fbpx
    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

        Solace and Giant Salamanders in Akiota

        Just beyond Hiroshima City is a tranquil outdoor destination home to some of Japan's last remaining oosanshouo, the elusive giant salamander.
        Kyoto Oni Trail Outdoor Japanvideo

        The Oni Trail: Hiking Coastal Kyoto

        The mystical oni is prevalent in Japanese children’s stories, usually as a way to scare kids straight. Adventure Travel Kyoto is shedding a new light on this folklore and developing a new hiking route in the countryside of Kyoto.
    • Summer
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        mead brewing in japan

        The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead

        Wander into the world of mead brewing and find yourself immersed in a fascinating journey spanning centuries and continents.
        the knights in white lycra

        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
        sea to table yamagata

        Sea to Table in Yamagata

        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
    • Winter
    • Near Tokyo
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Near Kyoto
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Mountain and Land
    • Sky
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
      • climbing mt. fuji off season

        Mt. Fuji: The Path Less Traveled

        Fuji-san is the most climbed mountain in the world. If you are in good shape, there is a way to avoid the traffic for a more peaceful Mt. Fuji experience during the off-season.
    • Travel
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Food and Drinks
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Races and Events
      • dd4d brewing

        DD4D Brewing

        In nearly e...
        fuji rock japan

        2023 Summer Music Festivals

        Get into the groove this green season while enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends.
        Summer Events Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        2023 Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        Enjoy these fireworks festivals held throughout Japan this summer and autumn.

100 Famous Japanese Mountains: #68 Goryu-dake

The dust in the rusting tin storage shack I had stayed in near Goryu campsite had gotten the best of me, and I woke up sneezing and chilled. But it was a worthy trade-off, and I was pleased I didn’t have to bother pitching my tent the night before. I got a sound sleep without the harsh sounding wind cutting through my tent walls.

I had been too exhausted and cold as the trek up from Hakuba town, and through Mt. Shirouma two days before, had thoroughly worn me out. The mountains in this area were steep and the biting winds were nothing to reckon with though the views of the North Alps were generally worth it.

I stepped outside and greeted the mountain. Blue skies and a few scattered clouds were a relief but the morning chill made me still appreciate my rainwear as I slipped it over my clothing.

Ohayo! Come and join us for a cup of coffee!” I heard from Yuu, only his head visible from his bright orange tent door. I smiled and walked over to Yuu and Hiyoshi’s tent. I had met them the previous evening as they were scouting the area for backcountry trails, so they would be ready when the winter snowfall came.

I looked at my map, relieved that rain wasn’t in the forecast, but my pack was heavy with gear and the steep peak of Kashima-yari in the distance looked daunting. But the guys were all smiles as we made our way up the trail.

As we had gotten a late start, we had missed not only the crowd but also the thick gusts that had blocked the views that morning. Goryu, still a couple hours away, was in full view and somehow felt closer.

Trail Tips

If coming from Tokyo, Day One requires a long commute and multiple transfers, it’s advisable to start early in the day or stay the night before the hike in Hakuba. Certain areas of this hike will have pockets of remaining snow and ice in late June and early July, therefore having crampons is a good idea.

Nights will be chilly early in the season for camping and many of the huts will not be in full service until July, so if planning to stay overnight, call to confirm availability. On the descent from Goryu, you can take a different, scenic trail by going back down to Haku-dake (2,541 meters) and hiking eastward toward the Alps-Daira Lift. This will require you to take the lift down from Alps-Daira to Toumi Station which will bring you to JR Kamishiro Station.

MOUNTAIN STATS

Mountain: Goryu-dake
Difficulty Level: 4 out of 5
Location: Nagano, North Alps (Actually just over the border in the Kurobe area of Toyama Prefecture although most people associate it with Nagano).
Peak: 2,814 meters
Duration: 2-day hike
When to go: July – Late October
Things to Bring: Raingear, flashlight, map, camera, sunscreen, plenty of water, camera, gloves, sunglasses, warm hat, (tent and sleeping bag for camping)

Getting There

From Shinjuku take the Azusa Super Express train to Hakuba Station. You may need to change trains in Matsumoto. Walk or take a taxi to Happo where you can take a gondola and a connecting lift at Usagi-daira to Happo Ike Sanso trailhead. (Return via Goryu-Toumi lift, near JR Kamishiro Station).

Shinjuku ⇒Hakuba Station⇒Happo ⇒Happo Lift Station⇒ Usagi Daira Lift ⇒Happo Ike Sanso (trailhead)
(3 hrs. 36 mins. ¥8,270) ⇒ (5 mins. ¥180) ⇒ (10 mins. walk) ⇒ (8 mins. ¥860) ⇒ (20 mins. ¥540).

Contact Information

Hakuba Kanko Taxi: (0261) 72-2144
Hakuba Town Tourist Information: (0261) 72-3232
Hakuba Ike Lodge: (0261) 72-2855
Goryu Lodge: (0261) 22-2477
Karamatsu Lodge: (0568) 91-9608

Recommended Hiking Schedule

Day 1: 5 hours 10 minutes (Stay overnight Karamatsu Hut)
Day 2: 8 hourrs

[novo-map id=2 individual=”yes”]

Outdoor Japan logo tree

Related

Latest posts

Categories