Hiking in Japan: Above the Clouds on Mt. Shirouma | japan-guide.com
We attempt one of the most unique hikes in Japan, Mount Shirouma near Hakuba. The trek includes ascending a legendary snow field, multiple peaks, staying overnight in a mountain hut, and bathing in one of the highest hot springs in Japan.
- Read the full travel report: www.japan-guide.com/blog/peak...
- Learn more about hiking in Japan: www.japan-guide.com/e/e2427.html
- Video Credits -
Host & Narrator: Joe Mignano
Videographer: Andrew Marston
Producers: Stefan Schauwecker & Export Japan
Пікірлер: 200
This video is fantastic and inspired me to do this same hike in late August of 2019. Some advice for people tackling this for the first time. Give yourself plenty of time. This is a strenuous hike up that is very steep and rocky at points. There are several stream and waterfall crossings that require your undivided attention and can be quite slippery. The second day is actually more challenging than day one. Hitting the two peaks in the morning and then descending to the Onsen is quite a workout. The downhill here is again very rocky terrain that requires navigating some slippery waterfall descents using chains bolted into rocks. And keep in mind that when you finish up at the Onsen you still have quite a ways back to the lodge where the bus dropped you. This portion was long and challenging as there were both several hills you had to hike up to get to the bottom of the mountain. Definitely factor in plenty of time in order to get back to the last bus pickup at 3:10pm. Or you can take a taxi for 4 times the prices back to Hakuba station... at least it is an option. This is a challenging trek and you need to be prepared with proper equipment and be in good physical shape. The video makes it out to be a lot easier. Also, you can book the top mountain lodge, Hakuba sanso online. They have a website and staff that can respond in English. There are different types of accommodations as well, so be sure and ask why types of rooms are available. Overall this is a very rewarding hike with world class scenery. Cheers!
@claudevelo
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for giving this advice.
@Ebhen1
4 жыл бұрын
That was good advice! Thank you for that. I didn't think it was that easy but it is good to get a confirmation about it. I plan to go here to on my next trip to Japan 2021 but I will check for other good targets as well. :) Thanks again.
@chilly2171
Жыл бұрын
Is it safe for solo?
Just did this same route last week. FYI to anyone, ascent from Sarukuraso took us 8.5 hours and descent to Sarukuraso took 11 hours. Please keep this in mind!
@Ebhen1
4 жыл бұрын
That's really good to know. I was seriously thinking of doing that trip next time I go to Japan. It did look almost to easy in the video but I know that it isn't that easy. But if you are prepared it will go fine. Thanks for the advice.
*This* is the reason why I’m always out in Japan’s mountains. Sheer joy of being with nature and it’s breathtaking views!!
Hiked this last month. It is really breathtaking, and the video makes a good job at describing it. The hut at the summit also offers bento box for lunch and English is spoken. On the second day, an alternative to the proposed route is to hike towards Tsugaike. You'll pass by a mountain lake, more snow, a small yet thick forest and an almost swamp-like area. A gondola + a bus will bring you back to Hakuba.
@japanguide
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for bringing up the alternate route back to Hakuba! Very helpful. Any other hikes you would recommend?
@yurifaenza4890
5 жыл бұрын
Did not have the time to hike anywhere else in the Japan Alps unfortunately.
This is the best travel-Japan vlog & cinematic combined informative video I’ve ever seen!
The alps are beautiful! I have hiked its peaks multiple times and always get amazed by its beauty!
Shirouma dake was one of the best hikes we had in Japan! ♥️
Dang, that scenery! Great job on the trip and cinematography/editing as well!
@japanguide
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks Greg! - Andrew
Thank you very much for the purely breathtaking hiking trip to the rooftops of Japan ! 😀⛰🙏🏻 The Japanese Alps are an impressive mountain range with an unique charm and a rich natural diversity that offers also an incredible number of high summits. 😯🙌🏻 I love the hiking path as it's well maintained and marked.🚶🏻♂️👍🏻 Moreover, security seems to be an important point, which is very reassuring. 😌 Finally, I totally love the various lodges on the hiking path as they let us enjoy breaks while experiencing Japanese culture. 🏠💙 Many thanks to Joe Mignano for having achieved this athletic goal for us ! 😄👏🏻
@japanguide
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your nice comment! Glad you enjoyed the video!
