Mt. Tomuraushi (トムラウシ山)

Mt. Tomuraushi (トムラウシ山, 2,141 m) is a remote peak in Daisetsuzan National Park straddling Shintoku and Biei in central Hokkaido. Known as “Japan’s last frontier” and the “Garden of the Gods“, it is an alpine-flower paradise and a 100 Famous Mountain of Japan (Kyūya Fukada’s selection).

The Tomuraushi Garden of tarns, the great Chinguruma and Ezo-kozakura flower fields, and the volcanic rock-garden boulders just below the summit are the highlights, with a vast view over the Daisetsuzan range from the top. Even the shortest “Short course” is about 12 hours round trip, 18 km, 1,526 m of elevation gain, with no escape routes — firmly an advanced★★★★★ mountain.

*Timetable last checked: May 21, 2026

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Obihiro / Sapporo → JR Shintoku Station (JR Limited Express Tokachi / Ozora)
2. [Round trip] Shintoku Station ⇔ Tomuraushi Onsen (Hokkaido Takushoku Bus, summer only)
3. [Round trip] Tomuraushi Onsen ⇔ Short course trailhead (taxi / car, 8 km)
4. Trail overview, suggested plans, emergency contacts

Standard times (Short course, out-and-back, advanced, ~12 hours)

Short course trailhead (900 m) → (1:30) → Kamui-tenjo → (2:00) → Komadori-zawa junction (1,350 m, water) → (1:00) → Maetomu-daira (1,800 m, water) → (1:30) → Tomuraushi Garden → (1:00) → Minami-numa junction → (0:30) → Mt. Tomuraushi summit (2,141 m) → (4:30) → Short course trailhead

1. [Outbound] Obihiro / Sapporo → JR Shintoku Station (JR Limited Express Tokachi / Ozora)

The base for Mt. Tomuraushi is Shintoku Town on the JR Nemuro Main Line. From Sapporo Station, the JR Limited Express Ozora (Kushiro-bound) takes about 2 h 30 min for ¥7,150. From Obihiro Station, the JR Limited Express Tokachi takes about 30 min for ¥1,790. From major Honshu cities, use New Chitose Airport or Obihiro Airport.

JR and airport access guide :
Tokyo / Osaka → Obihiro Airport : direct flights (JAL/ANA) about 1 h 35 min – 2 h
New Chitose Airport → Shintoku Station : JR Rapid Airport + Ozora from Sapporo, about 3 h, ~¥9,000
Sapporo Station → Shintoku Station : JR Limited Express Ozora about 2 h 30 min, ¥7,150 (reserved)
Obihiro Station → Shintoku Station : JR Limited Express Tokachi about 30 min, ¥1,790

Reference : JR Hokkaido ｜ Shintoku Town Tourism
Inquiries : JR Shintoku Station ☎0156-64-5366

2. [Round trip] Shintoku Station ⇔ Tomuraushi Onsen (Hokkaido Takushoku Bus, summer only)

From Shintoku Station, Hokkaido Takushoku Bus reaches Tomuraushi Onsen (Higashi-Daisetsu-so) in about 1 h 35 min for ¥2,000 one way. However, service is restricted to the summer climbing season (typically mid-July to mid-August), with only 1–2 runs per day. Outside the season the only option is taxi (Shintoku Station → Tomuraushi Onsen, about 1 h, ~¥15,000).

Operating period : Typically mid-Jul to mid-Aug (climbing season only, varies by year)
Travel time : Shintoku Station → Tomuraushi Onsen Higashi-Daisetsu-so about 1 h 35 min
Fare : ¥2,000 (one way)
Frequency : 1–2 runs per day, confirm in advance

Shintoku Station → Tomuraushi Onsen (Hokkaido Takushoku Bus summer only, hiker excerpt)

Tomuraushi Onsen → Shintoku Station (Hokkaido Takushoku Bus summer only, return)

Note : The 2026 period and times must be confirmed (recent years ran 7/15–8/16). Outside the season, taxi is the only option, so reserve well in advance (Shintoku Hire ☎0156-64-5155). A direct taxi from Shintoku Station costs about ¥15,000; guests of Tomuraushi Onsen typically rely on the bus.

Reference : Tomuraushi Onsen Higashi-Daisetsu-so access ｜ Shintoku Tourism latest climbing info
Inquiries : Hokkaido Takushoku Bus ☎0155-31-8811 / Higashi-Daisetsu-so ☎0156-65-3021

3. [Round trip] Tomuraushi Onsen ⇔ Short course trailhead (taxi / car, 8 km)

From Tomuraushi Onsen Higashi-Daisetsu-so (650 m) to the Short course trailhead (900 m) is about 8 km / 30 min by car on a forest road. There is no scheduled bus — taxi or private car only. Taxi (Shintoku Hire etc.) for a 4-seater is about ¥13,900 one way, reservation needed 1–2 months in advance; the return trip also needs a taxi reservation. Guests staying at Higashi-Daisetsu-so can ask the lodge about trailhead transfer service.

