Day-2 Into the Wild: Trekking to Mt. Tsurugidake in the Northern Japan Alps 北アルプス剱岳

Let's go into the adventurous wilderness!

Table of Contents

Murodo 室堂
Mikurigaike Pond ミクリガ池
Jigokudani Valley 地獄谷
Raichozawa Hyutte 雷鳥沢ヒュッテ (Lodge)
Raichozawa Camp Site 雷鳥沢キャンプ場
Snow Grouse 雷鳥
Tsurugigozengoya 剱御前小舎 (Lodge)
Tsurugizawa Camp Site 剱沢キャンプ場
Kenzanso 剣山荘 (Lodge)

Murodo 室堂

Map of The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan 国土地理院の地図

中部山岳国立公園

In many situations, the names of the mountain and its highest peak are the same in Japan. However, the name of Mt. Tateyama 立山 and its highest peak is not the same. The trail runs through three main peaks, whose names are

Mt. Oyama 雄山 (3003m 9852ft)
Mt. Oonanjiyama 大汝山 (3015m 9891ft)
Mt. Fuji-no-oritate 富士ノ折立 (2999m 9839ft).

* If you are a beginner hiker I recommend you choose those mountains instead of Mt. Tsurugidake 剱岳. However, this guidebook doesn't cover these mountains.

One of the Oyama Shrines 雄山神社 is located on the peak of Mt. Oyama 雄山

Both routes “turn left” and “go straight” connect to Mikurigaike Pond • Jigokudani Valley ミクリガ池 • 地獄谷. Please look over this map before you start walking.

Mikurigaike Pond ミクリガ池

This is a crater pond that is very popular with tourists. From June through October, on sunny days, the water turns the most beautiful shade of blue.

Mikurigaike Onsen Official Site : The highest Onsen in Japan

Welcome to Mikurigaike Onsen Mikurigaike-onsen, a hot spring lodge located in the highest alititude in Japan

Jigokudani Valley 地獄谷

DANGER! KEEP OUT!
Jigokudani Valley 地獄谷 is off limits because of volcanic gas. The volcanic activity has been increasing. There were other sightseeing trails at the bottom of the valley.

Cirque 圏谷カール — Cirque 圏谷（けんこく、カール）
It was formed by glacial erosion.
Follow the trail

Lodge name
RAICHOSO 雷鳥荘

Website (in Japanese)

らいちょう温泉雷鳥荘 | 雷鳥荘 | 立山 | 立山黒部アルペンルート | 室堂平 | 北アルプス | 黒部ダム

雷鳥荘は室堂から徒歩30分、雷鳥沢と左手に地獄谷が見える高台にあります。雷鳥沢周辺は高山植物も多く、天然記念物ライチョウも見られます。雷鳥荘自慢のかけ流し展望温泉からは雄大なパノラマが眺められる山小屋。

Raichozawa Hyutte 雷鳥沢ヒュッテ (Lodge)

Many people feel the same about the view of a lodge. As you are approaching the lodge, it gradually appears larger as compared to it looking great from afar. It is unfortunate that the lodge looks like a ruin up-close. Rooms and utilities in the lodge are old but clean.

Lodge name
RAICHOZAWA HYUTTE 雷鳥沢ヒュッテ

Website (in Japanese)

登山とハイキングの宿「雷鳥沢ヒュッテ」立山・地獄谷・みくりが池の山小屋

立山・地獄谷・みくりが池の登山には温泉のある山小屋「雷鳥沢ヒュッテ」をご利用ください。ロッジ立山連峰は台風＆雪害の為、今期営業の見込みが立っておりません。

Lodge name
TATEYAMA RENPO ロッジ立山連峰
It is (temporally?) closed.

Website is not available (in Japanese)

301 Moved Permanently

I recommend you use a pair of trekking poles when you there in July.

Raichozawa Camp Site 雷鳥沢キャンプ場

Raichozawa Camp Site (Raichosawa Camping Ground)
雷鳥沢キャンプ場 Raichozawa-camp-jou
500 yen / 1 person 1 night

At this camp site, there are bathrooms and a water supply which requires boiling for drinking.

~~You can also use the hot springs at the nearby lodge Raichozawa Hyutte 雷鳥沢ヒュッテ for 700 yen even if you are not a guest.~~
Their hot springs are for only the lodge guests because of the coronavirus.

Website of the camp site (in Japanese)

雷鳥沢キャンプ場

立山の美しい山々に囲まれた標高2,277mにある雷鳥沢キャンプ場。立山連峰や大日連山を見渡す景色、咲き誇る高山植物など、絶景が魅力のキャンプ場です。立山縦走や奥大日岳へ向かう登山者のベースキャンプやファミリーキャンプの場としても人気で、 8月のシーズン期にはカラフルなテントが立ち並びます。平地でテントも張りやすく、トイレ、炊事場など施設も充実、周辺の山小屋で温泉に入ることもでき、快適なキャンプ時間を過ごすことができるでしょう。キャンプ場から見える美しい壮大な山々の景色、季節ごとの色とりどりの美し...

