Celestial Views and a Historic Path: Discovering the Dawn of Modern Mountaineering on Mt. Hakuba

 

　Table of Contents

1. Overview of Mt. Hakuba
   
2. The History of Mt. Hakuba
   
3. Recommended Spots on Mt. Hakuba
   

Introduction

Mt. Hakuba, a paradise of silvery ridgelines and alpine flora, towers majestically in the Ushiro-Tateyama Mountain Range of the Northern Japan Alps. For countless mountaineers, its name holds a special significance—a dream destination they aspire to visit, and for those who have, a place of unforgettable, moving experiences etched in their hearts.

In this article, we will thoroughly explore the full appeal of Mt. Hakuba from three distinct perspectives. We will cover its fundamental profile in the "Overview," delve into the stories of people and the peak in its "History," and guide you to the must-see locations in "Recommended Spots," ensuring you miss none of its wonders..

 1. Overview of Mt. Hakuba 

Mt. Hakuba (Shirouma-dake) is a 2,932-meter-high peak straddling the border between Hakuba Village (Kita-Azumi District, Nagano Prefecture) and Kurobe City (Toyama Prefecture). It is the highest peak of the Ushiro-Tateyama Mountain Range in the northern part of the Hida Mountains (Northern Japan Alps). Loved by countless mountaineers for its majestic profile and abundant nature, it has been selected as one of the "One Hundred Famous Japanese Mountains," as well as the "New 100 Famous Mountains of Flowers" and "100 Famous Mountains of Flowers."

・Origin of the Name

Its original Japanese name is "Shirouma-dake." This name originates from a snow patch that appears on the mountainside in early spring, resembling a horse pulling a plow (shirokaki-uma). For the villages at the foot of the mountain, this snow formation served as a traditional sign to begin their agricultural work. Over time, the characters used to write this "plowing horse" (dai-uma) shifted to mean "white horse" (白馬), and with that, the Sino-Japanese reading of "Hakuba" became widespread.

The pronunciation "Hakuba-dake" became firmly established, particularly after the railway line opened at the foot of the mountain in 1906 with its station named "Hakuba," and as the name "HAKUBA" gained international fame as a ski resort. Today, while "Shirouma-dake" is registered as the official name on maps by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, it is also commonly referred to as "Hakuba-dake." The name of Hakuba Village itself is also derived from this mountain.

・Geography and Geology

As the main peak of the Ushiro-Tateyama Mountain Range, Mt. Hakuba forms a magnificent ridgeline that connects to Mt. Korenge in the north and continues to Mt. Shakushi and Mt. Hakuba-Yari in the south. The summit area is relatively gentle and wide, offering excellent panoramic views.

Geologically, the eastern side of the mountain is composed of easily weathered serpentinite. This rock type has led to large-scale collapses, which in turn helped form the Hakuba Daisekkei, one of Japan's three great snow valleys. In contrast, the western side is made of hard granite, creating a distinctly asymmetrical mountain profile. The area around Mt. Hakuba also features several cirques—landforms carved by ancient glaciers.

・Rich Natural Environment

Chosen as one of the "100 Famous Mountains of Flowers," Mt. Hakuba is renowned as a treasure trove of alpine plants. It is especially noted for its many endemic and rare species that have adapted to the unique serpentinite soil.

• Representative Alpine Plants:

  • Callianthemum hondoense (Uruppusou): A rare species found only on Mt. Hakuba, the Yatsugatake Mountains, and Rebun Island in Hokkaido.
  • Pulsatilla cernua (Tsukumogusa): Known as the "queen of alpine flowers," this plant is found only in a few select mountain areas in Japan.
  • Large colonies of other flowers, such as Anemone narcissiflora (Hakusan-ichige), Ranunculus miyabei (Miyama-kinpuge), Dicentra peregrina (Komakusa), and Trollius chinensis (Shinano-kinbai), delight the eyes of hikers.

