Mt. Ryuodake

Mt. Ryuodake (2,872 m) stands in Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture, and is one of Japan’s 100 Highest Mountains.
On the main ridge of the Tateyama range in the Northern Alps, it is a rocky peak just south of Mt. Jodosan, with sweeping views from Mt. Oyama and Mt. Tsurugidake to Mt. Yakushidake and Goshikigahara. You can ride the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route up to Murodo at about 2,450 m using public transport alone, and climb Mt. Ryuodake as a day trip from Murodo via Mt. Jodosan.
For public transport, you reach Murodo from Tateyama Station on the Toyama Chiho Railway by connecting the Tateyama Cablecar and the Tateyama Kogen Bus.

The trailhead is Murodo (about 2,450 m). The standard route is the loop Murodo → Mt. Jodosan (2,831 m) → Mt. Ryuodake (2,872 m) → Ichinokoshi (2,705 m) → Murodo, with about 2 hours of ridge walking; a day trip is possible including the climb up and down from Murodo. At Mt. Ryuodake, the trail contours around the right side of the summit on scree, and you reach the top by a short there-and-back of about 10 minutes from the junction. The elevation gain is small, but it is a high peak over 2,800 m, so in early summer watch for snow patches, strong wind, and sudden weather changes.
Around Murodo, the Tateyama Murodo Sanso and Ichinokoshi Sanso serve as rest, lodging, and emergency bases. The climbing season is early July to early October, once the early-season snow settles; outside that period snow and ice make the route unsuitable for general hikers. The Alpine Route closes for winter at the end of November.

*Information last checked: June 14, 2026

How to access the trailhead

1. [Outbound] Tateyama Station → Bijodaira → Murodo (Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route)
2. [Return] Murodo → Bijodaira → Tateyama Station

1. [Outbound] Tateyama Station → Bijodaira → Murodo (Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route)

From Tateyama Station on the Toyama Chiho Railway, take the Tateyama Cablecar (about 7 minutes) up to Bijodaira, then transfer to the Tateyama Kogen Bus (about 50 minutes) to the Murodo terminal. The cablecar and the highland bus run on a connecting schedule.

Operating period: April 15 to November 3, 2026 (a different schedule applies Nov 4–Nov 30)
Fare: 4,090 yen one way (cablecar 1,090 yen + highland bus 3,000 yen)
Ride time: Tateyama Station–Bijodaira about 7 min / Bijodaira–Murodo about 50 min

In the busy season, booking a web ticket is recommended. The table below shows representative services connecting all the way from Tateyama Station to Murodo (there are other services too, running roughly every 20–40 minutes). Always confirm the latest times officially.

TimetableTateyama Station → Bijodaira → Murodo (cablecar + highland bus)

For a day-trip out-and-back of Mt. Ryuodake, it is best to reach Murodo on an early service departing 6:40–8:00.

Reference: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route timetable

2. [Return] Murodo → Bijodaira → Tateyama Station

After your descent, take the Tateyama Kogen Bus down from Murodo to Bijodaira, then the Tateyama Cablecar back to Tateyama Station.

Fare: 4,090 yen one way (highland bus 3,000 yen + cablecar 1,090 yen)
Ride time: Murodo–Bijodaira about 60 min / Bijodaira–Tateyama Station about 7 min

The downhill direction also runs on a connecting schedule roughly every 20–40 minutes, as on the way up. The last service from Murodo is generally in the late afternoon (around 4–5 p.m. depending on the season), so descend with time to spare for the last connection. Always confirm the latest times and the last service officially.

Reference: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route timetable

Climbing route and safety notes

Route: the loop Murodo (2,450 m) → Mt. Jodosan (2,831 m) → Mt. Ryuodake (2,872 m) → Ichinokoshi (2,705 m) → Murodo. The ridge walking is about 2 hours, and including the climb up and down from Murodo it is a route that can be done as a day trip. You climb to Mt. Jodosan from the Murodoyama observation-deck side, and because the traverse trail contours around the right side of the summit of Mt. Ryuodake on scree, you reach the top by a roughly 10-minute there-and-back from the junction. From Ichinokoshi a paved path leads back to Murodo.

High-altitude notes: The elevation gain is small, but this is a high peak over 2,800 m where the weather changes quickly, so watch for slips on scree and loose rock. In early summer (early July) snow patches may remain on the climb to Mt. Jodosan, and light crampons are sometimes needed. Above the tree line, be ready for strong wind, lightning, and hypothermia. From the south peak of Mt. Jodosan you can traverse via Zara-toge to Goshikigahara, but that is for strong hikers.

Water, huts, season: There is no water source on the ridge, so get drinking water at Murodo or the huts. The Tateyama Murodo Sanso and Ichinokoshi Sanso are bases for rest, lodging, and emergencies. The climbing season is early July to early October, and the Alpine Route closes for winter at the end of November. Check the latest trail, snow, and hut conditions before you go.

Gear and emergencies: Carry warm layers, rain gear, a headlamp, a map/GPS, and plenty of water and food. In an emergency call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Kamiichi Police Station 076-472-0110

Photo by Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons, CC0