Mt. Tsurugi-gozen

Mt. Tsurugi-gozen (剣御前, 2,777 m) is a peak of the Tateyama range in the Northern Alps, in Tateyama Town, Toyama, and one of the 100 Highest Mountains.
It stands on the ridge facing Mt. Tsurugi across the Tsurugi-sawa valley, just above the Tsurugi-gozen-goya hut at the Bessan-norikoshi pass, and is famous among mountain photographers as a superb viewpoint for Mt. Tsurugi. Unlike Mt. Tsurugi itself it has no chained crags; from Murodō you climb via Raichōzawa and the Raichōzaka slope and return over the same route, making it one of the more approachable summits of the Tateyama range. By public transport you take the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route to Murodō and climb on foot from there.

The base is Murodō (about 2,450 m) on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. From the Murodō terminal you pass Mikuri-ga-ike and the Raichōsō hut, descend to the Raichōzawa campground (Jōdobashi), then climb the steep Raichōzaka slope to the Bessan-norikoshi pass (Tsurugi-gozen-goya, about 2,750 m); from the pass it is about 20–30 minutes along the ridge to the summit of Mt. Tsurugi-gozen. It is about 3 hours up and about 2 hours 30 minutes down from Murodō, so a fit hiker can do it as a day trip, though many stay a night at the Tsurugi-gozen-goya or Raichōzawa and combine it with Mt. Bessan and Mt. Tsurugi.
The hut on the ridge is the Tsurugi-gozen-goya (Bessan-norikoshi; open for overnight stays April 28–October 17, 2026; reservations by phone only, tel. 080-8694-5076 (reception about 7:00–19:50)). The best season is mid-July to early October, after the snow settles; earlier in the season crossing the snow on the Raichōzaka requires front-point crampons and an ice axe. The routes beyond the pass toward Mt. Bessan, Tsurugi-sawa and Mt. Tsurugi are more advanced; this article covers the round trip to Mt. Tsurugi-gozen from Murodō.

*Timetable last checked: Jun 14, 2026

Access to the trailhead (Murodō)

1. [Outbound] Tateyama Sta. → Bijodaira → Murodō
2. [Return] Murodō → Bijodaira → Tateyama Sta.

1. [Outbound] Tateyama Sta. → Bijodaira → Murodō

The base on the Toyama side is Tateyama Station of the Toyama Chihō Railway. Take the Tateyama Cable Car to Bijodaira (about 7 min, ¥1,090), then change to the Tateyama Kogen Bus to Murodō (about 50 min, ¥3,000). Bijodaira is the transfer hub; the full cable-car-and-bus connection is shown in the table below. The Murodō terminal is the starting point of the climb.

Operating period: regular timetable April 15–November 3, 2026 (annual PDF).

Timetable ①: Tateyama Sta. →(cable) Bijodaira →(highland bus) Murodō (outbound, connections)

▼ = certain operating days only (Apr 15–May 15, Jul 18–19, Aug 11–15, Sep 19–22, Oct 10–11). Service frequency varies by season, so plan around the morning departures that reach the trailhead early.

Trailhead: the Murodō terminal. From the terminal, pass Mikuri-ga-ike and the Raichōsō hut, descend to Raichōzawa and climb the Raichōzaka. By car: park at Tateyama Station and take the cable car + highland bus to Murodō (private cars are not allowed up to Murodō).

Reference: [Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route timetable]

2. [Return] Murodō → Bijodaira → Tateyama Sta.

After the descent, take the Tateyama Kogen Bus from Murodō to Bijodaira (about 50–70 min, ¥3,000), then change to the Tateyama Cable Car to Tateyama Station (about 7 min, ¥1,090). The last bus from Murodō is usually around 17:00, so allow plenty of time for the descent of the Raichōzaka and start down early.

Operating period: regular timetable April 15–November 3, 2026 (annual PDF).

Timetable ②: Murodō →(highland bus) Bijodaira →(cable) Tateyama Sta. (return, connections)

◆ = certain operating days only (Apr 15–May 15, Jul 18–19, Aug 11–15, Sep 19–22, Oct 10–11). Come down with enough margin so you do not miss the last service.

Reference: [Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route timetable]

Route and safety notes

Route (Murodō–Raichōzaka round trip): Murodō terminal → Mikuri-ga-ike and Raichōsō hut → Raichōzawa campground / Jōdobashi (about 45 min, about 200 m of descent) → steep Raichōzaka → Tsurugi-gozen-goya / Bessan-norikoshi (about 2 hours, about 500 m of gain) → summit of Mt. Tsurugi-gozen (about 20–30 min). About 3 hours up and about 2 hours 30 minutes down from Murodō. With the first morning service to Murodō a day trip is possible, but keep a margin for the last bus.

Lodging: at the Bessan-norikoshi pass is the Tsurugi-gozen-goya (about 2,750 m; open for overnight stays April 28–October 17, 2026; reservations by phone only, tel. 080-8694-5076 (about 7:00–19:50); a ¥1,500 surcharge applies April–June). For tents, use the Tsurugi-sawa campground below the pass toward Tsurugi-sawa, or the Raichōzawa campground on the Murodō side. The Tsurugi-gozen-goya is a fine viewpoint for Mt. Tsurugi and serves as a base for hikers heading to Mt. Tsurugi, Mt. Bessan and Tsurugi-sawa.

Raichōzaka: the climb from Raichōzawa to the Bessan-norikoshi is a long, steep slope with about 500 m of gain, the hardest part of the route. In the snow season (roughly through June) snow lingers on the Raichōzaka, with a risk of slipping, so front-point crampons, an ice axe and self-arrest skills are needed.

The summit of Mt. Tsurugi-gozen: from the Bessan-norikoshi a ridge walk leads to the summit. Across the Tsurugi-sawa, Mt. Tsurugi rises large, with sweeping views to Tateyama, the Ushiro-Tateyama range and the Kezuri-san trio. The ridge is exposed, so take care in strong wind, lightning or fog, and do not push on in poor visibility.

Beyond the pass: from the pass routes branch north to Mt. Bessan (south peak 2,874 m, north peak 2,880 m) and east, descending Tsurugi-sawa toward Mt. Tsurugi. Mt. Tsurugi itself is one of Japan’s most demanding peaks, with chained sections such as Kani-no-Tatebai and Kani-no-Yokobai, and is outside the scope of this article. Mt. Tsurugi-gozen alone has no chained crags, but be prepared for sudden alpine weather and a long climb and descent.

Season and gear: the snow-free season is mid-July to early October. Murodō is high at about 2,450 m and chilly morning and evening even in midsummer, so carry rain gear, warm clothing, a hat and gloves. A headlamp, map, and ample water and food are essential.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue). The Toyama Prefectural Police mountain rescue team covers the Tateyama–Tsurugi area. Check the latest trail and weather information at Murodō or the Tsurugi-gozen-goya before setting out.

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