Shirouma-dake area mountain hut closing dates

by Perry
(Australia)

Hi Gary,

I saw some of your insightful comments on hiking in Japan and ask that you please give us some guidance.

My wife and I plus another couple are looking to do a 3-4 day walk either near Kamikochi or we have also spotted a walk Shirouma-dake to Ogisawa (in a book called "Hiking in Japan") in very early October 2014.

From what the book says, we like the latter option but are having trouble finding huts for this walk on the internet. Here is one site that looks promising (http://www.hakuba-sanso.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/2014hakuba_english.pdf)

From the site, it seems that some of the hut locations along the walk (i.e. locations suggested in the book) are closed by early October. Can you please let us know if we are interpreting this correctly (i.e. dumb Australians) and if there are any other hut options on this walk?

Thank you.

Perry