• Wildlife:

  • The mountain is famous as a habitat for the Rock Ptarmigan (Raicho), which is designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan. With luck, you may spot one in the Siberian Dwarf Pine belt.
  • Other animals, such as stoats (okojo) and Japanese serows (kamoshika), also inhabit the area.

・Hiking

Given its popularity and fame, Mt. Hakuba is well-serviced with hiking trails and mountain huts, making it known as a great introductory mountain for the Northern Japan Alps. However, its high altitude and rapidly changing weather demand proper equipment and careful planning.

• Main Hiking Routes:

  • Hakuba Daisekkei Route: The most popular and direct route to the summit. It involves ascending a snow valley even in summer, making snow equipment like crampons essential. Full caution is also required due to the risk of falling rocks.
  • Tsugaike Panorama Way Route: Starting from the Tsugaike Nature Park, this route uses a gondola and ropeway to begin the hike from an altitude of approximately 1,900 meters. The ridgeline walk via Hakuba Oike Pond and Mt. Korenge is rich in alpine flora and offers outstanding views.
  • Hakuba-Yari Onsen Route: A challenging traverse route for experienced hikers, starting from Sarukura. It involves a stay at the Hakuba-Yari Onsen Goya, a hut with a natural hot spring situated at one of the highest altitudes in Japan.

• Mountain Huts:

  • Hakuba Sanso: A historic mountain hut opened in 1906. With a capacity of around 800 people, it is one of the largest in Japan and is well-equipped with a restaurant and a shop.
  • Hakuba-dake Chojo Shukusha: A mountain hut located about a 15-minute walk from Hakuba Sanso. It has an adjacent campground (tento-ba).
  • Other huts, such as Hakuba Oike Sanso and Hakuba-Yari Onsen Goya, are located along the various routes.

 2. The History of Mt. Hakuba 

The history of Mt. Hakuba has undergone a major transformation: from its ancient role rooted in the lives of the people at its foot, to a stage that pioneered modern mountaineering, and finally, to a world-class mountain resort. Here, we introduce its grand journey through five major milestones.

　1. [A Mountain of Faith and Daily Life] The History of Snow Shapes and Agriculture

Long before the era of modern mountaineering, Mt. Hakuba was an indispensable "calendar" and an object of faith for the people living at its base. Of particular importance were the "snow shapes" that appeared on the mountainside during the spring thaw. People called the horse-shaped form that emerged on the eastern slope the shirokaki-uma ("plowing horse") and used it as a sign to begin their agricultural work, such as flooding rice nurseries and plowing the paddies.

This name, the shirouma ("plowing horse"), which was so closely tied to daily life, was eventually written with the homonymous characters for "white horse" (白馬), also pronounced "shirouma." This became the origin of the mountain's current name. Mt. Hakuba was not only beautiful, but it was also a mountain for survival, deeply connected to the lives of its people.

　2. [The Dawn of Modern Mountaineering] Opening the Door to the World and Laying the Foundation

Entering the Meiji Era, Mt. Hakuba became a central stage in pioneering the history of mountaineering in Japan. The greatest catalyst for this was the 1894 ascent by Walter Weston, an English missionary hailed as the "Father of Modern Japanese Mountaineering." Through his writings, Weston introduced Mt. Hakuba's majestic scenery and beautiful alpine flora to the world, making the name "Japan Alps" internationally famous. Inspired by this, literary author Kojima Usui and others made the ascent in 1902, igniting a passion for mountaineering among Japan's intellectuals and youth.

In response to the growing number of climbers, one of Japan's earliest commercial mountain huts, the "Hakuba Sanso," was built just below the summit in 1906 through the efforts of local guide Matsuzawa Teiitsu and others. These three key events of the Meiji period—introduction to the world, a surge in domestic popularity, and the development of mountaineering infrastructure—worked in tandem to establish Mt. Hakuba's unshakeable status as a sacred site for modern mountaineering.

　3. [A Regional Symbol] The Birth of "Hakuba Village," Named After the Mountain

As mountaineering developed, Mt. Hakuba became a source of regional pride and the very identity of its people. A symbolic event in this regard was the birth of "Hakuba Village" in 1958. When the villages of Kamishiro and Hokujo at the mountain's base were set to merge, the name of Mt. Hakuba was chosen for the new village, as it was a great symbol common to both.

