Tateyama Three Peaks Circuit in the Japanese Alps
Explore the Tateyama Three Peaks Circuit in Japan’s Northern Alps on a private trek led by certified local guide Hama. Starting from Matsumoto and reaching Murodo via the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, this guided hike combines sacred summits, dramatic alpine scenery, and expert local support.
Private
Japan Alps
2 Days
Jun - Oct
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Hike the classic Tateyama Three Peaks Circuit across Mt. Oyama, Mt. Jodo, and Mt. Bessan.
- Explore Murodo’s alpine scenery, shaped by snow, volcanic landscapes, hot springs, and sacred mountain traditions.
- Look for rock ptarmigan and seasonal alpine flowers, with private guiding and Matsumoto-to-Murodo logistics.
Description
Discover the beauty of the Tateyama Three Peaks Circuit, a classic alpine trek in Japan’s Northern Alps. This private guided trip takes you across three sacred summits in the Tateyama Range: Mt. Oyama, Mt. Jodo, and Mt. Bessan, with access through the spectacular Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
The journey begins with a hotel night in Matsumoto, followed by a guide vehicle transfer to Ogizawa and onward travel to the high-altitude Murodo Plateau, the gateway to the route. From there, you’ll explore dramatic mountain landscapes, volcanic scenery, alpine trails, and the rich spiritual heritage of the Tateyama area, all with the support of a professional private guide.
With thoughtful acclimatization planning, flexible route decisions, and expert local guidance, this trek is a rewarding way to experience one of Japan’s most iconic alpine regions.
Join this private Tateyama Three Peaks Circuit trek and discover the sacred mountains of the Japanese Alps with Hama and his guide team.
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Transportation start and back
Price details
- Private guiding by Hama & Guides’ Team
- Pretrip consultation and planning support
- Guide vehicle transfer from Matsumoto to Ogizawa on Day 1
- return transfer from Ogizawa to Matsumoto after the hike, or to a nearby destination such as Hakuba when feasible
- *NOT INCLUDED*
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
- Day 0 hotel in Matsumoto
- Participant accommodation during the trip
- Guide’s accommodation expenses, paid by guests, estimated at JPY 15,00017,000 depending on the facility and room arrangement
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route tickets
- Meals, snacks, drinks, and lunch boxes
- Travel insurance
- Personal hiking equipment
- Local transport fares, except for the standard guide vehicle transfers listed above
- * Extra costs due to weather, route or accommodation changes, transport disruption, illness, injury, or participantrequested changes
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival in Matsumoto
Arrive in Matsumoto and spend the night at a hotel in town. If schedules allow, the guide may meet the group for a pre-trip briefing and gear check. Doing this on Day 0 can help the group start earlier and more smoothly the next morning.
Day 1: Matsumoto to Murodo via Ogizawa
Meet the guide in Matsumoto. If the gear check was not done the previous day, the meeting will usually be around 10:00 AM for the briefing, equipment check, and any last-minute purchases.
If the group already completed the gear check on Day 0, the meeting can be around 8:00 AM, followed by a guide vehicle transfer to Ogizawa.
From Ogizawa, continue along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route to reach the Murodo area. Overnight will be in a mountain accommodation such as Mikurigaike Onsen, Raichoso, or Murodo Sanso, depending on availability. If there is enough time before check-in, the guide may include a short hike around Murodo for acclimatization and orientation. Dinner and overnight in Murodo.
Day 2: Tateyama Three Peaks Circuit and Return Transfer
After breakfast, start the Tateyama Three Peaks Circuit from the Murodo area. The exact route may be adjusted by the guide according to weather, wind, trail conditions, timing, and group ability.
After the hike, return to Ogizawa via the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, then transfer by guide vehicle back to Matsumoto to finish the trip. If guests are continuing to another nearby destination, such as Hakuba, the guide may be able to transfer them there instead when feasible.
Estimated hiking time without breaks: 6 hr 23 min Distance: 8.4 km / 5.2 mi Elevation gain: 1,063 m / 3,488 ft Elevation loss: 1,008 m / 3,307 ft
_______________________________________________
Please note that the guide may adjust the route or schedule for safety reasons, depending on weather, wind, Alpine Route operations, hut availability, participant fitness, and the overall ability of the group.
