Tateyama, one of Japan's "Three Holy Mountains" alongside Mount Fuji and Mount Haku, stands at 3,015 meters in the Northern Japanese Alps. Known for its spiritual significance and natural beauty, Tateyama is a major destination for both pilgrims and hikers. The mountain offers stunning alpine landscapes, hot springs, and the famous "Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route," which features towering snow walls in spring.
Tsurugi-dake is one of Japan's most challenging and iconic peaks, standing at 2,999 meters in the Northern Japanese Alps. It is known for its rugged terrain, steep ridges, and knife-edged paths. The mountain offers breath-taking views and attracts experienced mountaineers seeking an adrenaline-filled adventure. Unlike more accessible peaks, Tsurugi-dake requires technical climbing skills and is not recommended for beginners. Its beauty and difficulty make it a legendary peak.
🌐 Trail information: The Japan Alps
🧗 Tsurugi detailed route guide: The Japan Alps
🗺️ Map: Yamap
🌦️ Weather check: Mountain forecast | Tenkura
🪪 Permits & Regulations: N.A.
🟢 Trailhead (Start Point): 賽の河原
Access from Nagano:
🚌 Bus from: Hotel Metropolitan Nagano (8am) OR Nagano Sta. East Exit (8:15am) ➡️ Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
💲 Bus fare: 3,700 yen (one-way from Nagano to Ogizawa)
💲 Route fare: 12,300 yen (round-trip from Ogizawa to Murodo)
💲 Bus fare: 1,650 yen (one-way from Ogizawa to Shinano-Omach)
Access from Toyama:
🚃 Train from Toyama Chiho railroad to Tateyama Station ➡️ Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
💲 Train fare: 1,230 yen (one-way)
💲 Route fare: 7,380 yen (round-trip from Tateyama to Murodo)
🔴 Trail End (Finish Point): 立山室堂
(Source: Yamap)
Date: 30 September 2024
Start: 12:35 / End: 15:30
Hut: Kenzanso (13,000 yen with dinner & hot shower)
I took the earliest bus from Nagano Station at 8am and reached Murodo around 12:10pm. Bought a pork bun and hot drink for lunch, and energy jelly before starting the hike. I thought I will be late for hut check-in which is usually 4pm.
13:04 View of Raicho campsite from Murodo
13:14 Bridge to Tsurugi trailhead
13:50 Looking down from the other side
15:17 Almost reaching Kenzanso
15:20 Kenzanso with Tsurugi-dake
15:28 Kenzanso
15:31 Reached Kenzanso
17:31 Bessan in front of Kenzanso
17:40 My dinner time, 2nd batch
Date: 1 October 2024
Start: 5:15 / End: 17:42
Lap 1: Kenzanso - Tsurugi-dake - Kenzanso (5h)
Lap 2: Kenzanso - Bessan - Tateyama - Murodo (5h 20m)
Hut: Tateyama Murodo Sanso (12,100 yen with dinner & hot bath)
I didn't get to buy breakfast and snacks from Murodo but I bought an energy jelly. Didn't had any breakfast before starting the climb as I was still full from dinner the night before. I ran low in energy when I almost reached the peak and had the energy jelly. Guess it worked well!
2 hikers were asking me about my route when I was descending from Bessan. They seemed shocked that I was heading to Tateyama and Murodo. Upon learning that I had accommodation booked in Murodo, they looked relieved.
While heading towards Masago, I crossed path with a hiker who recognised me from Tsurugi-dake and asked about my plan. It was 3pm then, and he commented that it will be dark (sunset is 5:40pm) by the time I reach Tateyama and was concerned. I reassured him that I have headlamp and will be fine.
Well, glad that I was usually quite fast, and the terrain wasn't technically difficult, except for the brutal descend.
5:18 Trail to Tsurugi-dake behind Kenzanso
5:44 Sunrise at Ippuku-Tsurugi
5:53 Magificient Tsurugi
6:24 Never ending ups and downs
6:28 Long chain up
6:29 Looking back down
6:42 The peak ahead
6:45 Rested here for a while, looking at others climbing the wall
7:40 I came from the other side. No chain, just lean body inwards. (These 2 hikers went the wrong way.)
7:45 Hikers on top and mid-section. Zoom in.
7:47 That foreigner deliberately went the other side to "rock-climb".
7:55 Looking down at the pins, and other hikers' heads.
8:20 The roof of the peak shrine
8:24 At peak of Tsurugi-dake
8:42 Fujisan from Tsurugi-dake
9:08 Descending via a different route
9:26 Climbing up to descend
9:35 Tateyama peaks & Bessan
10:46 Looking back at Tsurugi-dake
10:53 Cleared all the difficult sections
11:14 Back at Kenzanso Hut and had cup noodles for lunch.
12:05 Left Kenzanso and this is 5 minutes after walking
12:17 View of Bessan
12:17 View of Tsurugi-dake
12:30 Tsurugisawa Hut
12:34 Small pond beside the hut
13:19 On the way up Bessan
13:53 Shrine on Bessan
14:03 Peak of Bessan and Tsurugi-dake
14:26 3 peaks of Tateyama
15:17 Fujinooritate
16:01 Mt. O-nanji-yama (3,015m)
16:32 Mt. Oyama (3,003m)
16:33 Mt. Oyama shrine
16:53 Heading down
17:16 Sun setting
17:30 Golden hour
Shared room in Tateyama Murodo Sanso
Dinner at Tateyama Murodo Sanso
Tsurugi-dake (2,999m)
Tateyama O-nanji-yama (3,015m)
Tateyama Mt Oyama (3,003m)
** Cook system not used as Kenzanso provides hot water.
Decathlon rain cover
Plastic liner
Montbell Torrent rain jacket
Montbell down jacket
Montbell fleece jacket
Montbell neck gaiters
Mountain warehouse base top
Montbell base pants
Darn Tough socks
Sea to Summit towel
Montbell fleece gloves
Climbing gloves
Toak's 550 ml titanium pot
Toak's titanium spork
Lighter
Gas
Montbell bandana
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Comb
BB cream
Powder
Toilet paper
Bidet
Nitecore NU25 headlamp
Nitecore 10000mAH x 2
Cables: USB C, Micro, Garmin
Insta 360 & accessories
First aid & medicine kit
Nivea lip balm
Bear bell
Whistle
Swiss Army knife
Tiger flask 300ml
Water bottle 500ml
Montbell wallet & passport
Montbell cap
Sunglasses
Under Armour long sleeve
Decathlon pants
Decathlon gaiters
Toe socks
Handkerchief
Hoka trail runners
Black Diamond hiking poles