Mt. Yukikura

Mt. Yukikura (雪倉岳, 2,611 m), on the border of Itoigawa in Niigata and Asahi in Toyama, is one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains.
A high peak of the Ushiro-Tateyama range north of Mt. Shirouma, it is a mountain of alpine flowers, prized for the flower fields spreading across its ridge and the wide view to the Sea of Japan. The route from Renge Onsen has a large elevation gain and is an advanced route, usually done as a fit hiker’s day trip or over two days with a hut stay.
The trailhead is Renge Onsen. It is reachable by a seasonal climbing bus from Itoigawa Station, and as the route is long, a hut stay is reassuring.

The trailhead is Renge Onsen (about 1,475 m; lodge, open-air bath and bus stop). The route runs Renge Onsen → (Kozan-do mining path) → Mt. Yukikura, or a traverse linking Mt. Asahi and Mt. Shirouma; the elevation gain is large and the time on the move long, advanced. As the Yukikura emergency hut (2,400 m) on the ridge is for emergencies only and camping is forbidden, it is safest to use the Asahi Hut, Hakuba-oike Lodge and others over two days.
Snow patches remain even in midsummer and weather changes quickly in the alpine zone, so always carry warm and rain gear. The forest road to the trailhead is closed for winter from late October to late June. The season is mid-July to early October.

*Information last checked: June 6, 2026

How to access the trailheads

1. [Round trip] Itoigawa Station → Renge Onsen (Mt. Yukikura trailhead)

1. [Round trip] Itoigawa Station → Renge Onsen (Mt. Yukikura trailhead)

The nearest base is Itoigawa Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen / JR Oito Line). From the Alps exit of Itoigawa Station, take the Itoigawa Bus Renge line (Mt. Shirouma climbing bus) to Renge Onsen (about 1 hour 35 minutes, fare ¥1,250 plus ¥310 for luggage). On the way it also calls at Hiraiwa Station on the JR Oito Line.
This bus runs seasonally from about mid-July to mid-October, so check the latest operating days and times with the operator. As the route is long, it is safest to reach Renge Onsen or a ridge hut on the first day and climb or traverse Mt. Yukikura the next. After descending, return to Itoigawa Station on an afternoon bus from Renge Onsen (check the latest times).
– Itoigawa Bus (Renge line) / Hakuba-dake Renge Onsen Lodge

Bus timetable: Itoigawa Station Alps exit → Renge Onsen (Itoigawa Bus Renge line)

Source: [Itoigawa Tourism (Renge Onsen access bus)]

Route and safety notes

Route: Renge Onsen → Kozan-do mining path → Mt. Yukikura (round trip), or a traverse with Mt. Asahi and Mt. Shirouma. The elevation gain is large and the time on the move long, advanced. From the ridge, the flower fields of Mt. Yukikura, the Ushiro-Tateyama range and the Sea of Japan spread out.

Huts and emergency shelter: the Yukikura emergency hut (2,400 m) is for emergencies only and camping is forbidden. Use the Asahi Hut, Hakuba-oike Lodge, Hakuba-dake summit lodge and others, and plan for at least two days.

Snow and weather: snow patches remain even in midsummer. Weather changes quickly in the alpine zone, so watch for strong wind and cold. Carry warm and rain gear, a map and compass (GPS).

Bears and season: the season is mid-July to early October. The forest road is closed for winter from late October to late June. Submit a climbing plan, and refill water at huts or snow patches.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Itoigawa City Office 025-552-1511

Photo by Σ64 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0