Hakusan Hirasedo (Nagano)
- Apr 22, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 24
Hakusan 2,702m is one of Japan’s three sacred volcanoes, alongside Mt. Fuji and Tateyama. The Hirasedo trailhead on the Gifu side is relatively quiet and easy to access from Nagoya. At the base of the trail, there is a striking blue dam lake as well as an open-air onsen nearby.
Access to the trailhead is via a mountain road that is often closed, so road conditions should be checked in advance before travelling.
⏲︎ Time: 7-10h
✎ Kanji: 白山
⚲ Location: Nagano
↔ Distance: 15.5km
✮ Difficulty: Intermediate
ᨒ Elevation Gain: 1637m
☀ Dayhike
☉ Hiking Season: mid July
to mid October
Access
Car
The access road for the Hirasedo trailhead is closed for most of the year, and usually only open from June to September/October. Even then, it's often closed depending on weather and after rain due to frequent rockfall, etc. The road is called 451 and you'll have to check beforehand if it's open. The road is one lane only and quite narrow. Be careful when driving at night and with oncoming traffic.
The trailhead has toilets and a little shop by the onsen.
Public Transportation
There is no public transportion access for this trailhead. It's still possible to hike Hakusan but you need to start from the Bettodeai trailhead and Ishikawa side.
Trail description
The trail begins steeply behind a small wooden shelter near the first parking area. Well-maintained log steps lead up through the forest, with a significant portion of the elevation gain covered over a short distance. After approximately two to three hours, Okura Shelter is reached. This is a good rest point and also offers a free option for turning the route into an overnight hike.
Shortly after passing the shelter, the trail opens up and the first clear views of Hakusan appear to the right.
From Okura Shelter, it takes about one hour to reach Hakusan Murodo, the large hut and visitor centre located just below the summit. Facilities include toilets, a restaurant, and snacks.
From Murodo, the summit is reached in approximately 40 minutes. After visiting the peak and shrine, the route descends toward the backside of the mountain and the surrounding ponds. The crater plateau near the summit features numerous small ponds with an intense blue colour. The area can be explored via a loop that returns to Murodo. With extra time, a detour to Onanjigamine offers panoramic views over the plateau and adds around 45 minutes.
The descent follows the same route back to the trailhead. Next to the trailhead is a scenic open air onsen, and a waterfall can be reached via a short 10-minute walk from the road for those finishing early.
Accomodation
Mt. Okura Shelter: No toilet or water
Hakusan Murodo: 11.300¥ incl 2 meals. Reservation required
Hakusan Forest Campsite (at the trailhead). Reservation required.
Oshirakawa Onsen : 500¥ per person (pay in the little cafe/house)
