Mount Sanpōiwa (Sanpōiwadake, 1,736 m) sits on the border of Hakusan City in Ishikawa and Shirakawa Village in Gifu, and is one of Japan’s 300 Famous Mountains.
Its name comes from three great rock walls — Hida-iwa, Etchū-iwa and Kaga-iwa — and its appeal lies in the sweeping view of the Hakusan range and the ease of driving almost to the summit. From the Sanpōiwa parking lot on the Hakusan-Shirakawa-gō White Road, the round trip to the summit takes about 2 hours, an easy course.
To reach the trailhead, use the World Heritage village of Shirakawa-gō as a base and go via the White Road by rental car or chartered taxi.
The trailhead is the Sanpōiwa parking lot (about 1,450 m) on the Hakusan-Shirakawa-gō White Road. The main route is the Sanpōiwa parking lot → Mount Sanpōiwa (1,736 m) and back, about 50 minutes up and 40 minutes down, an easy route. From the summit there is a wide view of the Hakusan range, and the Northern Alps in clear weather, and you can also traverse to Magari-Shōji-yama and Nodani-Shōji-yama.
The best season is early summer to autumn (around June–November) while the White Road is open; in winter the road is closed. Always check the latest opening date, toll and trail conditions before you go.
*Last checked: June 7, 2026
How to access the trailheads
1. [There & Back] Shirakawa-gō ⇄ Sanpōiwa parking lot (White Road + rental car / taxi)
The World Heritage village of Shirakawa-gō is your gateway. The Sanpōiwa parking lot is on the Hakusan-Shirakawa-gō White Road, a mountain toll road where pedestrians and motorcycles are not allowed, so access is by car.
① To Shirakawa-gō (highway bus)
Shirakawa-gō is reached by highway bus (Nohi Bus, Hokutetsu Bus and others) from Nagoya, Kanazawa, Takayama and Toyama. Use Shirakawa-gō as your base for the White Road.
② Shirakawa-gō → Sanpōiwa parking lot (rental car / chartered taxi)
From Shirakawa-gō, reach the Sanpōiwa parking lot via the White Road by rental car or a chartered sightseeing taxi. The White Road has a toll section.
— Hakusan Taxi (Shirakawa) 05769-5-2341 / Medics Taxi (Takayama) 0577-36-3860.
③ Note (seasonal operation): the Hakusan-Shirakawa-gō White Road operates seasonally, usually June–November, and is fully closed in winter. Check the opening date, hours and toll on the official website.
By car: there is parking at the Sanpōiwa lot. Access via the White Road from the Shirakawa-gō IC on the Tōkai-Hokuriku Expressway.
References: [Hakusan-Shirakawa-gō White Road: Mount Sanpōiwa] ／ [Gifu Travel Guide: Mount Sanpōiwa]
Trail Guide and Safety Notes
Route: the main route is an out-and-back from the Sanpōiwa parking lot to Mount Sanpōiwa (1,736 m), about 50 minutes up and 40 minutes down, an easy route. From the summit it is about 40 minutes to Magari-Shōji-yama (1,704 m) and on to Nodani-Shōji-yama (1,797 m), a traverse for intermediate hikers.
Rock and weather: as the edges of the three rock walls that give the mountain its name drop away sharply, take care at the viewpoints. It is high and the weather changes quickly, so be ready for wind, rain and cold on the ridge.
Views and nature: from the summit there is a magnificent view of the Hakusan range, and the Northern Alps in clear weather. The autumn colours are lovely, to be enjoyed together with those along the White Road, amid forests of beech and Erman’s birch.
Equipment and emergencies: carry rain gear, warm clothing, a headlamp, a map/GPS, plenty of food and water. In an accident or emergency call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/ambulance).
・Takayama Police Station 0577-32-0110
Photo by Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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