Mt. Hakuba-Yari

Mount Hakuba-Yari (Hakuba-yarigatake, 2,903 m) rises on the border of Toyama and Nagano in the northern North Alps (Ushiro-Tateyama range). One of Japan’s 100 Highest Mountains, it is the southern peak of the “Hakuba Three Mountains” together with Mount Shirouma and Mount Shakushi. On its southeast slope at 2,100 m wells up Hakuba-yari Onsen, a hot spring with the largest natural flow in Japan at such altitude — a popular peak climbed by combining the traverse with an open-air bath in the clouds.

*Timetable last checked: 2026-06-14

1. [Outbound] Hakuba Station → Sarukura

Trailhead = Sarukura (approx. 1,230 m; the Hakuba Great Snow Gully trailhead).
From JR Oito Line Hakuba Station, take the Alpico Kotsu “Sarukura line” local bus to the terminus at Sarukura (it also stops at the Hakuba-Happo bus terminal). It has been reservation-only since 2025, so booking in advance via Hassha-Orai-Net is recommended.

Ride time: approx. 27 min
Fare: ¥2,000
Operating period: roughly mid-July to mid-October (varies by year)

From the Tokyo area, the Mainichi Alpen-go night bus (reservation-only) also runs direct from Takebashi / Shinjuku to Sarukura, arriving early in the morning (times and fares require reservation and confirmation via Maitabi).

Bus TimetableBus timetable from Hakuba Station to Sarukura

Reference: [Alpico Kotsu]

2. [Return] Sarukura → Hakuba Station

After the descent, take the Alpico Kotsu “Sarukura line” local bus from the Sarukura bus stop and get off at Hakuba Station. As on the way out, it is reservation-only. The three-peak traverse takes time, so allow margin for the last bus.

Ride time: approx. 27 min
Fare: ¥2,000
Operating period: roughly mid-July to mid-October (varies by year)

Bus TimetableBus timetable from Sarukura to Hakuba Station

Reference: [Alpico Kotsu]

3. Climbing routes, the crux and estimated trail times of Mount Hakuba-Yari

The starting point for Mount Hakuba-Yari is Sarukura. There are two main ways up.

● Hakuba Three Mountains traverse route
From Sarukura, climb the Hakuba Great Snow Gully (or via Tsugaike when it is closed) to Mount Shirouma, then go from Hakuba-sanso past the Mount Shakushi bypass junction and Shakushi-zawa-no-koru to Mount Hakuba-Yari. This is the classic line that takes in all three peaks, staying at Hakuba-sanso, Tengu-sanso and the like.

● Hakuba-yari Onsen route
From Sarukura, cross the Kohinata col to the Hakuba-yari Onsen hut (2,100 m). Stay at the hot spring, and the next day climb through the Odehara flower fields to the ridge and on to Mount Hakuba-Yari. The crux is the steep slope with continuous chained sections between the onsen hut and Odehara, where snowfield traverses in the late-snow season add to the many accidents.

Standard trail times for the main sections (summer / snow-free guide)

• Sarukura → Hakuba Great Snow Gully → Mount Shirouma / Hakuba-sanso: approx. 6 hours (ascent, elevation gain approx. 1,700 m)
• Hakuba-sanso → Mount Shakushi (bypass) → Shakushi-zawa-no-koru → Mount Hakuba-Yari: approx. 2 h 50 min
• Mount Hakuba-Yari → Yari-Onsen junction → Odehara → Hakuba-yari Onsen hut: approx. 2 hours (chained steep descent)
• Hakuba-yari Onsen hut → Kohinata col → Sarukura: approx. 3 hours

The view and Hakuba-yari Onsen
From the summit of Mount Hakuba-Yari spreads a grand panorama from Mount Tsurugi and Mount Tate to the Hakuba Three Mountains and the Ushiro-Tateyama range. On the southeast flank, Hakuba-yari Onsen at 2,100 m is famous as an open-air bath in the clouds with the largest natural flow in Japan, where you can soak while gazing at the North Alps night sky and the sea of clouds below.

Recommended plans (1–2 nights)

• Hot-spring plan: Day 1 Sarukura → Hakuba-yari Onsen hut (overnight) / Day 2 Odehara → Mount Hakuba-Yari → (traverse to Mount Shakushi and Mount Shirouma, or descend the way you came)
• Three-peak traverse plan: Day 1 Sarukura → Hakuba Great Snow Gully → Hakuba-sanso (overnight) / Day 2 Mount Shirouma → Mount Shakushi → Mount Hakuba-Yari → Hakuba-yari Onsen hut (overnight) / Day 3 descend to Sarukura

Both assume one or two nights on the mountain; a day trip is impossible.

4. Huts and emergency contacts

Hakuba-yari Onsen hut (staffed; the hot spring in the clouds)

• Approx. 2,100 m. Famous for its natural hot spring with the largest flow in Japan and its open-air bath. It is a seasonal hut, built before the summer season and dismantled after it ends.
• 2026 season: planned July 11 – September 27. Reservations for stays from June 20 onward open around mid-May.
• Reservations / inquiries: 0261-72-2002 (Hakuba-kan Reservation Center)
• Reference: Hakuba-kan (Hakuba-yari Onsen hut)

Village-run Tengu-sanso (between Mount Hakuba-Yari and Tengu-no-kashira)

• Approx. 2,730 m, by the Tengu pond. Capacity approx. 63. A base for the three-peak traverse and the Kaerazu-no-kiretto route.
• 2026 open period: July 1 – September 30 (planned). Reservation required.
• Reference: Hakuba village-run huts

Hakuba-sanso and Hakuba-dake Chojo-shukusha

• Bases when traversing from the Mount Shirouma side. Hakuba-sanso (Hakuba-kan) is one of the largest huts in Japan; the Chojo-shukusha is village-run. Both require reservation.

Emergency contacts

• Nagano Pref. Police, mountain rescue / Omachi Police Station: 0261-22-0110
• Toyama Pref. Police, mountain security / Community Affairs Division: 076-441-2211
• Hakuba Village Tourism Bureau: 0261-72-7100

Photo by Alpsdake