ATTENTION!
Turn left after you cross the bridge. You shouldn't go to the right side. It is wrong way.

You should bring crampons until July or August.
Around tall mountains in Japan, more than 2000m (6561ft) above sea level, it still has a lot of snow on the trails in summer.

Snow Grouse 雷鳥

You might see a rare bird, such as, Snow grouse (Raicho 雷鳥) in the bush beside the trail. Snow Grouses usually don't fly. (They are not good at flying.) You shouldn't get to close or feed them.
Please observe them from a far, quietly.

かい～のhttps://t.co/Hyb5tMcv5Q

It's itchy around there.https://t.co/w5XL6m1YpV #剱岳 #雷鳥 #ライチョウ #北アルプス #Trekking #剣岳 #登山 #Hiking #RockPtarmigan pic.twitter.com/QpdL66Z3fK
— Sightseeing Guide in Japan by Hiroshi Satake (@JapanCourse) April 26, 2022

Tsurugigozengoya 剱御前小舎 (Lodge)

Lodge name
TSURUGIGOZENGOYA 剱御前小舎

Website (in Japanese)

https://www.tsurugigozengoya.net

Map of The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan 国土地理院の地図

水ポンプは、ゆっくり下まで踏み込んでご使用ください。
Please make sure that you press down on the water pump pedal slowly after using the toilet.

There are two trails from this fork to the lodge Kenzanso 剣山荘.
The left trail directly takes you to the lodge in 60 minutes, if the trail is not covered with snow.
The right trail goes to the lodge via a camp site and another lodge.

残雪期の為、剣山荘、剱岳へは
剱沢キャンプ場、剱沢小屋を経由して下さい→
If this massage board is placed, you should take the right route because there is still a lot of snow on the left side trail, and it hasn't been maintained yet.

After you pass through the lodge Tsurugigozengoya 剱御前小舎, you will see a great view of Mt. Tsurugidake 剱岳.

Please stick to the trail marked with pink or red flags like in the photo above.
Do not walk outside the trail as it is unsafe to do so and you may lose your way.

Tsurugizawa Camp Site 剱沢キャンプ場

Tsurugizawa Camp Site (Tsurugisawa Camping Ground)
剱沢キャンプ場 Tsurugizawa-camp-jou
2400m (7874ft) above sea level
500 yen / 1 person

Website of the camp site (in Japanese)

剱沢キャンプ場

日本百名山の一つに選ばれている、標高2,999mの剱岳。アルピニストにとって憧れの山のひとつともいわれ、「雪と岩の殿堂」と呼ばれるほどの雄大な山です。その剱岳に最も近く、登山のベースキャンプとして利用が多い剱岳キャンプ場。トイレ（バイオトイレ）と飲料可能な水場が揃っています。また、このキャンプ場の野営場管理所の建物には、診療所と富山県警察上市警察署剱沢警備派出所（山岳警備隊）や、近くには剱沢小屋もあり、快適で安心なキャンプを過ごすことができます。山々に囲まれたキャンプ場からは、針の山と呼ばれるほどの雄大...

Drinking water and bathrooms (toilets) are available but closed from November through June.

You should check in and pay the camping fee at Tsurugisawa-yaei-kanrijo 剱沢野営管理所 below.

Tsurugisawa-yaei-kanrijo 剱沢野営管理所 It is the reception of the camping site.
They don't offer food service. If you want to buy food, you need to walk to Tsurugisawa-goya 剱沢小屋 located 220m (722ft) away.

Tsurugisawa-hashutsujo 剱沢警備派出所 Tsurugisawa police station
It is next to Tsurugisawa-yaei-kanrijo 剱沢野営管理所.

This information board tells you condition of the trails such as closed routes, dangerous areas and areas where you need to use crampons.
You can ask the police about it, if you can’t read this information in Japanese.

Walk down to the lodges. Tsurugisawa-goya 剱沢小屋 → Kenzanso 剣山荘

Kenzanso 剣山荘 (Lodge)

Lodge name
KENZANSO 剣山荘

移転２

This lodge was renovated and the interior is the most beautiful and cleanest out of all the lodges I've seen in Japan, though the lodge is located near Mt. Tsurugidake 剱岳 in the wilderness in where you can't go by car.
You can refresh yourself with a shower after the long hike. It's so comfortable.

Seasonal business
Summer season (End of June - Early in October)

Camp site
There is no camp site near this lodge.
Use Tsurugizawa camp site (Tsurugisawa Camping Ground) 剱沢キャンプ場.

Maps

Map of The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan 国土地理院の地図

Reservation and Contact
Reservations are necessary, because this lodge controls the number of guests to ensure an enjoyable stay at the dormitories.