Details
Accommodation
Mountain Hut with Hot spring (Onsen)
Disclaimer
Safety is the top priority throughout the trip. The Tateyama Three Mountains area is a true alpine environment, where conditions can change quickly and may include strong wind, rain, lightning, cold temperatures, damaged trails, fatigue, altitude effects, and other mountain hazards.
Although the itinerary is planned in advance, the guide will make all safety-related decisions based on professional judgment and the conditions at the time. This may include adjusting the route, slowing the pace, descending early, turning the group around, changing accommodation, using a different trail, or skipping certain sections if needed.
The planned hiking route and summit objectives are not guaranteed. Participants must stay with the group and follow the guide’s instructions at all times. If weather, wind, Alpine Route operations, or accommodation availability change before or during the trip, the itinerary may be adjusted accordingly.
More info
Participants should have recent hiking experience, ideally within the last 3 months, and feel comfortable hiking for around 6-7 hours on alpine mountain trails. Good fitness is important, as the route includes sustained ascents and descents on rocky terrain.
Before the trip, all participants must complete a mandatory pre-trip questionnaire. This allows the guide to review fitness, experience, equipment, health considerations, and food requirements before giving final guidance.
Participants should also be prepared for mountain-style accommodation with simple facilities. Vegetarian or vegan meals may not always be fully available, so guests with these diets should bring suitable dehydrated food or their own meals. Anyone with food allergies must inform the guide in advance so the accommodation can be notified.
Each participant must bring appropriate hiking footwear, rainwear, warm layers, a backpack, headlamp, enough water capacity, snacks, and personal essentials. The guide may adjust the route if the group’s fitness, equipment, health, pace, or overall ability does not match the planned itinerary.
About the guide
Hama & Guides’ Team
4.5
(36)
Guide Agency
Languages
English | Japanese
Certificates
JMGA | UIMLA
What people are saying about Hama & Guides’ Team
Natalie
Hama doesn’t just show you Japan’s trails — he brings them to life. An incredible guide with genuine warmth, deep local knowledge, and an eye for the moments that make a trip memorable
Bethany
We had such an incredible experience hiking the Japanese Alps on our honeymoon and we are so thankful to Hama for making it extra special for us. Hama changed the route based on our experience, which opened up new challenges and beautiful scenery for us which we are grateful for. He is a very warm, kind and interesting person and we enjoyed sharing stories and cultural exchanges. He helped us hire equipment, booked mountain huts, and also stopped by an onsen after the hike. He went out of his way to make it as smooth as possible. It was invaluable to have his expertise and we felt very safe despite the snowy conditions. He has given us the confidence to go on more hiking trips. We absolutely loved his company. His love for Japan's incredible landscape shines through, and we cannot recommend him more highly as a guide.
Hayley
Hama was a wonderful guide for our 2-day Kumano Kodo trip. He was attentive to our needs and desires, and flexible to what we wanted from the trip. Hama speaks English well and was very knowledgeable about many topics, which made the experience much richer. The cultural exchange was great as we stayed at an onsen. The scenery and area are really spectacular and worth the long trip to get there.
Amelia
Hama is truly exceptional. He is patient, deeply knowledgeable, and remarkably well organized. Every aspect of the trip was thoughtfully planned and everything he arranged was of the highest quality. His knowledge of the trail is extraordinary. Every fact and story he shared added color and meaning to the journey in a way I never could have experienced alone. As a solo female traveler and a first-time through-hiker, finding a guide I could genuinely trust was incredibly important to me. Hama’s healthcare background, his love of hiking, and his friendly demeanor immediately gave me confidence. I felt completely safe in his care. I was also deeply grateful for the accommodations he arranged; many required a Japanese speaker to book, and I would not have been able to experience these authentic places on my own. Although this was my fifth trip to Japan, it felt like I was experiencing the country in an entirely new and more immersive way. On the final day, when I was exhausted and questioning whether I could continue, Hama struck the perfect balance between setting realistic expectations and encouraging me to keep going. His steady support made all the difference and I truly don’t think I could have completed the journey without him. I’m so grateful for his guidance! He made the experience not only seamless, but profoundly meaningful. I hope I can travel again with Hama in the future!
Chloe
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