Raichozawa-hyutte
Hot Spring Overview
Raichozawa Hut is a mountain lodge located in Tateyama Town, Nakaniikawa District, Toyama Prefecture, situated at an altitude of 2,350 meters. It is located in the Murodo area of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and features its own hot spring called "Raichozawa Onsen." Its predecessor, "Fusajiso," was built in 1947, and in 1975 it was relocated to its current location and renamed Raichozawa Hut. The facility is a four-story concrete building with 29 Japanese-style rooms, 2 Western-style rooms, and 13 skier beds, accommodating up to 250 guests, making it a relatively large mountain lodge. The most distinctive feature of Raichozawa Hut is that it has the only open-air bath (semi-open-air bath) in the Murodo area. The operating period is typically from mid-April to late October, closing during the winter season.
About Secluded Rating
Access (Difficulty to Reach)
Unpaved 15min
Access is extremely difficult, requiring multiple public transportation transfers followed by a 40-minute or longer walk from the Murodo Terminal along a mountain path with steep elevation changes. Particularly during periods with remaining snow (until around June), access becomes even more challenging.
As a facility with Japan's highest-altitude open-air bath, its location itself is very unique. Hot spring facilities at an elevation of 2,350 meters are rare.
The water quality is highly distinctive, with an acidic-sulfate spring having strong acidity, which is uncommon compared to other hot spring types. Sulfur components settle at the bottom of the bath, providing an intensely rich hot spring experience.
The operating period is limited to mid-April through late October, aligning with the opening period of the Alpine Route. It is completely closed during the winter season.
Located in the most remote part of the Murodo area, many general tourists turn back at Mikurigaike Onsen or Raichoso, limiting the number of people who venture further to reach Raichozawa Hut.
It has been selected for the "100 Hot Spring Mountains" by hot spring expert Toshio Iide, paired with Mt. Tsurugi, recognizing its rarity value. It is also valuable as the only facility in the Murodo area with an outdoor bath (semi-open-air bath).
However, being a relatively large facility with a four-story concrete structure and offering modern amenities such as Wi-Fi and credit card payment options somewhat moderates its hidden nature. Additionally, day-trip bathing is available, making it accessible to anyone willing to make the journey, which slightly reduces its "hidden" rating. Nevertheless, considering the overall difficulty of access and the unique hot spring experience, it has been evaluated as level 3.
Hot Spring Details
Practical Info
Visit Log
Bath Types
Facilities
Access Information
To access Raichozawa Hut, you must use the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. From JR Toyama Station, take the Toyama Chiho Railway to Tateyama Station, then the Tateyama Cable Car to Bijodaira Station, followed by a highland bus to Murodo. From the Murodo Terminal, a 40-minute walk is required. The path goes toward Mikurigaike Pond, passes through Jigokudani Valley, and continues to Raichozawa. Private cars are not allowed. The hut is about 15 minutes from Mikurigaike Onsen and about 10 minutes from Raichoso (Ptarmigan Inn). Right next to Raichozawa Hut (about a 1-minute walk) is Lodge Tateyama-Renpou. The trail includes significant elevation changes, and especially during periods with remaining snow, you'll need to walk on snowy paths, so proper trekking shoes and equipment are necessary.
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