永久保存版にしたい動画📼 最高でした👍
Excellent job, Joe, Andrew, et al. Great production quality. Keep up the good work!
Very beautiful...Japan is the best... very peaceful ,calm and quiet...Japanese people are very polite and helpful.. Thank you for uploading this beautiful video..
Awesome video! The filming is just incredible, I love all the time lapse too. I've been using japan-guide a lot to plan my trip to Japan so it was a pleasant surprise to find this was made by someone who writes and developes for it.
I love hiking and even more hiking in Japan. This is an awesome video!
OMG, nice high quality video. love the scene and definitely gonna try hike in japan one day!
Oh man, I always wanted to hike on Japan´s countryside and mountains. Beautiful country! Awesome video BTW. Thumbs up from Sweden!
this is awesome...one of the bucket list for sure
Beautiful !! Added it to my bucket list ! Thank you !
My wife and I just did this same route thanks to your video. It was incredible!!! Thank you so much for posting. We are now back at our hotel in Hakuba and our legs feel like jelly though lol.
@japanguide
4 жыл бұрын
Glad you had a good hike! The jelly legs should go away in a day or two. :-)
Japan definitely has some beautiful natural scenery
why is it so pretty!!! itching to hike 🤩🤩🤩
Wow this hike looks amazing! Added on my budget list for Japan!
Japan guide incredible all video...really Japan guide..GBU Japan guide
epic! man~ thanks for the upload.
Fantastic video, beutiful scenery and perfect work.
@japanguide
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks very much.
Amazing and informative video. I hope you can cover more exciting hike! :)
This "Yarigatake" is "白馬鑓ヶ岳". In Japan north Alps, thera are 3 "Yarigatake". Those are "槍ヶ岳Yarigatake" in south area, "鹿島槍ヶ岳Kashima-Yarigatake" in central and "白馬鑓ヶ岳 Shrouma-Yarigatake" in norsh zone. I think if you say only "Yarigatake", usuary, means 槍ヶ岳 in south area,
@estelagarcia6579
3 жыл бұрын
intisol68 Yes, this video confuse me, because the top of the Yarigadake that I know , is very very different!
Woow looks like an amazing hike 😍 I’ve got to plan a hiking trip to japan if it’s this beautiful 🤘🏔🤘
Mindblowing
Now this is Awesome 👏 🙌 ありがとございます
Love this adventure ❤
Fantastic video!
Incredible video, thank you so much!
love this
Fantastic video, incredibly well done. Made me realize I need to hike more.
@japanguide
6 жыл бұрын
"Japan is a hiker's paradise" as some would say :-)
Amazing. keep it going man
Thanks for this!!!
Nice video! I have planned to hike in Hakuba this October. This will be My second trip to Nagano. Just love Japanese mountains!
@japanguide
5 жыл бұрын
Have a good trip! Hakuba is beautiful.
Beautiful. Just like th european Alps. Although those huts look way more luxurious then the huts in th eAlps. Single room above 2000m. That's cool.
Good video! Thank you!
this is so amazing. I heard daisekke is one of the most dangerous ridgelines in Japan. the view from the top is breathtaking.
Did this same trail 2 days ago (November 15th) all lodges are closed and no support whatsoever. However we enjoyed Hakubayari Onsen all for ourselves. Awesome experience!
Beautiful presentation, video, photography.. I will certainly Visit next month .
@wantipaphokhao
6 жыл бұрын
When is the best season for this hiking ?!
@japanguide
5 жыл бұрын
Summer, ideally June through August.
Was looking for new things to do in Japan this summor... THIS... THIS IS WHAT I AM GONNE DO
@japanguide
5 жыл бұрын
Enjoy your trip this summer!
This is amazing! I thought my boyfriend and I might climb Mt. Fuji next summer but Mt. Shirouma might change my mind!
