Mt. Masago

Mt. Masago (Masagodake, 2,861 m) lies on the Tateyama range in Toyama Prefecture, on the main ridge linking Tateyama (Mt. Oyama, Mt. Onanji, Fuji-no-oritate) with Mt. Bessan, and is one of the 100 Highest Mountains of Japan (Hyakukōzan).
True to its name, it is a gentle peak covered in granite gravel (masago); standing midway along the Tateyama Three-Peaks traverse, it offers a wide panorama from Mt. Oyama and Mt. Onanji to Mt. Tsurugi, Mt. Bessan and the Ushiro-Tateyama range. On its eastern side lie the Kuranosuke snowfield and cirque, among the largest in Japan, and Kuranosuke-sanso hut stands just below the summit. The trailhead is Murodo (2,450 m) on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, which you can reach entirely by public transport.

From Tateyama Station on the Toyama Chiho Railway, take the Tateyama Cable Car (about 7 min) to Bijodaira, then the Tateyama Kogen Bus (about 50 min) to Murodo Terminal (2,450 m). The shortest way is to descend to Raichozawa from Murodo and climb the “Obashiri” to Mt. Masago, about 3 hours one way; the “Tateyama Three-Peaks traverse” over Mt. Oyama, Mt. Onanji and Fuji-no-oritate to Mt. Masago is also popular, done from Murodo as a day hike (about 6–8 hours) or with one night at a hut.
Kuranosuke-sanso stands just below Mt. Masago and Tsurugi-gozen-goya at Bessan-noukoshi, both useful bases for the traverse. The best season is mid-July to early October, once the snow has melted; before that, snow lingers on Raichozaka, the Obashiri and around the Kuranosuke snowfield, so crampons and an ice axe are needed. Because you gain most of the height by riding to Murodo (2,450 m), watch for altitude sickness.

*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 trailhead at Murodo (2,450 m), take the Tateyama Cable Car (about 7 min) from Tateyama Station on the Toyama Chiho Railway up to Bijodaira, then transfer to the Tateyama Kogen Bus (about 50 min). The cable car and highland bus run on a connecting timetable. Private cars are banned on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route all year, so this is the only way to Murodo (the 2026 operating period is April 15 – November 30; the regular timetable to Murodo runs April 15 – November 3). The fare from Tateyama Station to Murodo is ¥4,090 one way (cable car ¥1,090 + highland bus ¥3,000).

Timetable 1: Tateyama Station → Bijodaira → Murodo (Tateyama Cable Car + Tateyama Kogen Bus, outbound)

On the first service (Tateyama St. 6:40, Murodo 7:50) you can do the shortest Obashiri route as a same-day round trip. Murodo is very popular, and on summer and autumn-foliage days the first-service tickets can sell out early in the morning, so booking a web ticket in advance is the safe option.

Reference: [Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route timetable]

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

After the hike, take the Tateyama Kogen Bus (about 50 min) down from Murodo Terminal to Bijodaira, then transfer to the Tateyama Cable Car (about 7 min) back to Tateyama Station. The fare is ¥4,090 one way. The last service from Murodo varies by season, so allow time for the descent from the ridge and be sure to catch the final run.

Timetable 2: Murodo → Bijodaira → Tateyama Station (Tateyama Kogen Bus + Tateyama Cable Car, return)

Reference: [Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route timetable]

Climbing routes and times for Mt. Masago

Route 1: Obashiri route (shortest, round trip)
Murodo Terminal (2,450 m) → Mikurigaike → Raichozawa Campsite (2,280 m, about 1 hour) → climb the Obashiri → Mt. Masago (2,861 m). The total one-way climb is about 3 hours. You first drop to Raichozawa, then climb back up the loose, gravelly “Obashiri” to reach Mt. Masago on the main ridge; it is relatively short among the Tateyama Three Peaks and lets you climb Mt. Masago alone. Return the same way.

Route 2: Tateyama Three-Peaks traverse (via Mt. Oyama and Mt. Onanji)
Murodo → Ichinokoshi (about 1 hour) → Mt. Oyama (3,003 m, about 1 hour) → Mt. Onanji (3,015 m, the range’s high point) → Fuji-no-oritate → Mt. Masago (2,861 m) → Mt. Bessan (2,880 m) → Bessan-noukoshi → Raichozaka → Raichozawa → Murodo. The full loop is about 6–8 hours: a day hike for strong walkers, or with one night at Kuranosuke-sanso, Tsurugi-gozen-goya or a hut near Murodo. This classic route takes in all of the Tateyama Three Peaks, with rocky ridge walking from Mt. Oyama to Fuji-no-oritate. It can be walked clockwise (Oyama first) or anticlockwise (Bessan first).

Mountain huts and lodging

Kuranosuke-sanso (east of Mt. Masago, 2,760 m): the ridge hut closest to Mt. Masago, a base for the Tateyama Three-Peaks traverse and the Kuranosuke snowfield and cirque. Reservation only, ¥13,200 per night with two meals, open roughly mid-July to late September (contact tel. 076-482-1518).

Tsurugi-gozen-goya (Bessan-noukoshi, 2,750 m): just beyond Mt. Bessan from Mt. Masago, at the junction of the Raichozaka route, the Mt. Tsurugi approach and the Tateyama traverse. Phone reservation (tel. 080-8694-5076). Open April 28 – October 17, 2026. ¥14,000 per night with two meals / ¥11,000 without meals (¥1,500 more each in April–June).

Bases around Murodo: huts such as Mikurigaike Onsen, Raichoso and Raichozawa Hutte, plus the Raichozawa Campsite, make good bases for a night before or after, or for camping, with Murodo as the start. Check reservations and opening dates on each official site.

Hazards, equipment and season

Difficulty: Mt. Masago itself has no chains or ladders and is a relatively easy, gentle peak among the Tateyama range, though the whole route is high above the tree line, and the Oyama–Fuji-no-oritate section of the traverse is rocky ridge.

Obashiri: a loose, gravelly steep climb rising from Raichozawa to the main ridge; watch for falls and rockfall on the descent, and snow remains in the early season.

Kuranosuke snowfield: the Kuranosuke cirque on the eastern side of Mt. Masago holds one of Japan’s largest perennial snowfields (a glacier); if crossing or descending it, beware of slips and crevasses. Most hikers stay on the summer trail along the main ridge.

Weather on the ridge: the main ridge is exposed to strong wind, lightning and sudden fog. In fog it is easy to lose the route, so carry a map and compass (GPS), and avoid the ridge if a storm threatens.

Residual snow: from June to early July, snow lingers on Raichozaka, the Obashiri and just below the ridge, so light crampons and an ice axe are needed. Check snow conditions at Tsurugi-gozen-goya, Kuranosuke-sanso or the Murodo terminal.

Altitude sickness: since you gain most of the height riding up to Murodo (2,450 m) and then climb to 2,861 m, take care with altitude. Drink regularly and pace yourself.

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

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

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