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Hakuba 3 Mountain Hiking Traverse and Ridge climbing

Hakuba 3 Mountain Hiking Traverse and Ridge climbing | undefined

Chikako, a local JMGA mountain guide, takes you on a wonderful hiking traverse in the 3 mountains of Hakuba, in Nagano Prefecture.

Japan Alps

3 Days

Jul - Sep


Description

Enjoy beautiful sceneries of the North Japan Alps in this 3-day hiking trip to the mountains around Hakuba.

The village of Hakuba stands in northwestern Nagano, at the foot of a group of three mountains known as 'Hakuba-Sanzan'. 

The area is popular for its ski resorts (in fact, it's one of Japan's most popular winter destinations) and also for its trekking trails with great views of the Japan Alps.

I propose a 3-day hiking traverse starting from Hakuba Happo, one of the major ski resorts in the region. We'll stay in different mountain huts for the night: Karamatsu Hut and Hakuba hut. Besides, we'll hike in 2 of the 3 Hakuba mountains: Mt Shiroumayari and Mt Shakushi.

But the highlight of this trip will be passing a spot called 'Kaerazu no Ken', which means 'Sword of no return’. This is a very steep section of great technical difficulty and danger between Karamatsu hut and Mt Tengu.

This hiking trip requires you to be in a very good fitness level. You should be able to hike between 3 and 8 hours every day.

Please contact me if you want to join me on this hiking traverse in Hakuba. I assure you it will be a wonderful experience!

Looking for other hiking trips in Japan? Explore the 'Omote Gimza' climbing route for some amazing views of the North Japan Alps, or enjoy a 3-day hiking traverse in the Yatsugatake mountains.

Price includes

  • Guiding fee
  • Mountain guide expenses

Meeting point

Hakuba Happo

Itinerary

Day 1: Karamatsu Hut

Leave Hakuba Happo and stay overnight at Karamatsu Hut.

(Course time: ca. 3.5hrs)

Day 2: Hakuba hut

Leave Karamatsu Hut – Mt Shiroumayari – Mt Shakushi – stay overnight at Hakuba hut.

(Course time: ca. 8hrs)

Day 3: Descend mountain

Leave Hakuba hut – Hakuba Oike – Tsugaike Ropeway and descend mountain.

(Course time: ca. 6-7hrs)

 

Details

More info

You'll have to add your expenses to the price: JPY 30,000

  • 2 nights mountain hut stay (half board)
  • lunch boxes
  • transport taxi from tail end to beginning

This expenses need to be paid on the spot.


About the guide

Guide profile image

Chikako

5.0

(97)

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

Gemma

How did we get so lucky to find Chika? We honestly couldn’t have asked for a better guide for our family’s Mount Fuji adventure. Chika is a local who knows Mount Fuji, its history and the surrounding area incredibly well. She’s climbed Fujisan hundreds of times in all sorts of conditions, and has extensive hiking and guiding experience around the world. Her local knowledge is second to none. For months before our climb, Chika supported us with planning and preparation, making sure we had the right equipment, understood what we were taking on and were as prepared as possible. She helped us navigate the changing rules and regulations around climbing Fuji and organised our mountain hut accommodation. As a family of four, with two boys aged 12 and 13, and very little hiking experience between us, we really couldn’t have done this without her. What I appreciated most was how she recognised that we all had different physical and psychological challenges, and supported each of us individually. She connected so well with the boys, understood what each of them needed and knew when to encourage us, when to slow down and when to reassess. We felt incredibly safe and supported the entire time. Her experience, judgement and preparation gave us so much confidence, particularly knowing she had the skills and first aid equipment to manage things if something went wrong. There were also so many little things that made a difference. She shared local tips and stories, helped us understand the mountain and Japanese culture, and took so many beautiful photos and videos of our family along the way, which she shared with us afterwards. We didn’t quite make it to the summit, but we made it an incredible distance up Fuji and were supported to make the right decision to descend when we did. We experienced the mountain in a way I still find difficult to put into words. It was beautiful, challenging and something none of us will ever forget. I think what makes Chika such a wonderful guide is that she brings together an extraordinary amount of experience and local knowledge with a genuine understanding of people. She isn’t just getting you up a mountain. She’s looking after you, helping you manage the challenges and making sure you get the most out of the experience, whatever that ends up looking like. We are so grateful we found her. I couldn’t recommend Chika more highly, families or people taking on Mount Fuji for the first time or very experienced climbers would benefit from her support, confidence, gentle presense and experience. Thank you Chika, we will never forget you and hope to see you again one day. Gemma and Family - Australia.

Vicente

Chikako, es una gran profesional, amable y simpatica. Pudimos disfrutar de una subida al Fuji por la ruta Yoshida de forma tranquila, nos guiaba excepcionalmente todo dentro del horario previsto. Y en la cima nos obsequio con un maravilloso cafe. Sin duda altamente recomendable. Gracias

Monica

I can’t rave about this experience enough! Of course hiking Mt. Fuji was incredible but Chika made the experience! From initial booking to days leading up to the trip, Chika’s communication was incredibly helpful, prompt, and detailed so that I would be ready! She kept a close eye on weather and updated me every day leading up to the hike. I trusted her judgement off and on the mountain. She was also just a very nice person I truly enjoyed talking to. I couldn’t be happier with this experience and would recommend Chika over and over again!

Megha

Chika was amazing - very knowledgable, organized and thought of every little detail. I had not got time to prepare for the hike and was a bit nervous but Chika guided the entire ascent and descent with detailed planning, frequent reminders, tips on what to take, eat and prep work prior to the trip, and made the entire experience very enjoyable. I summited on my birthday and saw the most spectacular sunrise - I am very glad I did the climb with Chika!

Sune

En fantastisk guide som tänkte på allt.


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