@japanguide
6 жыл бұрын
Great! Fuji can get quite crowded (although still an epic and worthwhile hike). If you decide to do Mt. Shirouma make sure to research it a bit beforehand. Hope you have a good trip!
Amazing video! It looks like an incredible hike!
@japanguide
6 жыл бұрын
It was as good as you see in the video, however this specific hike is not for the casual hiker as it raises about 1700m in elevation from the trailhead to the peak of Shirouma (this is more than hiking to the summit of Fuji from most of the 5th stations). However, the sunrise alone was worth the price of admission.
@adamboehm
6 жыл бұрын
japan-guide.com great to know!
@Yasunori_Sato
6 жыл бұрын
This particular hike is rated Level 73 at YamaQuest, while Mt Fuji from Yoshida Level 59. www.yamaquest.com/detail/shiromadake-2932/2830.html www.yamaquest.com/detail/fujisan-3776/2795.html
Hi great channel ☺ Keep it up!
very cool
We have plan this year ..... hopefully we can climb this mountain or Mt. yatsugatake
If you didn't have mentioned it was in Japan, I would have imagined you had been in Switzerland !
@daraa151
4 жыл бұрын
You go to north east Pakistan, it’s thousand times more beautiful than Switzerland!
@rainbowkitten8990
3 жыл бұрын
Yeti Really? Do we really need to compare? :/
sounds good video
Please make the longer videos in the future
looks like one of the trips of life :) hiking far places makes life so much richer , thanks for sharing this one :)
Great, descriptive video and incredible cinematography! I'm planning to go here between September 16th and 20th, depending on the weather. Any information or tips for that time of year would be greatly appreciated.
Been there
The mountain you climbed is Hakuba-yarigatake Mt.. In Japan it is another mountain to say "Yarigatake".
really awesome hope i can do that but don,t know how
epic! My adventures and retirement years is planned for Japan.
@japanguide
6 жыл бұрын
A good plan indeed.
Greath Video, i want to go there. :D
So beautiful! Thank you for taking us with you. Wish i had the chance to hike half a year through Japan. 😉 I am doing similar hikes in Germany. If you have the chance i would suggest you to visit german hiking sites - which we have a lot of. I made a hike all trough Germany from the sea up to the highest mountain, the Zugspitze, three years ago. You will not regret hiking here!
Awesome vid .. it's inspired me to do this hike when I visit japan in late August . Could you tell me roughly how long it took to hike from the bottom hut to the hut near the summit ? And also I see there are no buses from shinjuku to Hakuba in August . Is that right ?
Adding these onto my bucket list :)
Wow amazing watching frome manila your friend new on youtube channel
Thanks for sharing. Are beginners can manage to hike here? Planning to take a group this summer.
영상 진짜 잘 만들었다 ㅠㅠㅠ대박
That scenery wowww 😍 great video.. Btw is it possible to hike in december?
@japanguide
5 жыл бұрын
It is possible, but not advisable unless you are an experienced hiker with proper training and gear.
Was it forbidden to show the warm bath? This circuit is extremely beautiful.
That’s amazing, Does it necessary for booking the lodge in advance?
@japanguide
6 жыл бұрын
It is usually a good idea especially for the popular huts.
amazing!!! I'm thinking of adding this to my itinerary in late November, do you think the weather is still going to be permissible?
@japanguide
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your comment! We don’t recommend doing this hike in November, actually. By that time the mountain huts will be closed, most buses won’t be going to the trailhead, and there is a high possibility of encountering significant snow and ice. Only advisable if you have appropriate mountaineering equipment and training.
Beautiful video. Note that there are two different “Yarigatake” the other one is higher and more demanding
@joemignano
4 жыл бұрын
Confusingly, there are several "Yarigatake"'s in the Northern Japan Alps (let alone the ones in other regions!): 1) Yarigatake (3,180m - near Kamikochi) 2) Hakuba Yarigatake (2,903m - near Shirouma-dake, shown in this video) 3) Kashima Yarigatake (2,889m - just south of Mt. Goryu in Hakuba) By far the most well-known "Yari" (the one that comes to mind for most people if you just say "Yarigatake") is certainly #1, which is also a fantastic (and challenging!) hike: www.japan-guide.com/blog/peaks/171005.html.
