OVERVIEW/INTRODUCTION

Located in the southern section of the Northen Alps of Japan, the Karasawa Area has long been a popular destination for hikers, climbers and backcountry skiiers. At an elevation of 2,300 meters, it is considered the entrance to the Hotaka Range (Okuhotaka, Kitahotaka, Maehotaka and Nishihotaka) and like the rest of the Alps, this area too receives an enormous amount of snow, making it a mecca for backcountry skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts.

ACCESS

The hike into the Karasawa Area begins at Kamikochi which is accessible by only either bus or taxi (private vehicles are prohibited). Buses run regularly from Matsumoto City (Nagano Prefecture), Takayama City (Gifu Prefecture), and Hirayu Bus Terminal (Gifu Prefecture). Most major cities will also offer night buses which depart in the evening and arrive at Kamikochi in the early morning. See Hida Takayama Nohi Bus and Alpico Bus useful links below.

From Kamikochi, it is an approximately 6 hour hike to reach the Karasawa Area. The first 3 hours are along a relatively flat dirt road, dotted with huts every hour. Food and drink are available at the huts along the way. Upon reaching the halfway point at the Yokoo Sanso Lodge, the trail will cross the Katsura River and begin ascending. Depending on the year, snow from this point onwards should be expected. As the ascent is quite gradual, climbing skins may be useful. Otherwise, crampons and ice axe/poles are recommended. Along this section of the trail (Yokoo Sanso to Karasawa Area) there are no huts, so best to fill up on water at the Yokoo Sanso. The hike itself is a fairly straightforward ascent up the Yokoo Valley, however be on the lookout for trail markings along the way as at times the route varies early in the season.

Total elevation gained: 800 meters (Kamikochi - Karasawa Area)

SEASON

Access into Kamikochi by bus or taxi runs late April through mid November. The traditional skiing season for the Karasawa Area begins with the Golden Week holiday period (April 29th to May 6th) and continues till early/mid June. Turns can still be had as late as July, however the snow becomes quite spoon cut and layered with debris.
Access into the area during the winter months is extremely difficult and snow conditions are very unstable. Attempting to enter the area during this time is best avoided.

ACCOMODATION

In the Karasawa Area there are 3 accomodation options available:
1. Tent - Cost for the campground is 600 yen per person. Water, snacks, beer, juice, etc are also available from the nearby huts.
2. Karasawa Hutte (see link below)
3. Karasawa Koya (see link below)

EQUIPMENT

- beacon
- probe
- shovel
- ice axe or similar (ie BD Whippet, Grivel Condor)
- crampons
- a relible partner
- the usual stuff (hat, gloves, sunscreen, food, drink, etc)
- 4 season sleeping bag, if tenting (temps may drop below 0 until the end of May)

POPULAR LINES

Azuki Sawa (Blue Line):
Vertical: 690 meters
Average: 28°
Etc: A straightforward ascent/descent from Karasawa Hutte to Hotakadake Sanso Lodge. Falling rocks from lookers left are fairly common so be cautious on the upper section of this route. From about mid-June a crevasse forms as approximately 2940 meters in the Azuki Sawa, however with a short skiers left traverse it can be avoided.

Karasawa Yari (Red Line)
Vertical: 750 meters
Average: 29°
Etc: One of the lesser-skied lines in the area, but usually remians in good condition until later in the season (late June/ early July).

Saitei Col (Yellow Line)
Vertical: 680 meters
Average: 25°
Etc: Has almost the same vertical as the Azuki Sawa line, but not quite as steep.

Direct Route (exit only visible in picture below; see pic 2 for view from Okuhotaka Summit; see Olive Line in topo 1)
Vertical: 890 meters
Average: 38° (upper section)/ 28° (lower section)
Etc: To reach the drop in point for the Direct Route, ascend Azuki Sawa (Blue Line) which will take you to the Hotakdake Sanso Lodge. From here it is a steep climb to the summit of Mt. Okuhotka, with the drop in point just below the summit in a north-east-north direction.

pic. 1

pic. 2

Maehotaka 3 - 4 (Green Line)
Vertical: 650 meters
Average: 37° (upper section)/ 22° (lower section)
Etc: One of the steeper lines in the area, but also one of the lesser skiied ones as well. Ice axe (as opposed to poles), recommended for the ascent.

Maehotaka 5 - 6 (Orange Line)
Vertical: 440 meters
Average: 29° (upper section)/ 17° (lower section)
Etc: The closest "popular" line from the Karasawa Area. Has less vertical than the other lines but the final mellow runout is quite short, making it good "bang for the buck".

pic. 3

Varitation Route:
Shiradashi Sawa (see pic 4 for view from Hotakadake Sanso Lodge and pic 5; see Purple Line in topo 2)
Vertical: 1450 meters
Average: 30° (upper section - until waterfall)
Etc: This alternate route descends from the Hotakadake Sanso Lodge down the west face of the Hotaka Range. This route does not lead back to Karasawa, but instead ends at Shinhotaka Town. Buses and taxis run on a regular basis from Shinhotaka Town back towards Hirayu and Takayama.
This route is best attempted late AM or early PM, as the sun doesn't soften up the snow till later in the day.
It is a direct descent down the Shiradashi Sawa however at 2150 meters, there is the Shiradashi Ootaki Waterfall. Veer to skiers right and enter the wooded area to avoid the waterfall. After a short descent in the wooded area you will enter Koseki Sawa which connects back to Shiradashi Sawa. From this point onwards there is usually a considerable amount of debris. If the route looks negotiable, you can follow the Sawa (river) to the dirt road which leads back to Shinhotaka Town. Otherwise, look for the summer trail to the skiers left of the river.

pic. 4

pic. 5

TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS

topo 1 (Karasawa Area)

Note: Colors on topo correspond to colors in above pictures and descriptions

topo 2 (Shiradashi Sawa)

ETC

- Be aware that cell phone coverage in the Karasawa area is very limited; almost to the point of being non-existent. Higher along the ridges reception improves slightly, but it is still spotty at best.

- For those planning a spring visit to the area, it is possible to deposit gear, non-perishable food items, booze, etc at the Karasawa Goya Hut the previous fall. This will take quite a bit of foreplanning and requires a trip into the area before the hut closes (November 5th), but if executed properly, could make the hike in the following spring much easier. Be sure to phone Karasawa Goya Hut beforehand to confirm the details.

USEFUL LINKS

Northern Alps Broadband Network: http://www.northalps.net/nabbn2/index.php?language=en

Karasawa Koya: http://homepage2.nifty.com/karasawagoya/ (Japanese only)

Karasawa Hutte: http://www.karasawa-hyutte.co.jp/

Hotakadake Sanso: http://www.hotakadakesanso.com/ (Japanese only)

Hida Takayama Nohi Bus: http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/index.html

Alpico Bus: http://www.alpico.co.jp/ (Japanese only)