HIGHLIGHTS

A full north to south, 7-day traverse of the North Alps, from Tateyama (one of Japan's three most sacred mountains) via Yarigatake peak in Kamikochi to Oku Hotaka (at 3,190 metres Japan's third highest mountain). This is the ultimate long distance hike in Japan's highest mountain range. A truly exhilarating experience!

Guide - Bob Heffill

Bob first visited Japan in 1973. After graduating from the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies in 1980, he worked in Japan as an English teacher in state schools for three years. He subsequently spent over twenty years working as a professional Japanese translator and interpreter. Bob established Hike Japan in 2003 after completing his Mountain Leader training course. He now runs Hike Japan - a company specializing in small group walking adventures - together with a network of expert local guides.

Style of tour
Japanese-speaking British leader. Accommodation in mountain huts

Dates
18 – 25 July 2009

Price for 2009
175,000 yen

Duration
7 nights/8 days

Hiking days
7 days

Grade
Strenuous

Group size
Maximum: 8 Clients Minimum: 4 Clients

Includes:
All domestic transport, accommodation, meals, guides, entrance and activity fees

Does not include:
International Flights, drinks

Booking

www.hikejapan.com

info@hikejapan.com

Phone:

Japan tel/fax: (+)81 (0)3 5226 1169
Japan : (+81) (0)80 3445 1130 (mob)
UK : (+44) (0)207 353 2363

Hike Japan Ltd.
Registered office
89 Fleet Street London EC4Y 1DH

INTRODUCTION

Tokyo · Murodo · Tateyama · Goshikigahara · Yakushidake · Kurobegoro · Yarigatake · Jonen · Matsumoto · Tokyo

Mountains cover about 80% of the islands of Japan . The North Alps of Honshu, the main island are the jewel in the crown, the Koh-i-Noor diamond in the smouldering necklace of peaks that lie along north-western Pacific rim .

The route from Tateyama to Kamikochi is a classic alpine hiking route. The hike is for those who love mountain walking and are fit enough to scale the fixed ladders in place to help us over the more difficult steps. No technical abilities are needed but surefootedness and a head for heights is recommended! This should not put you off - the routes are well marked and thousands of keen walkers do them every year. We make use of the amazing network of mountain huts in the North Japan Alps. These are clean, comfortable, and run with typical efficiency.

Daytime temperatures will be warm or hot in July (20-25ºC), but the nights are cooler on the peaks.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERAY

DAY 1 – SATURDAY MEET SHINJUKU, TOKYO. TRANSFER TO TATEYAMA

Take train to Shinano-Omachi and transfer via bus, ropeway, and cable car, to Murodo near Tateyama. The oldest mountain hut in Japan still stands at Murodo. After we arrive there may be time for a short walk around the sulphurous, bubbling volcanic valley below Tateyama peak nearby.

Overnight mountain hut

DAY 2 – SUNDAY HIKE FROM MURODO via TATEYAMA TO GOSHIKI GA HARA

10km About 7 hours

Good views of Tsurugi to the north as we begin our trek south. Both Murodo and Goshiki huts have baths (most mountain huts do not have baths as water use is strictly limited on the peaks).

Overnight mountain hut

DAY 3 – MONDAY HIKE GOSHIKI GA HARA TO SUGONORIKOSHI GOYA

7km About 5 hours

A relatively short, comfortable day of ridge hiking.

DAY 4 – TUESDAY HIKE SUGONORIKOSHI GOYA TO YAKUSHIDAKE SANSO

7km About 5 hours

Another shortish day of hiking today towards the long, striding ridge of Yakushidake. Yakushi Nyorai is the Buddhist deity of medicine and healing. There is a small shrine on top of Yakushidake. Great views now open below and all around. The mountains seem to stretch endlessly in all directions.

Overnight mountain hut

DAY 5 – WEDNESDAY HIKE YAKUSHIDAKE SANSO TO KUROBEGORO GOYA

12km About 7 hours.

More fine Alpine walking as we continue south during a longer hiking day. Before lunch we pass through a particularly attractive valley with a mountain stream above the Tarobeigoya hut.

Overnight mountain hut

DAY 6 – THURSDAY HIKE KUROBEGORO GOYA TO YARIGATAKE

12km About 9 hours

Via Momisawa dake, along a route again offering fine views of the mountains in all directions. Yaridake Sanso, our hut for the night, is perched on a saddle just below the pyramidal peak of Yari , at 3,060m.

Overnight mountain hut

DAY 7 – FRIDAY HIKE YARIGATAKE TO HOTAKADAKE

8km About 8 hours

An early start for a day of classic mountain hiking. Today's hike is an exciting ridge route with airy sections. There are fine views of the Kamikochi Valley and Mount Hotaka. This section of the route has been referred to as ‘the most exhilarating bit of hiking in Japan that does not require any specialist skills'. The scenery is stunning.

Overnight mountain hut

DAY 8 – SATURDAY HOTAKADAKE TO KAMIKOCHI AND TRANSFER TO TOKYO

9km About 6 hours

After climbing, weather permitting, to the third highest spot in Japan, the route descends 1600 metres off the roof of Japan to the Kamikochi Valley floor.

Transfer to Matsumoto and from there to Tokyo by train. Celebration dinner.

We will help book your accommodation before and/or after the trek. We can help plan your itinerary.

TRIP NOTES

Equipment & Clothing

You will need a medium-sized rucksack (at least 50 litres) that will carry changes of clothes needed for this seven-day hike. Waterproof outer shell required. Walking boots with ankles and good grips and gloves for the sections with ladders/chains are recommended. Water is rationed at many high huts, and use of cosmetics discouraged. Bring a towel. Other suggested items are given in a dossier.

Accommodation

NORTH ALPS: mountain huts

Mountain huts have either bunk beds or tatami mat rooms. All are shared and are mixed sex. Food is mostly Japanese-style and filling, but bring snacks if you have a preference. Lunches are normally o-nigiri rice balls made for us by the huts. Snacks and drinks can be purchased en route.

Meal Plan

All meals are provided.

Important Notes

Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but we cannot make absolute guarantees! Changes to the itinerary will normally be made to introduce an improvement. Weather conditions, road and transport conditions, and the health of walkers can all contribute to changes. The guide will ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy-going nature is an asset!