North Alps Trekking Tour to Kumonodaira, Japan
Discover a five‑day trek through the rugged Hida Range in Japan’s Chubu Sangaku National Park with the help of local certified guide Chikako! Summit Mt. Sofu, Suisho and Washiba, stay in traditional huts, and finish with a soak at Shin‑Hotaka Onsen—your ultimate Northern Japanese Alps adventure awaits!
Group
Hida Mountains
5 Days
Sep
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Trek through the remote and scenic Hida Range in Chubu Sangaku National Park
- Summit iconic peaks like Mt. Sofu, Mt. Suisho, and Mt. Washiba
- Stay in cozy, authentic Japanese mountain huts each night
Description
Hidden deep within the Northern Japanese Alps, Kumo-no-daira is one of Japan's most remote and awe-inspiring mountain destinations. Over five unforgettable days, we´ll journey through a landscape of dramatic ridgelines, pristine alpine valleys, and vast high-altitude plateaus, far from roads, crowds, and the everyday world.
From the gentle slopes of Tarō-daira to the iconic peaks of Mt. Suisho and Mt. Washiba, each day reveals a new perspective on this extraordinary wilderness. Nights are spent in traditional mountain huts, sharing meals and stories while surrounded by some of Japan's most spectacular alpine scenery.
For hikers seeking a true mountain journey rather than simply reaching a summit, this traverse through Kumo-no-daira offers one of the finest trekking experiences in Japan.
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Mountain guide expenses
Price details
- Not included:
- Mountain hut accommodation fees (approximately ¥70,000 total for 4 nights including breakfast and dinner; payable directly to the guide during the trip)
- Accommodation in Toyama before the trip
- Personal expenses
- Lunches and snacks during the trek
- Optional souvenirs at mountain huts
- Toilet donation fees
- Hot spring entry fee after the trek
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Oritate to Tarō-daira Hut
We will meet at 7:00 AM inside Toyama Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen), near the entrance of the 7-Eleven. After meeting, we will drive to the Oritate trailhead and begin our ascent to Tarō-daira Hut.
Distance: 6.2 km
Ascent: 1,000 m
Descent: 50 m
Time: Approximately 4.5 hours
Lunch: Please bring your own lunch for the first day.
Day 2: Tarō-daira Hut to Kumo-no-daira Hut
Today´s route follows one of the most scenic sections of the trek as we descend to Yakushizawa and continue through remote alpine terrain to Kumo-no-daira Hut.
Distance: 7.9 km
Ascent: 780 m
Descent: 550 m
Time: Approximately 5 hours 20 minutes
Lunch: Bento lunch recommended.
Day 3: Mt. Sofu, Mt. Suisho, and Mt. Washiba Traverse
We leave Kumo-no-daira Hut and climb to Mt. Sofu and Mt. Suisho before stopping at Suisho Hut. We then continue across Mt. Washiba and descend to Mitsumata Hut. This is the most demanding and rewarding day of the trek, featuring spectacular alpine scenery throughout.
Distance: 10.3 km
Ascent: 900 m
Descent: 940 m
Time: Approximately 7 hours
Lunch: Light meals may be available at Suisho Hut, or you may bring a bento lunch.
Day 4: Mitsumata Hut to Kagami-daira Hut
Today´s route traverses Mt. Sugoroku, offering expansive views across the Northern Alps before reaching Kagami-daira Hut.
Distance: 7.9 km
Ascent: 590 m
Descent: 860 m
Time: Approximately 4 hours 45 minutes
Lunch: Available at Sugoroku Hut.
Day 5: Descent to Shin-Hotaka Onsen
Our final day takes us down through beautiful mountain forests to Shin-Hotaka Onsen, where the trek concludes.
Distance: 8.5 km
Ascent: 30 m
Descent: 1,200 m
Time: Approximately 3 hours 45 minutes
Lunch: Optional meal or snack at Wasabi-daira Hut or after arriving in Shin-Hotaka Onsen.
