Last updated Nov 14, 2024
A few kilometers southeast of Mt. Muine summit (Google Maps).
NOTE: Unfortunately, Muine Hut burned to the ground on the night of the 2nd of November, 2024, due to a suspected chimney fire. All 20 occupants at the time were unharmed (source).
Muine Hut is a two-story hut situated at 1,020m, built to accommodate 30 people. Its location allows for a relatively safe and quick access to the summit of Mt. Muine, but the approach is long – 7km with only 600m altitude gain.
The hut is only available for bookings on weekends (Saturday/Sunday). The hut is not locked however, so can be used for emergencies throughout the winter season. Furthermore, just to make it abundantly clear, this old, student-maintained hut is certainly not intended or promoted as a tourism facility; it’s a university-run facility that is, on a goodwill basis, open to use by the public. If you’re not a resident of Japan, the only feasible way to book and pay for the hut is to visit the university in person ahead of your visit.
- History: Muine Hut was built in 1931 by the Hokkaido University Ski Mountaineering Club (with the expertise of Sapporo-based Okitsu Construction), and is still maintained by the club. It was designed by Mr. Oota from the Hokkaido University Buildings and Repairs Administration Section, with the design based on another of the Hokkaido University huts near Mt. Soranuma (Soranuma Hut). There is still no road directly to the hut, so all building materials were hauled to the hut by person-power. In February 1949, sons of the Emperor, Prince Takamatsu and Prince Mikasa, stayed in the hut and “enjoyed Muine’s deep snow” (Hokkkaido Uni hut history bookled, p. 46).
TEL: 011-706-7456 (Japanese-language only)
URL: https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/about/facilities/event-and-seminar-spaces/lodges-and-huts/
In principle, overnight stays must be pre-booked and paid up at Hokkaido University. Application to use the hut must be made by email to Hokkaido University (kagai@academic.hokudai.ac.jp) at least a week before intended use. Note also that hut fees can only be paid online via bank transfer from a Japanese bank account (see below). Hut can only be booked for weekends (only Saturday nights).
140yen per person per night. This payment can only be made via bank transfer from a Japanese bank account. You’ll need to pre-register your details with the university in advance, using their accounting system (access that here). This pre-registration can take a few days, so if you’re even remotely intending to use any of the Hokkaido University huts, we’d recommend you pre-register now (like right now), so your details are in the system.
Heating: Large wood stove, with wood stacked to the left of the kitchen area (extra wood stored under the hut). The stove can take a while to get fully heated, but once the entire chimney is heated, it will heat the entire, well-sealed hut very well.
Water: There is running spring water in the hut, piped direct from the source. No boiling required. It runs constantly into the hut’s kitchen sink.
Kitchen/cooking: There is a small kitchen bench area. Pots, pans, utensils, plates, bowls are all provided. There is a large LPG gas burner, but this is for club and emergency use only. The wood stove is very efficient for boiling water, frying etc. In winter, I’d be happy not to bring any cooking/eating equipment to this hut, cooking on the wood stove.
Bedding: No bedding or mattresses are provided. Sleeping quarters on the second floor.
Elecricity: There is no electricity in the hut in winter.
Toilets: There are no toilets at this hut. “The great outdoors is your bathroom,” I was told by one of the club members when we were there in winter.
Cell reception: No.
There is no hutkeeper, but club members are usually there on weekends.
Related Maps
NOTE: For number references to official printed topographical maps, check the main route report ( Muine-yama and Muine Hut ).
Boots to be removed before entering the inside door to the hut – no boots to be worn inside. Boots are to be placed behind the stove inside the hut. Like all the huts in Hokkaido, Muine Hut is maintained 100% through passionate, volunteer time and effort. Always leave a hut cleaner than you found it.
Hütte Muine Hut Trip reports
Hütte Muine Hut Photo Gallery
Summer↔Winter slider
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Comments | Queries | Reports
Have you visited the Hütte Muine Hut? Thinking of visiting? Please post any feedback or queries here. Thanks!
8 thoughts on “Hütte Muine”
Hi Rob,
Just letting you know the hut is no longer. There was a fire and it was completely destroyed.
I have photos from a recent visit and it is heartbreaking to discover this.
Thanks Chris. I’d seen that on the news and was meaning to update the post. Thank you for the bump! A huge loss for sure. It was such a nice hut.
This hut is open, as of august 12th. It’s so lovely! the second gate to the trailhead is locked, because of some serious washouts on the road, it’s impossible to drive a car on that section of the road. it’s a 30-45 minute walk to the trailhead.
Thank you for the feedback! Hope the weather was good for some great views on your hike.
As of today, the University is not allowing people in the hut due to Covid. It was unclear if students still could. But %100 sure it is a no for non-students. Tear. Was really looking forward to going to the hut.
Oh no! That’s surprising news…just as various restrictions are being eased. Did you speak to the university to confirm this?
Hi,
the name of Mine hut is
無意根尻小屋
instead of
無意根山尻小屋
Thank you so much for your introducing the hut nicely.
Miki, thank you so much for the feedback! That is super helpful. I have updated the name.