Access guide :
Higashi-Daisetsu-so → Short course trailhead : car about 30 min (8 km); taxi (small car) about ¥13,900 one way
Higashi-Daisetsu-so guests : ask about lodge transfer
Return : reserve another taxi / transfer in advance

Note : The forest road has been closed in the past due to ageing bridges; confirm the latest status via Shintoku Tourism or the Tokachi Western Forestry Office Higashi-Daisetsu Branch ☎01564-2-2141. The trailhead has a simple toilet and parking (~30 spaces).

Reference : Tomuraushi Onsen Higashi-Daisetsu-so
Inquiries : Shintoku Hire ☎0156-64-5155 / Shikaoi Hire ☎0156-66-2525 / Higashi-Daisetsu-so ☎0156-65-3021

4. Trail overview, suggested plans, emergency contacts

About Mt. Tomuraushi
An independent peak (2,141 m) in central Hokkaido between the Daisetsuzan range and the Tokachi range. It is at the heart of “Kamuy Mintar” (Garden of the Gods); highlights include the Tomuraushi Garden of tarns, the great Chinguruma and Ezo-kozakura flower fields, and the boulder rock-garden of volcanic terrain just below the summit. Called “Japan’s last frontier“, it is one of Kyūya Fukada’s 100 Famous Mountains.

Trail summary
– Short course (standard, advanced ★★★★★, ~12 h, 18 km, 1,526 m gain): Short course trailhead → Kamui-tenjo → Komadori-zawa → Maetomu-daira → Tomuraushi Garden → summit out-and-back
– Daisetsuzan to Tomuraushi traverse (advanced, 2–3 nights): from Asahi-dake or Kuro-dake, overnighting at Hisago-numa emergency hut and Minami-numa designated campsite
– Water: Komadori-zawa junction and just before Maetomu-daira (only 2 points, boil before drinking)
– Toilets: at the Short course trailhead; on the mountain, mobile toilets only (mobile-toilet booth at Minami-numa campsite)
– Lodging: Tomuraushi Onsen Higashi-Daisetsu-so (base), Minami-numa campsite, Hisago-numa emergency hut

Climbing season: early July to late September. July is peak for alpine flowers (Chinguruma, Ezo-kozakura, Iwaume, Kibana-shakunage). Autumn colours from late August (Japan’s earliest). Residual snow lingers on Komadori-zawa until early July.

Cautions
– Even the Short course takes ~12 hours round trip: day-hiking suits only fit hikers, overnight at Higashi-Daisetsu-so the night before is the realistic plan
– Long exposed ridges hit directly by wind and rain — high hypothermia risk (the 2009 disaster lesson): full warm and windproof gear; turn back in bad weather
– Only 2 water points: carry at least 3 L (4 L in summer)
– Bear sightings common (Komadori-zawa to Maetomu-daira): carry bells and pepper spray
– Mobile toilet required: no toilets on the ridges
– Climbing plan: file at the trailhead dropbox and pre-submit to Furano Police (☎0167-22-0110)

Emergency contacts and inquiries

• Shintoku Town Hall (climbing info): ☎0156-64-5111 / Shintoku Tourism: ☎0156-64-0522
• Furano Police Station (climbing plan, mountain rescue): ☎0167-22-0110
• Tomuraushi Onsen Higashi-Daisetsu-so (lodging, transfer): ☎0156-65-3021
• Tokachi Western Forestry Office Higashi-Daisetsu Branch (road status): ☎01564-2-2141
• Shintoku Hire (taxi): ☎0156-64-5155

Suggested plans

• 1-night, Short course day hike + overnight at Higashi-Daisetsu-so (recommended, standard): Day 1 Sapporo → Shintoku Station → Takushoku Bus → Higashi-Daisetsu-so overnight (dinner + hot spring). Day 2 early start 4:00 (transfer / taxi) → Short course trailhead 4:30 → summit 10:30 → descend 16:30 → bathe at Higashi-Daisetsu-so → Takushoku Bus or taxi to Shintoku Station
• 2-night, Minami-numa camp + summit attempt: Day 1 overnight at Higashi-Daisetsu-so. Day 2 Short course trailhead → Minami-numa campsite overnight (tent, gear needed). Day 3 early summit attempt → Short course trailhead → bathe at Higashi-Daisetsu-so → return

Reference : Shintoku Tourism latest climbing info ｜ Daisetsuzan National Park Council

Photo by alpsdake