Mt. Shirouma
Mt. Shirouma (白馬岳) is a 2,932m peak in the Ushiro-Tateyama Range in the northern Northern Alps, one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains and the 100 Flowering Mountains.
The dynamic route climbing the Hakuba Daisekkei — Japan’s largest snowfield — is popular; beyond the snowfield spreads an alpine-plant flower field in dazzling colors. Hakuba Sanso just below the summit boasts Japan’s largest mountain-hut capacity.
At the 2,100m point on the flank of Mt. Yari there is Hakuba Yari Onsen, and at the northern foot of Hakuba Oike there is Renge Onsen, offering attractive traverse plans combined with hot springs.
⚠ Important (as of May 2026) — Hakuba Daisekkei route remains closed
The Hakuba Daisekkei route has been closed since September 29, 2025 (snow falls, rockfall, difficulty securing safety). In July 2024 it was also closed due to numerous crevasses and rockfall in the Shakushi-dake direction; closures during the summer season occurred two consecutive years (2024, 2025). Passability for summer 2026 is not yet determined.
Alternative route: From Tsugaike Kogen, the Tsugaike Panorama Way to Tsugaike Shizen-en → Hakuba Oike → Korenge-yama → Mt. Shirouma traverse route is available.
Latest information: verify on Hakuba-kan Official, Nagano Prefecture, and Otari Village Tourist Association.
This page introduces access to Sarukura, the Mt. Shirouma trailhead.
*Timetable last checked: May 30, 2026
How to access the trailheads
- [Outbound] Hakuba Station → Sarukura
- [Outbound] Takebashi Station → Shinjuku Station → Sarukura (Mainichi Alpen-go)
- [Return] Sarukura → Hakuba Station
- [Return] Sarukura → Shinjuku Station (Mainichi Alpen-go)
Hiking Course Details — Mt. Shirouma
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Map & Recommended Route — Mt. Shirouma
Mt. Shirouma — Reference Hiking Times
| Segment | Distance | Ascent/Descent | Out | Back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarukura → Shiroumajiri Hut | 2.5 km | +321 m / −4 m | 1:10 | 1:00 |
| Shiroumajiri Hut → Iwamuro Ruins | 2.1 km | +763 m / −0 m | 2:05 | 2:00 |
| Iwamuro Ruins → Shiroumadake Summit Lodge | 1.0 km | +408 m / −0 m | 1:10 | 1:10 |
| Shiroumadake Summit Lodge → Hakuba Sanso | 0.4 km | +111 m / −0 m | 0:25 | 0:15 |
| Hakuba Sanso → Goal | 0.4 km | +96 m / −0 m | 0:20 | 0:15 |
| Round trip | 12.9 km | +1703 m / −1703 m | 10:25 | |
1. [Outbound] Hakuba Station → Sarukura
From JR Oito Line Hakuba Station, take the Alpico Kotsu local bus “Sarukura Line” and get off at the terminus, Sarukura. The bus also stops at Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal. Since FY2025 it is reservation system, requiring advance booking via “Hatsusha Orai Net” (accepted from one month before the boarding day, supporting credit cards / PayPay / d-Barai). You can board without a reservation if seats are available on the day, but standing may be required when crowded.
Operating period: typically mid-July to mid-October (varies by year)
Fare: ¥2,000
Travel time: about 27 minutes
Bus TimetableHakuba Station to Sarukura
| Hakuba Station | Sarukura |
|---|---|
| 5:55 | 6:22 |
| 7:20 | 7:47 |
| 12:15 | 12:42 |
| 13:45 | 14:12 |
Reference: [Alpico Kotsu]
2. [Outbound] Takebashi Station → Shinjuku Station → Sarukura (Mainichi Alpen-go)
From the Tokyo area, you can use the night bus “Mainichi Alpen-go” operated by Mainichi Travel (Maitabi) (reservation-only). Board at Takebashi Station (in front of Mainichi Newspapers Building) or Shinjuku Station West Exit, and arrive at Sarukura early morning.
Reference: Mainichi Newspapers Travel “Mainichi Alpen-go”
Fare: from ¥8,800
Travel time: about 7 hours (overnight)
3. [Return] Sarukura → Hakuba Station
From the Sarukura bus stop, take the Alpico Kotsu local bus “Sarukura Line” and get off at Hakuba Station. As with the outbound, it is reservation system. Advance reservation via “Hatsusha Orai Net” is recommended.
Operating period: typically mid-July to mid-October (varies by year)
Fare: ¥2,000
Travel time: about 27 minutes
Bus TimetableSarukura to Hakuba Station
| Sarukura | Hakuba Station |
|---|---|
| 8:02 | 8:29 |
| 13:00 | 13:27 |
| 14:30 | 14:57 |
Reference: [Alpico Kotsu]
4. [Return] Sarukura → Shinjuku Station (Mainichi Alpen-go)
From Sarukura, take the “Mainichi Alpen-go” operated by Mainichi Travel (Maitabi) and head to Shinjuku Station West Exit (reservation-only).
Reference: Mainichi Newspapers Travel “Mainichi Alpen-go”
Fare: from ¥8,800
Travel time: about 7 hours (overnight)
Photo by malfet
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