Shakotan-dake and Shakotan Hut Hiking
積丹岳 | Poro-ru-par
12km
Distance
7hrs
Time
800m
Ascent
1255m
Highest point
6/10
Difficulty
Jun-Oct
Best season
Mt. Shakotan (積丹岳, 1,255m) is the towering peak that dominates the peninsula northwest of Sapporo bearing its name - the Shakotan Peninsula. Mt. Shakotan's peak offers 360-degree views across the Japan Sea, Mt. Yotei, the Niseko Range, and the Rumoi Ranges. It is also a popular ski touring destination in the spring skiing season. In the summer hiking season, hikers enjoy gorgeous gnarled white birch forests and towering black pines along the way to the summit.
We visited this route on Jul 29, 2018
Last updated Jul 13, 2021
Need to know details
Location
This hike is located on the Shakotan Peninsula to the northwest of Sapporo City. The hike itself starts from the Shakotan Hut, accessible by a rough dirt road.
General notes
Mt. Shakotan is a popular destination but shouldn’t be underestimated. The approach is long, and the track involves plenty of crouching and ducking a number of low-lying trees.
Other attractions in the area include the historic Nikka Whiskey Yoichi Distillery (location) is on the way back to Sapporo (near the Yoichi JR Train Station), and they offer free tastings. Very much worth a visit!
Route Timing
Up | 5hrs
Down | 3hrs
In summer, the route starts at the hut. It is a fairly long approach, so you’ll want to bank on up to 5 hours from hut to summit, and another 3 hours from summit back to the hut.
Route
There are very few route markers, however the trail is well defined and easy to follow.
Transport
Public transport:
You’ll want to catch the Number 21 bus from Yoichi JR Station, bound for Cape Kamuisaki, and get off at the bus stop called tozan-guchi (登山口) which is stop number 52 (counting from Otaru Station). Bus stop location is around 43.308076, 140.553185, and will likely take around an hour from Yoichi Station. Check at tourist info at Sapporo Station before you head off for season timetable information. From there, it will be about an hour’s walk to the hut along a paved road at first, then becoming a gravel road.
By car:
In summer, there is a large area next to the hut to park cars. There’s enough room for at least 15 cars.
Hut(s)
Shakotan Hut (full details here)
Available for use from around the end of April each year till November, Shakotan Hut provides an excellent base from which to explore peaks such as Mt. Shakotan-dake (積丹岳 – 1,255m) or Mt. Yobetsu (余別岳 – 1,298m) on the Shakotan Peninsula. You can drive there in summer, and in winter, it’s about 40 minutes from the end of the snow-cleared section of dirt road. Shakotan Hut is a public-transport accessible hut, free to use for overnight stays. As far as Hokkaido mountain huts go, it is a luxurious one – running spring water, a kerosene stove, and a large tatami living area.
Physical maps
Print: HokkaidoWilds.org 1:25,000 TOPOMAP+
Niseko Backcountry map: Buy on Amazon.co.jp | See companion site for more purchase options
Niseko Backcountry map: Buy on Amazon.co.jp | See companion site for more purchase options
GSI Topo Map: Yobetsu (余別) – map no. NK-54-20-9-1
GSI Topo Map 2: Mikuni (美国) – map no. NK-54-20-5-3
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
Police notification: Fill your police notification out online using Compass – instructions here
Weather forecast
Windy.com weather forecast for Shakotan-dake
Extra Resources
No extra English resources that we know of. If you know of any, please let us know in the comments.
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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