(While some lodges located in the Japanese alps or Mt. Fuji 富士山 are often over-crowded, especially from Friday to Sunday in summer; sometimes guests have to sleep shoulder-to-shoulder on a small mattress.)

If you don't speak Japanese and would like to book the lodge, the best way is by e-mail in English instead of by phone. They will reply in English.
You should receive a reply within 2 days. If you do not, resend your reservation after 2 days have passed, or please make reservations by phone.

kenzanso@mopera.net

Reservation office
TEL 076-482-1564
FAX 076-482-1565

Direct mobile phone numbers to the lodge
090-2372-5799 (Available from 1st June)
090-8967-9116 (Satellite phone)

Price (Dormitory)
• 1-night with dinner and breakfast 11000 yen
• 1-night with dinner 10000 yen
• 1-night without meals 7500 yen
• A lunch box instead of the breakfast 1000 yen
(including tax)

Breakfast is at 5:30 AM
Dinner is at 5:00 PM

Lodge capacity
160 persons

IMPORTANT
Inform the lodge as soon as possible if you need to cancel your reservation.

Check in
Please check in and pay the bill at this reception when you arrive at the lodge. (You can leave without checking out.)

You should take off your shoes in front of the reception of the lodge, and put on slippers when you are staying in the lodge. You should put your shoes in the shoe box in dry room next to the reception. You can freely use the room to dry your rain jacket and so on.

Menu
Prices are as of in 2017. It might be changed now.

Draft beer 900 yen
Canned beer (500ml 800 yen, 350ml 600 yen)
Coffee 500 yen
English tea 500 yen
Curry rice 1000 yen
Beef bowl 1000 yen
Chinese bowl 1000 yen (Chopped vegetables and bits of meat)
Cup noodles 500 yen
Cup udon noodles 500 yen
Oden 800 yen (Several piece of boiled food)
Non-alcohol drinks 400 yen to more
Sake 600 yen to more
Canned chuhai (cocktails) 500 yen
Milk 300 yen
A bottle of whiskey 1500 yen

There is no garbage can in this lodge. You can only return cans and plastic bottles that are sold by this lodge. Hand it to the staff member.

Those tables on the terrace are good for eating and drinking while viewing the mountain scenery. This place is 2470m (8103ft) above sea level.

The bathrooms of this lodge have hot showers, but no bathtubs. They cannot offer hot spring services, either.
The tap water of the sink space is safe to drink, and free of charge for the lodge guests.

The shower rooms close at 5:00 pm.

Note
You should plan to arrive at the lodge by 5:00 om at the latest, as that is when the shower rooms close, and dinner starts being served.

Approximate walking time to get to the hostel according to some hiking maps are from mid August for the trails without snow. Because there is still lots of snow on the trails prior to mid August, you should schedule plenty of time to be able to make your way through the entire trail.

This lodge offers only one kind of a set meal for each dinner and for each breakfast to be taken in the dining room.

A sample of dinner
Hamburger patty, Fried prawn, Grilled fish, Salad, Vegetables, Pickles and so on. These are subject to change.
You can get free refills of rice, miso soup and Japanese tea by yourself.

A sample of breakfast
Scrambled egg, Sausage, Seasoned fish, Salad, Vegetables, Pickles, Nori (Seasoned and dried sea vegetable) These are subject to change. You can get free refills of rice, miso soup and Japanese tea by yourself.
This breakfast was simple but I was satisfied.

After you've finished your dinner / breakfast, please leave your dishes on the table and leave the dining room.

This lodge is located near the peak of Mt. Tsurugidake 剱岳 among the lodges around this area.
When you reach the peak you may want to leave your baggage in the baggage room at the lodge. You don't need to ask the receptionist if you are the guest. You can freely leave it on an open shelf in the hallway.

You shouldn't keep it in your room because the room will require housekeeping in the morning. You can leave without checking out when you leave the lodge.
Then, when you come back from the peak you can enter the lodge again without permission from the receptionist and take your baggage.
Some people might think it is not secure but don't worry. In Japan, it is not likely that anyone (hikers) will steal your belongings.

This is a dormitory. There is sufficient bedding such as mattresses, blankets and pillows in the dormitory. You do not need to bring your own sleeping bag.

Information
When you would like to charge your smartphone, please ask the reception. There will most likely be no outlets in the guest rooms. Please refrain from using any outlets inside the hostel, such as in the dining room or hallway, without permission.

Smoking is prohibited in the lodge. 禁煙
The use of products causing fire or smoke is strictly prohibited in the lodge. 火気厳禁

Day-3 Climbing Up: Trekking to Mt. Tsurugidake in the Northern Japan Alps 北アルプス剱岳

Kenzanso 剣山荘 (Lodge) → Mt. Maetsurugi 前剱 → 9th Chain Point: Kani-no-tatebai カニのたてばい → Mt. Tsurugidake 剱岳

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