It is rare for a mountain's name to become the official administrative name of a municipality, a fact that speaks volumes about how much Mt. Hakuba has been loved and has served as a spiritual pillar for the people of this region.

　4. [A Great Nature to Be Protected] National Park Designation and Environmental Conservation Awareness

As hiking grew in popularity, concerns about the environmental impact from the large number of visitors began to emerge. Amidst this, the Mt. Hakuba area was recognized for its outstanding natural landscapes, rare alpine plant communities like Callianthemum hondoense (Uruppusou), and precious ecosystems including the Rock Ptarmigan. In 1956, it was designated as a Special Protection Zone within the "Chubu-Sangaku National Park."

This was a significant turning point that officially positioned Mt. Hakuba's value not merely as an object for climbing, but as "a great nature to be protected" as a national treasure. Since this designation, various efforts to preserve its beautiful nature for future generations—such as trail maintenance, vegetation protection, and Rock Ptarmigan conservation activities—have continued to this day.

　5. [The Leap to an International Resort] The Nagano Olympics and the Global "HAKUBA"

After the ski boom of the Showa Era, the foothills of Mt. Hakuba developed into one of Japan's leading ski resorts. However, it was the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics that brought its name to global fame. Hakuba Village became the venue for events like the Alpine Skiing competitions, attracting athletes and spectators from all over the world. This established "HAKUBA" as an international brand, transforming it into a year-round mountain resort where skiers and snowboarders from across the globe come seeking not only summer hiking but also exceptional powder snow.

Fusing its historic mountain culture with world-class hospitality, Mt. Hakuba continues to attract countless people today.

The appeal of Mt. Hakuba extends far beyond the sense of accomplishment you feel upon reaching its 2,932-meter summit. Along the trails leading there and within the vast nature that surrounds it, there are countless scenic spots that will deeply move any visitor. Here, we have carefully selected the must-see spots you should not miss when visiting the Mt. Hakuba area.

　1. The Summit of Mt. Hakuba (2,932m) - A Sense of Accomplishment and a 360° Grand Panorama

※出展：ヤマレコ

The one place that cannot be missed is, of course, the summit of Mt. Hakuba. Standing on the wide, open peak, you are greeted by a sense of accomplishment that blows away all fatigue and a breathtaking grand panorama. You can gaze upon the famous peaks of the Northern Japan Alps: to the north, Mt. Korenge and the Sea of Japan; to the east, Mt. Myoko and the Togakushi Mountain Range; to the south, the Hakuba Sanzan (Mt. Shakushi, Mt. Hakuba-Yari) extending to Mt. Kashima-Yari; and to the west, Mt. Tsurugi and the Tateyama Mountain Range.

If the weather is clear, you can even see the distant figure of Mt. Fuji. The first-order triangulation point installed at the summit has become a symbol for commemorative photos for many hikers. The beauty of the sunrise and sunset is exceptional—a supreme luxury that can only be truly appreciated by staying overnight in a mountain hut.

　2. Hakuba Daisekkei - An Otherworldly Experience Walking on One of Japan's Three Great Snow Valleys

※出展：ヤマレコ

This "Hakuba Daisekkei" (Hakuba Great Snow Valley) is truly synonymous with Mt. Hakuba. It is one of Japan's Three Great Snow Valleys, alongside the Fuji Osawa on Mt. Fuji and the Harinoki Sekkei on Mt. Harinoki, boasting a magnificent scale with a total length of about 3.5 km and an elevation change of approximately 600m. Even in midsummer, a cool breeze blows through, and the experience of walking through a silver world surrounded by towering rock walls is truly otherworldly.

While crampons with six or more points are mandatory for walking on the snow, and caution is needed especially in autumn when crevasses deepen, its powerful scenery never ceases to attract countless mountaineers. In summer, the area around "Nebukappira" on the upper part of the valley comes alive as alpine flowers bloom all at once, adding a delicate touch of color to the harsh nature.