@emisor73
4 жыл бұрын
@@joemignano Thanks Joe. Good information. I've been there a few times and still learning those beautiful mountains.
Красиво, хоть и я не знаю языка.👍
❤️
Huh, I didn't know there were two yarigatakes. I've climbed the famous yarigatake from kamikochi route, and it's an entirely different mountain.
I hope you can provide details such as transportation and estimated cost/expense on how to do this..I have been into Japan 3x and really would love to some hiking
@japanguide
5 жыл бұрын
The Alipco bus company runs daily highway buses between Shinjuku and Hakuba outside of winter (www.alpico.co.jp/en/transportation/detail.php?id=9 - get off at the Hakubacho stop, which is near JR Hakuba Station). From JR Hakuba Station, there are additional buses to the trailhead during hiking season (www.alpico.co.jp/access/hakuba/sarukura/ - look for buses going to Sarukura). Hope that helps!
Fantastic video and journey! Can I ask what you used to shoot the video footage?
@japanguide
6 жыл бұрын
+Michael Hoy thanks! We used two Nikon D750s. One with a Tamron 24-70 and another with a Nikkor 70-200.
@michaelhoy8260
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Looking forward to seeing future adventures
Wow very beautiful I will going there to first time to make hiking but what is the best season?
@japanguide
5 жыл бұрын
Definitely summer, ideally June through August.
@abdullahhanfar2657
5 жыл бұрын
japan-guide.com thank you so much 😊
Hi, can I ask which month you hiked? Is May and June too early?
Nice Video! Is it possible to do this without not speaking japanese? Are the paths well marked?
@japanguide
5 жыл бұрын
Yes, although mountain hut staff may not speak English and reservations for the hut are usually made via phone. Trails will be clearly marked though.
Tagalog = kahanga hanga! English = Awesome!
I just climbed Mt. Fuji a few days ago, and what I would like to know, is if this one is harder. While at Mt. Fuji the hike from the 5th station to the summit goes up ca. 1500m in elevation, this one apparently goes up ca. 1700m, wich is a good bit more, and you do it in about the same time or even less and without having an extended rest after 2/3 of the ascend, while this one does seem a good but less steep (which also mean you have to hike a greater distance), does that realy make it that much easier than Mt. Fujii? Because he doesn't even seem to break a sweat. I would love to do that hike, but I have to admit that Mt. Fuji was way closer to my limit than I would have liked (wich for a good part was because of the freezing weather near the top at night, and the steepness of the trail both up and down making my joints hurt pretty bad), wich made it a not really enjoyable climb, and I wouldn't want this one to be a bad experience for me as well. What do you think?
@japanguide
5 жыл бұрын
This hike is often rated as more difficult than Mt. Fuji, and from experience it is more challenging. The change in elevation is greater and the slope slightly steeper. Also from experience the footing on the snowy Daisekkei can be slick, so if you attempt this hike make sure to have appropriate hiking footwear and consider buying or bringing crampons. According to the yamaquest website Shirouma is a level 73 difficulty hike and Fuji is 59. Shirouma: www.yamaquest.com/detail/shiromadake-2932/2830.html Fuji: www.yamaquest.com/detail/fujisan-3776/2795.html
Great video. Do you have any recommendations on a similar hike during Winter/Fall season (in Japan) ? Maybe too late to include the Japanese alps due to snow ? I really wanted to hike to Mount Yari and was able to hike up to Yarisawa Lodge from Kamikochi in October. It was the last day where the huts were opened and it snowed.
@joemignano
3 жыл бұрын
In fall there are tons of great similar hikes (if you're looking for hiking in the Japan Alps). In winter (very roughly mid December through late May) most peaks in central and northern Japan above 2000 meters are going to have snow, so winter gear and skills will often be needed to be safe (i.e. using crampons, an ice ax, etc.); non-technical lower elevation hikes are definitely possible, though. Winter climbing/hiking is actually a very exciting and rewarding endeavor in itself, but it's definitely a different beast.
