Mt. Bessan

Mt. Bessan (2880 m) rises on the ridge north of Mt. Tate (Oyama) in the Tateyama range of Toyama Prefecture, and is one of Japan’s 100 Highest Mountains.
It is a twin-peaked summit: the South Peak (2874 m) holds a small Bessan shrine and a survey marker, while the slightly higher North Peak (2880 m) is the true high point, with the alpine pond Suzuri-ga-ike in the saddle between them. Together with Mt. Jodo and Mt. Tate it forms the “Three Peaks of Tateyama,” and the North Peak is one of the finest viewpoints for Mt. Tsurugi, which looms just across the Tsurugi-sawa basin. The trailhead is Murodo (2450 m) on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, reached entirely by public transport.

From Tateyama Station on the Toyama Chiho Railway, take the Tateyama Cablecar (about 7 minutes) to Bijodaira, then transfer to the Tateyama Kogen Bus (about 50 minutes) to Murodo Terminal (2450 m). The shortest climb follows Raichozawa and the Raichozaka slope up to Bessan-norikoshi pass (Tsurugi-gozen-goya hut, 2750 m) and on to the summit, taking about 3.5 to 4 hours one way. A popular alternative is the “Three Peaks of Tateyama” loop, traversing Oyama, Onanjiyama and Masagodake before reaching Bessan, which takes roughly 6 to 8 hours from Murodo as a long day or with one overnight at a mountain hut.
The hut on the ridge is Tsurugi-gozen-goya at Bessan-norikoshi (reservations by phone, tel. 080-8694-5076; open April 28 to October 17, 2026). The best season is mid-July to early October, after the snow has melted; before then, crampons and an ice axe are needed for the snow remaining on Raichozaka and below the pass.

*Information last checked: June 14, 2026

Getting to the trailhead

1. [Outbound] Tateyama Station → Bijodaira → Murodo (trailhead)
2. [Return] Murodo (trailhead) → Bijodaira → Tateyama Station

1. [Outbound] Tateyama Station → Bijodaira → Murodo (trailhead)

To reach the Murodo trailhead (2450 m), take the Tateyama Cablecar (about 7 minutes) from Tateyama Station up to Bijodaira, then transfer to the Tateyama Kogen Bus (about 50 minutes). The cablecar and highland bus run on a connecting timetable. Private cars are banned on the Alpine Route all year, so this is the only way up to Murodo (the 2026 operating season runs 15 April to 30 November, with the regular timetable to Murodo from 15 April to 3 November). The one-way fare from Tateyama Station to Murodo is 4090 yen (cablecar 1090 yen plus highland bus 3000 yen).

Timetable 1: Tateyama Station → Bijodaira → Murodo (cablecar + highland bus, outbound)

Catching the first departure (Tateyama Station 6:40, Murodo 7:50) leaves enough time to climb Bessan and return the same day via the shortest route. Murodo is very popular, and tickets for the early departures can sell out in the morning during the summer climbing season and the autumn-colour period, so reserving a web ticket the day before is the surest option.

Reference: [Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route timetable]

2. [Return] Murodo (trailhead) → Bijodaira → Tateyama Station

After descending, take the Tateyama Kogen Bus (about 50 minutes) from Murodo Terminal down to Bijodaira, then transfer to the Tateyama Cablecar (about 7 minutes) back to Tateyama Station. The one-way fare is 4090 yen. The last departure from Murodo varies by season, so allow plenty of time for the long descent from Bessan-norikoshi and aim to catch a bus well before the last one.

Timetable 2: Murodo → Bijodaira → Tateyama Station (highland bus + cablecar, return)

Reference: [Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route timetable]

Climbing routes and trail times

Route 1: Raichozaka route (shortest, out-and-back)
Murodo Terminal (2450 m) → Mikurigaike → Raichozawa Campsite (2280 m, about 1 hour) → climb the Raichozaka slope (about 1 hour 50 minutes) → Bessan-norikoshi pass / Tsurugi-gozen-goya (2750 m) → Bessan South Peak (2874 m, about 30 minutes) → Bessan North Peak (2880 m, about 10 minutes). The total one-way climb is about 3.5 to 4 hours. The route first drops to Raichozawa and then climbs back up, with the roughly 470 m gravelly ascent to the pass as its crux. The view toward Mt. Tsurugi opens up suddenly at the pass; following the ridge brings you first to the shrine on the South Peak and then north to the high point on the North Peak. Descend by the same route.

Route 2: Three Peaks of Tateyama loop (via Oyama and Onanjiyama)
Murodo → Ichinokoshi (about 1 hour) → Oyama (3003 m, about 1 hour) → Onanjiyama (3015 m, the highest point of the range) → Fuji-no-Oritate → Masagodake (2861 m) → Bessan → Bessan-norikoshi → Raichozaka → Raichozawa → Murodo. The full loop takes about 6 to 8 hours: a long day for strong walkers, or an overnight at a hut on the ridge or around Murodo for a more relaxed pace. This classic route takes in all three peaks, with a rocky section between Oyama and Fuji-no-Oritate, and can be walked either clockwise (Oyama first) or anticlockwise (Bessan first).

Mountain huts and lodging

Tsurugi-gozen-goya (Bessan-norikoshi, 2750 m): the ridge hut closest to Bessan, standing at the junction of the Raichozaka route, the trail to Mt. Tsurugi and the Three Peaks traverse. Reservations by phone (tel. 080-8694-5076). Open April 28 to October 17, 2026. Rates are 14000 yen with two meals or 11000 yen for lodging only (each 1500 yen higher in April–June).

Kuranosuke Sanso (east of Masagodake, 2760 m): a convenient overnight when traversing from the Oyama side on the Three Peaks loop. Reservation only, 13200 yen with two meals, open roughly mid-July to late September (contact tel. 076-482-1518).

Bases around Murodo: huts such as Mikurigaike Onsen, Raichoso and Raichozawa Hutte, plus the Raichozawa Campsite, make good bases for an extra night before or after the climb, or for camping. Check each hut’s website for reservations and opening dates.

Hazards, gear and best season

Difficulty: Bessan itself has no chains or ladders and is relatively easy by the standards of the Tateyama range — there is nothing like the notorious crux pitches of neighbouring Mt. Tsurugi. Even so, the whole route lies above the tree line at high altitude, so it should not be taken lightly.

Raichozaka: the long roughly 470 m climb to the pass is loose and gravelly. It is slippery in the rain, so take care not to fall on the descent.

Weather on the ridge: beyond Bessan-norikoshi the ridge is exposed to strong wind, lightning and sudden cloud. It is easy to lose the route in cloud, so carry a map and compass (or GPS), and stay off the ridge if a storm threatens.

Snow: from June to early July, snow remains on Raichozaka and just below the pass, so light crampons and an ice axe are needed. Check snow conditions at Tsurugi-gozen-goya or the Murodo terminal.

Altitude: because you gain almost all your height by riding up to Murodo (2450 m) and then push straight to 2880 m, altitude sickness is a real risk. Drink often and keep a steady pace.

Season and gear: the best season is mid-July to early October. Alpine flowers peak in July and August, and the autumn colours from late September to early October. Always carry rain gear, warm layers, a hat, gloves, a headlamp and trail food — the ridge is cold even in summer.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire and rescue). The Toyama Prefectural Police mountain rescue unit covers the Tateyama and Tsurugi area. Always file a climbing plan, and check the latest trail and weather information at Murodo or Tsurugi-gozen-goya.

Photo by Naokijp / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0