Kamuishiri-yama Day Hike

神威尻山 | Kamuy-sir-nupuri

Posted on Sep 19, 2018
0

Posted on Sep 19, 2018

5 0

9km

Distance

5hrs

Time

700m

Ascent

947m

Highest point

4.5/10

Difficulty

Best season icon (Hokkaido Wilds)
Jun-Oct

Best season

Kamuishiri-yama (神威尻山, 947m) is an unassuming peak about 2 hours north of Sapporo City. It’s a popular one for a couple of reasons. First, the loop-trail is well maintained, with well-spaced steps on the steeper sections. Secondly, it allows access to the range of mountains approaching Mt. Shokanbetsu (暑寒別岳) and Mt. Pinneshiri (ピンネシリ山) without the arduous approach. Expect expansive views along the ridgelines.

Last updated Jul 13, 2021

Route Map

Need to know details

Location

This route is at the southern end of the Mashike Range, and just west of Mt. Pinneshiri, which overlooks the Takikawa Plains, about 60km north of Sapporo City.

General notes

The route is well marked and well defined. Note that there is an ‘A’ and ‘B’ route to the summit. Take either of them up, and the other one down, to avoid back-tracking.

Route Timing
Up | 3hrs
Down | 2hrs

About 3 hours from trailhead to summit, and 2 hours back down to the carpark.

Route

There are only sporadic route markers, but the trail is well defined.

Transport

Public transport:

This route is not accessible by public transport.

By car: 

There is a large parking area in front of the Domin-no-mori Campground (location).

Hut(s)

None

Physical maps
GSI Topo Map: Pinneshiri (ピンネシリ) – map no. NK-54-13-8-1
GSI Topo Map 2: Minami-horoka (南幌加) – map no. NK-54-13-7-2

NOTE: The GSI 1/25000 topo map(s) above can be purchased for 350yen each from Kinokuniya bookstore next to Sapporo Station or online (in Japanese).

route safety

Much of the route is on ridgelines, which are quite exposed. Make sure to bring plenty of water – there isn’t much shade up on the tops

  • Police notification: Fill your police notification out online using Compass – instructions here

Weather forecast

Windy.com weather forecast for Kamuishiri-yama

Onsen nearby

If you are headed back to Sapporo, there is a nice onsen in Tsukigata Town – the Tsukigata Yurikago Onsen near the campground (here).

Extra Resources

Guide Options

If you’d like to hike this route and/or explore other hikes in the central Hokkaido area together with a local certified guide, get in touch with Yasuko Kikuchi. Born and raised in Hokkaido, she’s a JMGA-certified guide now based in Sapporo. Her outdoor experience is broad and worldwide, having worked as a Canadian Ski Patrol member, and has sumitted a number of 6,000m+ peaks around the world. She speaks good English. In addition to Yasuko, also see a full list of English-speaking Hokkaido Mountain Guides Association (HMGA) guides on the HMGA website here

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Show Full Route Notes Close Route Notes

Route Trip Notes

Sep 19, 2018

0

Mt. Kamuishiri wasn’t really on our radar for a day hike, but some friends were heading up there, so we joined them on a whim. We’re glad we did, because the trail offered some massive views once it got up onto the ridgelines. To get there on the A-trail takes a while though, with some solid ups and downs.
Hiking Mt. Kamuishiri in Hokkaido, Japan
Hiking Mt. Kamuishiri in Hokkaido, Japan
Hiking Mt. Kamuishiri in Hokkaido, Japan

The summit of Mt. Kamuishiri is a grandiose one. An embossed metal plate sits embedded in concrete, and points out the surrounding peaks. A summer haze prevented us from seeing much of those larger peaks to the east and north, so we gobbled some lunch and started on down the B-course. This would take us on a loop back to our starting point.

Hiking Mt. Kamuishiri in Hokkaido, Japan
Hiking Mt. Kamuishiri in Hokkaido, Japan
Hiking Mt. Kamuishiri in Hokkaido, Japan
Hiking Mt. Kamuishiri in Hokkaido, Japan
Hiking Mt. Kamuishiri in Hokkaido, Japan
Hiking Mt. Kamuishiri in Hokkaido, Japan

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Kamuishiri-yama Day Hike Difficulty Rating

Category

Grade

Points

Strenuousness

Vertical Gain

B

35

Time ascending

C

3

Technicality

Altitude

B

6

Hazards

D

Navigation

D

Totals

44/100

GRADES range from A (very difficult) to D (easy). Hazards include exposure to avalanche and fall risk. More details here. Rating rubric adapted from Hokkaido Yukiyama Guidebook 北海道雪山ガイド.