currently open but hut capacity is limited this year. Advanced bookings are required for all hut guests. Don’t underestimate the hike. The altitude can really get to you if you’re not in good shape and not used to higher elevations (Fuji is 3776m tall – 12, 388 feet)

Walk 14 – Mt Kuro-dake (Open)

Bus service to the trailhead has been restored but service is limited so plan your hike accordingly.