Mt. Akaushi

Mt. Akaushi (Akaushidake, 2,864 m) in Toyama City, Toyama, is one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains.
Named for its reddish-brown slopes, it is a hidden peak rising in the deepest North Alps, prized for the quiet, primeval ridge running from Mt. Suisho and the grand view over the Kurobe headwaters. The traverse from Oritate over Kumonodaira and Mt. Suisho to Mt. Akaushi, then down the Yomiuri-shindo to Kurobe Dam, is an advanced route of at least three nights and four days.
The trailhead is Oritate. It is reachable by a summer climbing bus from Toyama Station, and a multi-day plan with hut stays is assumed.

The trailhead is Oritate (trailhead for Mt. Yakushi and Mt. Akaushi, with toilet and campground). The usual route runs Oritate → Tarodaira → Yakushizawa → Kumonodaira → Mt. Suisho → Mt. Akaushi → Yomiuri-shindo → Oku-Kurobe Hut → Taira-no-watashi → Kurobe Dam; it takes over 20 hours of walking with a large elevation gain and requires at least three nights and four days, advanced. An out-and-back to Mt. Akaushi is difficult, so it is usual to descend the Yomiuri-shindo to Lake Kurobe and cross to the far shore from the Oku-Kurobe Hut by the Taira-no-watashi ferry (for ferry times, see [Return] below). Missing it leaves you with nowhere to stay, so a carefully timed plan is essential.
There is almost no escape route, and huts such as the Suisho Hut and Oku-Kurobe Hut require reservations. The season is mid-July to mid-September.

*Last checked: June 6, 2026

1. [Outbound] Toyama Station → Oritate (Toyama Chitetsu summer bus)

The nearest base is Toyama Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen). From Toyama Station, take the Toyama Chiho Railway direct bus to Oritate (summer bus, Arimine line). It runs by reservation in summer (usually mid-July to September), with a one-way fare of about 5,000 yen and a first bus around 6:30 from in front of Toyama Station (days, times and fares vary by year, so always confirm with Toyama Chiho Railway). You can also take the Toyama Chiho Railway from Dentetsu-Toyama Station to Arimineguchi Station and change there to the summer bus for Oritate.

Maiitabi Alpen-go: from the Tokyo area you can also use the Maiitabi Alpen-go “Oritate direction” night bus from Takebashi and Hachioji (fully reservation-based). Confirm operating days, times and fares on the official site.
– Toyama Chiho Railway ticket center (Oritate direct bus reservations) 076-442-8122

Source: [Toyama Chiho Railway summer bus (Arimine line)] / [Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route timetable]

2. [Return] Lake Kurobe (Taira-no-watashi ferry) → Kurobe Dam → Shinano-Omachi

Descend the Yomiuri-shindo from Mt. Akaushi and cross from the Oku-Kurobe Hut to the far shore (toward Lodge Kuroyon) by the Taira-no-watashi ferry on Lake Kurobe. There are only two runs a day, and missing one can strand you, so keep to a strictly punctual itinerary.

Ferry timetable: Taira-no-watashi (Lake Kurobe)

Kurobe Dam → Shinano-Omachi: from the far shore, pass Lodge Kuroyon to Kurobe Dam. From Kurobe Dam, take the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus to Ogizawa, then an Alpico Kotsu bus from Ogizawa toward Shinano-Omachi (JR Oito Line). Both the electric bus and the route bus have limited services and may require reservations, so check the latest operating days and times in advance.

Source: [Toyama Chiho Railway summer bus (Arimine line)] / [Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route timetable]

Route and safety notes

Route: Oritate → Tarodaira → Yakushizawa → Kumonodaira → Mt. Suisho → Mt. Akaushi → Yomiuri-shindo → Oku-Kurobe Hut → Taira-no-watashi → Kurobe Dam. It takes over 20 hours of walking, around 30 km, with a large elevation gain, advanced, with at least three nights and four days standard. The ridge from Mt. Suisho to Mt. Akaushi is quiet and primeval.

Ferry and itinerary: from the Oku-Kurobe Hut you cross to the far shore by the Taira-no-watashi ferry on Lake Kurobe. As there are only two runs a day, keep strictly to an itinerary matched to the ferry times. Missing it means you cannot descend.

Huts and escape: the Suisho Hut, Oku-Kurobe Hut and others require reservations. As there is almost no escape route, plan within your limits according to weather and condition.

Gear and season: the season is mid-July to mid-September. Weather changes quickly in the alpine zone, so carry warm and rain gear, a map and compass (GPS), and submit a climbing plan. Refill water at the huts.
In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Toyama City Office 076-431-6111

Photo by Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain