Mt Shirouma

Mt Shirouma (Japanese: 白馬岳), sometimes known as Mt Hakuba, is one of the great mountains of the North Alps. Located above the resort town of Hakuba, it's a vast, high, and varied hyakumeizan* peak whose terrain shifts from snow valleys to rugged ridgelines and alpine flower fields. It can be approached in two very different ways: the famous Daisekkei snow valley, or the long, beautiful ridge route from Hakuba‑Oike. Both offer spectacular scenery, and both reveal different faces of this expansive mountain.

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The Daisekkei is the classic approach, a huge snowfield that hikers climb early in the season from the Sarakura trailhead. This route is dramatic and unforgettable, but it demands caution. Rockfalls and crevasses are real dangers, and proper snow‑climbing gear is essential. In recent years, climate change has affected the stability of the snow, and there have been summers when the route was closed early in the season due to unsafe conditions. When it is climbable, though, the experience of ascending that vast white valley is one of the signature moments of North Alps mountaineering.

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The alternative route from Hakuba‑Oike is quieter and, in many ways, more varied. The rugged ridge line offers sweeping views and a sense of spaciousness that contrasts beautifully with the enclosed Daisekkei. I’ve climbed Shirouma mainly from Tsugaike and Renge Onsen trailheads via the Hakuba‑Oike Alpine lake in recent years, precisely because the ridge walk is so beautiful.

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Shirouma is popular, and its mountain hut is the largest in Japan. The upper reaches of the mountain are rich with alpine wildflowers, and raicho rock ptarmigans are frequently seen along the ridge. Because of the distance and elevation, most people climb Shirouma as a multiday hike.

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Shirouma remains one of my favourite mountains in the North Alps. Few peaks offer such a variety of terrain with its snow valleys, granite ridges, flower fields and wide alpine views. Whether approached through the dramatic Daisekkei or along the rugged Hakuba‑Oike ridge, Mt. Shirouma always feels like a complete mountain experience.

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* 100 famous mountains of Japan

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(All information here is based on personal observations and experiences. Check official sources before planning or starting any hikes.)