@joemignano
3 жыл бұрын
For good autumn alpine hikes I highly recommend the Tateyama area, the South Alps and of course the peaks around Kamikochi.
They are wonderful videos - could not a little bit more time be spent at each stop instead of whizzing along at such a speed from place to place ?
Hey Joe, This is purely great content!!! Please keep up the good work man i enjoyed this maybe a little too much, i hope that you have as much fun creating your work as i do watching it.... My Zodiac is Sagittarius :) exploreing the world and its beauty is my passion as well... -Your buddy Matt
@japanguide
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the nice comment Matt!
@lewismills7381
4 жыл бұрын
theworldsoutside.com/2019/05/21/a-song-of-wind-and-drizzle/ Hey! Here's an article about an ill-planned climb of one of Japan's favourite peaks, Daisen in Tottori prefecture. It's a relatively easy climb if you're half-sensible (we weren't), and I recommend it highly.
I would like to know whether this is recommended to for solo hikers without a guide? Or is there a community that I can look for information as well as gathering folks to hike.
could you share some details about how to book lodge at the top?
@japanguide
5 жыл бұрын
Most huts only accept reservations (for overnight stays in the hut) over the phone, and only in Japanese. While this method is ideal, if it’s not feasible, huts almost always accept hikers without reservations, too. Even if they are fully booked, a hut will not turn away a hiker in need (though latecomers may end up sleeping in a hallway on a really bad day). If going without a reservation, just try to arrive at the hut as early as possible (before 2 or 3 PM at the latest) and avoid peak weekends/holidays. Or you can always bring your own tent. Many huts also have campsites (usually around ¥1000 per person per night), and allow campers to use the huts’ facilities/water and even dine in (for an additional cost).
During which month did you do this hike ? Looks like the perfect time for it.
@japanguide
5 жыл бұрын
The first week of September.
@japankofun
5 жыл бұрын
Cool, thanks.
@claudevelo
4 жыл бұрын
What about doing that at the end of october ?
I'm thinking about hiking Shirouma in May but everywhere says the season starts in June. Do you have any advice on this?
@japanguide
6 жыл бұрын
It's not impossible, but there will still be a decent amount of snow and the mountain huts may not be open. If you attempt to hike this route before the season starts make sure you are properly equipped and prepared for a cold alpine hike without much support.
@EmmyLisbet
6 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your reply! I did look into it more and unfortunately, it seems that the risk for rockslides is much higher during the off season. Looks like the hike will have to wait. Thank you for sharing your video. At least I got a taste of Mt. Shirouma through your beautiful shots :)
I wonder if Praise would have like this path
Is it possible to do this in late October? Is the lodge open? Hope someone can answer as I’m planning a trip to Japan for Halloween
Great video, thanks a lot! One question: do you need to book this in advance or make some sort of reservation? I'm planning to go there in July 2023... thanks!
@joemignano
Жыл бұрын
Mountain huts in Japan almost always ask guests to make a reservation in advance. It’s the best way to make sure you have a bed/meal/campsite waiting for you. If there is space (and sometimes in an emergency), huts will often take walk-ins, but it’s better to be safe than sorry (I’ve had to sleep in a hallway on a busy weekend without a reservation before!). And importantly, arrive as early as possible-especially if you don’t have a reservation-ideally before 3pm for most huts.
@AlejandroCanzani
Жыл бұрын
@@joemignano Great, thanks for the info. I was planning to take my tent and sleep there :)
Just in time I'm leaving Takayama for Nagoya ! Wonderful job as always everyone and the scenery is too much haha... definitely gotta try this some day, soon. By the way, do you think 2 days is enough or 3 days ? I'm a little slow hihi... Thanks !
@joemignano
4 жыл бұрын
Two days is usually enough for this hike, but you could easily extend it to three to go at a relaxed pace and stay at multiple huts/campsites--there are plenty of other trails that continue to many other peaks beyond the hike in the video!