Details
Accommodation
Mountain Huts:
- Day 1: Tarō-daira Hut
- Day 2: Kumo-no-daira Hut
- Day 3: Mitsumata Hut
- Day 4: Kagami-daira Hut
Please note that mountain huts on this route do not have shower facilities.
More info
This trip is available only on the scheduled September group departure date.
Equipment you will need to bring
Participants should have previous hiking experience and be comfortable walking for several consecutive days in mountainous terrain while carrying a backpack.
Equipment List: - Rain jacket and rain pants (required) - Hiking boots (high-cut boots recommended) - 40L backpack - Headlamp - Gloves and spare gloves - Hat or cap - Spare socks - Fleece or down jacket - Spare clothing (base layers, socks, etc.) - Water bottle or hydration system (minimum 1.5L for Day 1) - Snacks and energy food -Disposable toilet bags (some provided by the guide) - Sleeping bag liner (optional but recommended) - Toothbrush - Small towel - Sunscreen - Sunglasses
Most mountain huts do not accept credit cards, so please bring sufficient Japanese cash for personal expenses.
About the guide
Chikako
5.0
(91)
Mountain Guide
I am a Mt Fuji guide and a backcountry ski guide, certified by the JMGA. I was born in Tokyo but currently live in Fuji-Yoshida city, located at the foot of Mt Fuji. Teaching was something that interested me since my school years, and thus chose to join a specialized college for coaching, instructorship, and sports biology, where I also started climbing and skiing in the mountains. After my graduation, I worked as a ski patrol for 10 years, 5 of which I worked through the year - Hakuba in the winter (of northern hemisphere) and in Methven, New Zealand in the summer (of northern hemisphere), and a backcountry ski guide for 10 years.
My main and favourite field of guiding is on and around Mt Fuji, but backcountry skiing is my favourite mountain sports! I guide backcountry skiing mainly around Hakuba areas but also have been a guide in Hokkaido for 2 years, and know Furano and Niseko areas very well. I also currently teach Japan Avalanche Network level 1 courses on avalanche risks and safety. I also enjoy rock climbing in my free time and love to share with you the beauty of the Japanese mountains through my favourite guiding routes, let it to be in trekking the mountains, snowshoeing with an onsen stay or backcountry skiing in Hakuba areas!
For me, mountains are a part of my life. It teaches me upsides and downsides of life, and I want guests to join me in this environment to realize the conveniences that surround us in our ordinary life and to be grateful of everything that lets us live.
I guide visitors from abroad quite frequently. Contact me if you’re also up for fun mountain adventures!!
Languages
Japanese | English
Certificates
JMGA
What people are saying about Chikako
Tony
Chika was excellent! From the pickup at our hotel to drop off after she was extremely helpful, kind and knowledgeable. Her expertise in mountaineering is very apparent. She set a very good pace and helped me summit Fuji, which was a lifelong goal of mine. I could not be more happy with the trek. I could not recommend her as a guide more highly.
Anda
My guide, Chikako M., was amazing, nice, talkative, knowledgeable, strong and very well prepared. We hiked Mt Fuji two days after the first snow, so the path was well covered. Half way through the hike, the poles were almost completely covered in snow. Chikako set an amazing pace for climbing to the top, not too fast, not too slow, but a pace you could keep constantly without losing breath. After reaching the top, sun came out. Our descent was towards the sunshine with amazing views. What a great time we had!
Jerome
The weather started out sunny but quickly became very windy and rainy. My guide was absolutely excellent, coaching me, taking breaks, filming me, and helping me when I had a leg cramp. She was very personable, Friendly, informative and simply delightful. Highly recommended!!
Derek
We had an amazing excursion thanks to our guide!!!
Amy
Chika was phenomenal! I really enjoyed the hike, it was beautiful made all the better by Chika. Highly recommend and will be sending all my friends to her!
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