Mt. Tateyama (立山）
Mt. Tateyama is the highest peak in Toyama Prefecture, and one of the 3 sacred mountains of Japan (after Mt. Fuji and Hakusan). Its easy access via the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route ensures a healthy swath of tourists for most of the year.
The hike: From the bus terminal at Murodo, follow the paved path and signposts (and crowds) to Ichi-no-koshi Hut (一ノ越山荘), which sits on a saddle between the summit of Tateyama and Mt. Ryuou （龍王岳). It’s only a 200m vertical climb to the saddle, and it should take an hour or so. From here, turn left and start the real climb to the summit. The path is well-marked and there are lots of rocks to scramble over. It should take an hour or so to reach the rest house just below the summit of Oyama (雄山). There’s a spur trail leading to the shrine on the summit, but you’ve got to pay 500 yen to enter. After offering some coinage to the mountain deities, continue on the trail to the left of the shrine torii, following the rocky ridge line. You’ll reach the high point, Onanji (大汝山), in about 20 minutes. The views over the cliff edges down to Kurobe lake are unbelievable. If the weather is good then you’ll have a clear view over to Mt. Tsurugi, as well as the peaks of Hakuba across the valley. Either retrace your steps back to Murodo, or continue on the same trail, turning left at the next junction for an alternative loop trail back to the bus terminal via Raicho-daira (雷鳥平). Don’t forget to have a soak at Mikuri-ga-ike Hot Spring (みくりが池温泉). Click here for the website in Japanese.
When to go: This hike can be done from mid April to late November, when the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route is open. Expect lots of snow if hiking before April and after mid-October. Click here to see the beautiful scenery during Golden Week. A winter hike is also possible if you’re prepared for meters of snow and a long, tough climb.
Access: From Dentetsu Toyama station (電鉄富山駅) take a local train bound for Tateyama (立山) and get off at the last stop. From there, change to the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, taking a cable car and then bus to Murodo (室堂). Click here for English information, including a detailed timetable.
Live web cam: Click here
Level of difficulty: 2 out of 5 (elevation change 615m).
Explore posts in the same categories: ArchiveTags: hiking, Hyakumeizan (百名山), japan, Kita Alps hikes (北アルプス), Mt. Tateyama
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September 24, 2010 at 3:47 am
Hi,
From your experience, do you think the time around Oct. 17-18 would already have too much snow on the mountain for non-professional climbers to safely climb?
September 24, 2010 at 6:07 am
Eran,
I checked the web cam, comparing the previous 5 years worth of images taken on October 17th. Based on that data, you’ve got a 60% chance of encountering snow on the peak. (no snow in 2005 or 2008, but a dusting in 2007 and last year). However, please keep in mind that this is a “La Nina” year, which means we’re probably in for a long, cold, snow-filled winter.
If there’s a dusting of snow, then you can do the peak with a light pair of crampons, but if the peak is snowed under, then you’ll need full crampons, an ice axe, and ropes.
I guess the best advice would be to keep an eye on the weather in the weeks and days building up to the 17th, and make a final decision on the 15th or 16th. You should have a back-up plan as well (another smaller peak that you could climb in case conditions are not good)
I hope this helps
Wes
September 24, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Helps a lot.
Thanks
October 15, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Hi again Wes,
any suggestions about those smaller peaks as alternatives to Tateyama? Something in the vicinity. I have a car so accessibility is less of a problem, and preferably something with a hut along the way.
Any recommendations off the top of your mind?
Thanks again.
October 6, 2010 at 10:49 am
Hi, I’m planning to hike the Murodododaura hiking route on the 16th October. Will there be a lot of snow on this route? I have never hike on snow before?
October 6, 2010 at 9:45 pm
KC,
Snow depth varies year by year. As of now (October 6, 2010) there is no snow on Tateyama, though that could change soon. My best advice to you is to continually check both the live web cam and the weather forecast frequently in the days prior to your trip.
October 16, 2010 at 9:29 am
Eran,
I would suggest Hakusan but the summit hut is already closed for the season. Mountain huts usually keep their upper floors open as emergency huts in the winter season though.
Amakazari is an awesome hike in the autumn, though there aren’t any huts on the summit itself (it’s usually done as a day hike) but there’s plenty of places to stay at both trailheads.
If you want to go further into Niigata, then I recommend the Myoko/Hiuchi loop.
Where are you based exactly? In Toyama? You could also consider doing some hiking around Keyaki-daira in Kurobe gorge.
When are you thinking of going? There’s still no snow on the higher peaks yet, as the temperatures have been pretty mild for October. That could change in the coming weeks.
Wes
February 17, 2011 at 4:52 pm
it’s an amazing route, great scenery
http://www.japansugoi.com/wordpress/amazing-tateyama-kurobe-alpine-route-yuki-no-otani-snow-canyon/
April 16, 2013 at 11:43 am
Hi,
From your experience, would it be advisable to bring my kids (3 & 1.5 years old) along for this hike in mid June?
April 26, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Dennis,
Thanks for checking out the site and for the question. I think that mid-June will be too early to bring along the kids. There will still be A LOT of snow around Tateyama. The ridges will very likely be clear, but getting up to the ridge from Murodo will be a long slog in the rotting snow. It should be fine for you, but I worry about the smaller children (if you carry them it would be ok, but two kids to carry may be too much).
I hope it helps. Check the web cam to get an idea of how much snow there still remains. I went to Tateyama in mid-July and most of it was still buried under snow