@alexquyenvo5196
4 жыл бұрын
@@joemignano thanks for your response ! Also, does one need to know Japanese to book the hut and follow the instructions on the trails ? Thank you !
@joemignano
4 жыл бұрын
@@alexquyenvo5196 You can definitely do this hike without knowing Japanese. While I wouldn't expect the hut staff to know other languages, you could have staff at your accommodation or the local Hakuba tourist information center make the call for you. And the trails themselves are very well maintained and easy to follow, so you will probably not have trouble going the right directions.
@alexquyenvo5196
4 жыл бұрын
@@joemignano thanks again for responding to me ! I visit Japan 3 times now and still manage to see many places with my very baby Japanese, I can ask questions but when they respond to me I got no idea what they're saying, that's why hihi...
I'm going to Japan this November and am planning to climb this mountain around the 20th. Would the lodges still be operating around that time? Because it's about to hit winter.
@japanguide
4 жыл бұрын
By this time the huts will not be open. If you attempt to hike this route during November, make sure you have adequate experience, knowledge, skills and gear for a difficult and potentially dangerous alpine trek without support along the trail.
× Mt.Yarigatake ◎Mt.Kashima Yarigatake(2,889m) There is Mt.Yarigatake(3,180m)near Mt.Hodakadake :)
@joemignano
4 жыл бұрын
Confusingly, there are several "Yarigatake"'s in the Northern Japan Alps: 1) Yarigatake (3,180m - near Kamikochi) 2) Hakuba Yarigatake (2,903m - near Shirouma-dake, shown in this video) 3) Kashima Yarigatake (2,889m - just south of Mt. Goryu in Hakuba) By far the most well-known "Yari" (the one that comes to mind for most people if you just say "Yarigatake") is certainly #1, which is also a fantastic (and challenging!) hike: www.japan-guide.com/blog/peaks/171005.html.
It is 鑓ヶ岳(yarigatake)!!!! Not 槍ヶ岳(yarigatake). I thought it is totally different form 槍ヶ岳. There are two Yarigatake in Nagano. I was surprised. hahaha
At what season and month you go there. I'm interested to try climbing it :)
@japanguide
5 жыл бұрын
Hiking season is from July to October. If you need more detailed info about this hike here is our travel report link: www.japan-guide.com/blog/peaks/170904.html Hope you will enjoy the hike!
@palagoarche8697
5 жыл бұрын
japan-guide.com Thank you!
Is there any bus from Shinjuku to this place. If yes, can you please tell me which bus to get on and which stop tonget off?
@japanguide
5 жыл бұрын
Yes! The Alipco bus company runs daily highway buses between Shinjuku and Hakuba outside of winter (www.alpico.co.jp/en/transportation/detail.php?id=9 - get off at the Hakubacho stop, which is near JR Hakuba Station). From JR Hakuba Station, there are additional buses to the trailhead during hiking season (www.alpico.co.jp/access/hakuba/sarukura/ - look for buses going to Sarukura).
@QuyenTran-wj7fm
5 жыл бұрын
japan-guide.com many thanks 😁😁😁
☺️
I'm from indonesia, how much it cost to visit Japan's Alps?
Hey joe, I am going to Japan in April. will this hike be possible then? Or is this hike only seasonal? If not then when is the best time to do this hike? Thanks!
@joemignano
4 жыл бұрын
This hike would be very snowy in April, so I would only recommend it if you have alpine mountaineering experience and gear. The mountain huts and public transportation wouldn't be running in April, either; they usually start up around June or July and run through around October. I'd recommend doing this hike between July and September for most hikers--July is especially nice since this hike is loaded with alpine flowers around that time!
@skywire6219
4 жыл бұрын
@@joemignano thank you so much! i cancelled the april trip and will be going later in the year.
Do you have recommendations on where to leave luggage while making this 2 day trip?
@joemignano
4 жыл бұрын
William If you come to Hakuba by train you could probably leave luggage in a coin locker at Hakuba Station (some coin lockers allow you to leave baggage overnight). Otherwise I’d just leave bags in a car if you rent a car and drive to the trailhead.