Mt. Yakushi-dake (薬師岳), elev. 2926 m, Japan's 27th Highest Mountain

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Mt. Yakushi-dake (薬師岳)
elev. 2926m
Japan's 27th Highest Mountain

Got a question or story about climbing Mt. Yakushi-dake?

This mountain just about killed me, but Mt. Yakushi-dake (薬師岳) had without question some of the most striking vistas and panoramas I've ever seen while climbing the Japan Alps.

My big mistake on the first day of hiking was trying to make it from the Murodo (室堂) Terminal trailhead all the way to the Sugo-norikoshi-goya (スゴ乗越小屋) mountain hut in one day.

Although the Lonely Planet's Hiking in Japan book estimates the hiking time from the Goshiki-ga-hara-sanso (五色ヶ原山荘) mountain hut to the Sugo-norikoshi-goya (スゴ乗越小屋) mountain hut as 4 hours, it took me nearly 7.

Murodo (室堂) Terminal trailhead

As a result, I didn't arrive at the hut till around 8 pm, and because I had made advance reservations, they sent out a search party for me. Not good. Arriving late at the huts is a big breach of Japanese mountain climbing etiquette, as dinner is usually served around 5 or 6 and lights out are usually by 8. When I arrived, most people were already in their futons and lights were out, but the cordial hut staff served me dinner anyways.

Roller Coaster Climbing Route

That section of the Mt. Yakushi-dake (薬師岳) trail is one of the most up-and-down & primitive I've ever encountered in Japan, and can really take a toll on your body. From Goshiki-ga-hara-sanso (五色ヶ原山荘) you go up about 100m, down 250m, up 250m, down 300m, up 100m, down 250m, and finally up another 150m to the Sugo-norikoshi-goya (スゴ乗越小屋) mountain hut. Wow.

And if that weren't enough, some of the sections are virtually vertical, requiring ascents/descents of 10-15 meters with the aid of built-in ropes and chains. As they say, "A picture's worth a thousand words," so the elevation profile on the Yamareco route map below should give you a better idea of what you're up against.

My favorite passage from the Lonely Planet's description of this trail section is "So just relax and enjoy the scenery and the morning." Makes me wonder if the writer actually hiked this course. smiley

View of Mt. Yakushi-dake (薬師岳)

This trail is not very busy, and so if you have an accident you might be in deep doo-doo, as it could be ages before you get rescued, if anyone comes at all.

My advice for future trekkers starting from the Murodo (室堂) trailhead & who aren't camping, is to stay overnight at the Goshiki-ga-hara-sanso (五色ヶ原山荘), where they actually have a hot bath, an extreme rarity at mountain huts in Japan.

Interestingly, I had no trouble on Days 2 & 3. In fact, on Day 3 I left the Tarodaira-goya (太郎平小屋) mountain hut (where I stayed the 2nd night) before 5:30 am and was back in Tokyo by 2:30 pm via bus, local train, and shinkansen (bullet train). I finished my hiking at the Oritate (折立) bus stop.

My Mt. Yakushi-dake (薬師岳) Pics

I hope you enjoy my pics below, hosted at Flickr ! It's some pretty stunning scenery, I'm sure you'll agree, and helps explain why I've lived in Japan such a loooooong time. smiley

Mt. Yakushi-dake (薬師岳), elev. 2926 m,
Japan's 27th highest peak,
Aug. 9-11, 2008

(complete Flickr set)

My Google Map of Mt. Yakushi-dake (薬師岳)

(zoom out to see all 25 highest mountains)

View 25 Highest Mountains in Japan in a larger map

Route Map of Mt. Yakushi-dake (薬師岳)

Source: Yamareco.com
(Please note: the above route map and elevation profile differ slightly
from my own route, as they include an ascent of Mt. Tateyama (立山).

By the way, if you're in the market for any outdoor gear, including packs, tents, sleeping bags, jackets, etc., you may wish to check out my new Great Outdoor Gear Deals page! There you will find access to some of the web's best real-time deals on outdoor gear from a few of the best outdoor retailers in the industry. All the retailers shown there offer free shipping, and if you decide to purchase, a portion of all proceeds directly benefit Garyjwolff.com, and help fund future site improvements. Thank you!

Please stop by again soon, as I hope to add more details on this Mt. Yakushi-dake (薬師岳) climbing trip, including hiking times and expenses. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to use the section below. Or if you prefer
sending me a private message, just click on "Contact Me." Cheers !

Additional links:

Mt. Washiba-dake summit 6-day weather forecast (only ~9 km from Mt. Yakushi-dake)

Mt. Yakushi-dake topo map
(from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan)

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What Other Mt. Yakushi-dake Climbers Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other Mt. Yakushi-dake climbers...

Your preference between Yakushi-dake & Yari-ga-take? Not rated yet
Hi Gary, I really like your blogs about your hikes. Can I pick your brains? I'm tempted by either this walk - Yakushi-dake - or Mount Yari. Have you...

Hiking time from Goshiki-ga-hara-sanso to Sugo-norikoshi-goya Not rated yet
Hi Gary, I really appreciate the info you posted on your mountain blog. I just got back from the Tateyama to Kamikochi trek and knowing that it would take...