Mt. Yakushi
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Mt. Yakushi (Yakushidake, 薬師岳, 2,926 m) is located in Toyama Prefecture. One of the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan, it anchors the “Ura-Gin’za traverse” in the Northern Alps. From the summit, a 360° panorama opens to Mt. Yari, Mt. Hotaka, Mt. Suishō, and Mt. Kurobegorō. The view of Yakushi Pond just below the summit, with Mt. Yari beyond, is one of the iconic scenes of the Northern Alps.
The shortest approach is JR Toyama → Toyama Chihō Railway Arimineguchi Station → Natsuyama Bus (Arimine Line) to Oritate. From Oritate, the summit is about 8 hours via Tarōdaira (standard 1-night plan). Alternative entry via Shin-Hotaka Onsen and Sugoroku Goya is also possible.
The Natsuyama Bus to Oritate typically runs from mid-July to late September; reservation is mandatory and opens one month in advance.
● Reservations: Toyama Chitetsu Ticket Center TEL 076-442-8122 (9:00–18:00) or Hassha Ōraī Net
● Latest timetable / fares: Toyama Chihō Railway — Natsuyama Bus (Arimine Line)
Outside the operating period (October–June), there is no public-transport access to Oritate.
Bus Timetable: Toyama Sta. / Arimineguchi → Oritate (Toyama Chitetsu Natsuyama Bus, Arimine Line, reservation only)
| Dep. Toyama Sta. | Dep. Arimineguchi | Arr. Oritate |
|---|---|---|
| 6:10 | 7:00 | 7:50 |
| ― | 10:00 | 10:55 |
Bus Timetable: Oritate → Arimineguchi / Toyama Sta. (Toyama Chitetsu Natsuyama Bus, Arimine Line, reservation only)
| Dep. Oritate | Arr. Arimineguchi | Arr. Toyama Sta. |
|---|---|---|
| 8:40 | 9:30 | ― |
| 12:10 | 13:00 | 14:10 |
Yakushidake can be reached from Oritate (Toyama side) or Shin-Hotaka Onsen (Gifu side). This article covers the shortest public-transport approach via Oritate. From Shin-Hotaka, it is about 7 hours via Sugoroku Goya.
- [Outbound] Toyama Station → Arimineguchi Station → Oritate (Natsuyama Bus)
- [Return] Oritate → Arimineguchi Station → Toyama Station
- Recommended plans and trail-area info
1. [Outbound] Toyama Station → Arimineguchi Station → Oritate (Natsuyama Bus)
From JR Toyama Station, transfer to the Toyama Chihō Railway and ride to Arimineguchi Station. From there, take the Natsuyama Bus (Arimine Line) to its terminus at Oritate. A through bus runs from Toyama Station to Oritate as well. From Oritate, Tarōdaira is about 5 h; the summit is another 3 h via Yakushidake Sansō (about 8 h in total).
Time: Arimineguchi → Oritate about 60 min / Toyama Station → Oritate about 2 h 20 min
Fare: Arimineguchi → Oritate about ¥1,800 / Toyama Station → Oritate about ¥3,300 (round-trip ticket available)
● Operating period: typically mid-July to late September.
● First departure: Toyama Station about 6:30 / Arimineguchi about 7:30 (varies by year).
● Mandatory reservation: booking opens one month before; reservations take priority even when seats appear available on the day.
● Oritate parking lot is free, about 100 spaces.
Reference: Toyama Chihō Railway — Natsuyama Bus (Arimine Line)
2. [Return] Oritate → Arimineguchi Station → Toyama Station
From Oritate, take the Natsuyama Bus to Arimineguchi Station or Toyama Station. For an after-hike onsen, get off one stop before Arimineguchi at “Kamegai Onsen” — Shirakaba Haitsu sits near the bus stop.
Time: Oritate → Arimineguchi about 50 min / Oritate → Toyama Station about 2 h
Fare: Oritate → Arimineguchi about ¥1,800 / Oritate → Toyama Station about ¥3,300
From Toyama, the Hokuriku Shinkansen reaches Tokyo in 2 h 10 min – 3 h. If descending toward Shin-Hotaka Onsen, return via Takayama Station on the JR Takayama Line and continue from Nagoya.
Reference: Toyama Chihō Railway — Natsuyama Bus (Arimine Line)
3. Recommended plans and trail-area info
Standard 1-night plan: Day 1 — Toyama Station → Oritate → Tarōdaira Goya (about 5 h). Day 2 — Tarōdaira Goya → Yakushidake and back (about 5 h) → Oritate → Toyama Station.
Sleeping just below the summit (1 night): Day 1 — Oritate → Tarōdaira Goya → Yakushidake Sansō. Day 2 — the summit at first light → Tarōdaira → Oritate.
Traverse on to Kumonodaira and Mt. Suishō (3 nights): Oritate → Tarōdaira Goya → Yakushidake and back → Yakushizawa → Kumonodaira → Mitsumata Sansō → Mt. Suishō and back → Tarōdaira → Oritate.
● Huts: Yakushidake Sansō (just southwest of and below the summit, 2,701 m, TEL 076-451-9222); Tarōdaira Goya (2,330 m, 150 beds, reservation required, TEL 076-482-1418). Both open in summer only.
● Water: Oritate trailhead, Tarōdaira Goya and Yakushizawa Goya. There is none on the ridge between Yakushidake Sansō and the summit.
● Toilets: at Oritate bus stop and at every hut (¥100–300 donation).
● Onsen after the hike: Kamegai Onsen “Shirakaba Haitsu” (¥500).
● Emergency: Toyama Prefectural Police mountain rescue, 076-441-2211.
Photo source: Wikipedia
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