Note: There is a constant risk of falling rocks on the snow valley, so wearing a helmet is strongly recommended. Visibility can be especially poor on days with bad weather, so reckless behavior is strictly prohibited.

　3. Hakuba Oike Pond and Hakuba Oike Sanso - A Mystical Lake Floating in the Heavens

Located on the route from Tsugaike Nature Park to Mt. Hakuba is "Hakuba Oike Pond," situated at an altitude of 2,379m. It is the largest volcanically dammed lake in the Northern Japan Alps, and its mesmerizingly clear, blue surface creates a stunning contrast with the green of the surrounding Siberian dwarf pines and the rugged mountain terrain.

The red-roofed "Hakuba Oike Sanso" (mountain hut) standing on the shore adds a splash of color to the landscape, creating a picture-perfect beauty. From late July to August, fields of flowers like Chinguruma and Hakusan Kozakura spread around the lake, creating a scene truly worthy of being called a paradise in the sky.

　4. Tsugaike Nature Park - A Paradise of Alpine Plants You Can Enjoy with Ease

While it serves as one of the main gateways for climbing Mt. Hakuba, this location is a premier tourist spot in its own right. Accessible via a gondola and ropeway ride to an altitude of about 1,900m, it features one of Japan's most prominent high-altitude wetlands. A network of wooden boardwalks with a total length of about 5.5km is well-maintained, allowing even those not confident in their physical strength or families with children to casually enjoy the magnificent nature of the high mountains and the superb view of the Hakuba Sanzan.

Its greatest charm is how it shows completely different faces with each season, beginning with the large colonies of Asian skunk cabbage (Mizubasho) in late June, followed by cottongrass (Watasuge) and daylilies (Nikko-kisuge) in summer, and spectacular grassland autumn colors in the fall.

　5. Hakuba Sanso - Japan's Largest Mountain Hut You'll Want to Stay In

※出展：ヤマレコ

Standing just below the summit of Mt. Hakuba at an altitude of 2,832m, "Hakuba Sanso" is not just an accommodation facility but a destination worth visiting in itself. It boasts the largest capacity in Japan, accommodating about 800 people, and has a long history, having been founded in 1906. Inside, in addition to lodging, you will find an observation restaurant called "Sky Plaza Hakuba," a shop with a wide variety of original merchandise, and even a coffee lounge—amenities so extensive you would hardly believe you are on a mountaintop.

The greatest appeal is what only overnight guests can experience: the majestic sunrise from the summit and a star-filled sky so close it feels like you can touch it. A night at this hut, where history and comfort coexist, will surely become an unforgettable memory of your Mt. Hakuba climb.

[Bonus] Happo Pond - A Breathtaking View of the Hakuba Sanzan Reflected in a Water Mirror

While not on a hiking route to Mt. Hakuba, "Happo Pond" is a place you should make the effort to visit if you are in the Hakuba area. Located at an altitude of 2,060m on the Happo-one Ridge, it can be reached with relative ease by taking a gondola and a series of chairlifts. The true essence of this spot is the "water mirror" (mizukagami) view: on a calm, clear day, the pond's surface becomes perfectly still, flawlessly reflecting the magnificent figures of the Hakuba Sanzan (Mt. Hakuba, Mt. Shakushi, and Mt. Hakuba-Yari).

Its mystical beauty has graced the covers of numerous tourist posters and photo books, making it a truly iconic landscape of Hakuba.

 In Conclusion 

We have journeyed through the core appeals of Mt. Hakuba—from its overview and the history woven by its people to the recommended spots where breathtaking views await. What did you think?

I hope this article has shown you that Mt. Hakuba is not merely a beautiful mountain, but a profoundly versatile field that reveals different faces depending on the visitor's skill level and objectives.

With meticulous planning, full preparation, and a never-fading respect for nature... now, take your own first step into the world of the heavens where the queen of the Northern Alps awaits. An unforgettable, moving experience is surely waiting for you there.