Last updated Sep 11, 2021
The Kamihorokamettoku Refuge hut is located 2km south-southwest of the Toachi-dake 十勝岳 summit, at an altitude of 1820m, here, at the southern end of the Daisetsuzan National Park.
The Kamihorokamettoku Hut is a somewhat ramshackle two-story 35.6㎡ steel beam reinforced wooden hut inspiringly located just below an extraordinarily exposed section of ridgeline between Furano-dake 富良野岳 and Tokachi-dake. It’s an old hut, rather dilapidated, despite the Kamifurano Alpine Association’s diligent efforts at palliative care. In 2020, the roofing was replaced, but it still leaks. The ground floor walls are somewhat infested with mildew. That said, the hut is highly functional and a welcome reprise for hikers, especially in bad weather. The long-drop outhouse toilet is a welcome feature of the hut, particularly for hikers walking the Daisetsuzan Grand Traverse; it’s the only toilet in the entire southern portion of the Daisetsuzan Range. Note that those with a strong fear of spiders may wish to opt for camping outside the hut; the hut is home to a few nocturnal (but perfectly harmless and friendly) daddy longlegs insects (they look like spiders, but are technically insects).
- Winter access to the hut: The Kamihorokamettoku Hut is often completely buried by snow in winter. Winter visitors may need to make use of a GPS and/or probe to locate the hut. The winter entrance to the hut is on the second floor, at the southwest corner of the hut. You’ll likely need to dig down in the snow to locate the entrance. IMPORTANT: There have been frequent reports of doors being left open in winter at the hut, resulting in the entire hut filling with snow. When visiting in winter, make sure all doors are securely shut before leaving.
No need to book (bookings are not accepted nor possible).
Free.
Heating: None.
Water: There’s a large snow patch about 100m southwest of the hut which generally remains until mid to late August. Water obtained from the snowmelt should be purified or boiled before consumption (due to echinococcus parasite risk). From the hut, descend south along the lower horse-shoe trail for about 5 minutes. You may find a small trickle of snowmelt here from the snow patch just before a large dirt clearing in the alpine vegetation. If there isn’t any visible water near the trail, or it’s too scant to practically get into your water containers, from the clearing follow some rusty poles about 75m east-southeast away from the main trail following a shallow gully through the grass to a PVC pipe around here at N43.4056271 E142.6749047.
Kitchen/cooking: No kitchen or cooking facilities. When we were there in August 2021, there were a couple of old dirty pots lying around.
Bedding: Officially, it’s better to assume no bedding is available. That said, when we were there in August 2021, there was a moderate supply of heavy woolen blankets hanging in the hut, which we used as extra cushioning under our sleeping pads.
Elecricity: No.
Toilets: Basic long-drop outhouse toilets, just to the north of the hut. The hut request all paper be packed out.
Cell reception: Very weak Docomo reception on the second floor of the hut, and relatively strong 4G reception on the ridge 50 meters up from the hut.
No hutkeeper present.
Related Maps
NOTE: For number references to official printed topographical maps, check the main route report ( Daisetsuzan Grand Traverse ).
The vast majority of huts in Hokkaido are 100% maintained through passionate volunteer time and effort. The Kamihorokamettoku Hut is no exception – the Kamifurano Alpine Association, local guides, and cash-strapped NPOs do what they can to keep this hut in usable condition. If you make a visit, please give the place a clean. Always leave a hut cleaner than you found it.
Kamihorokamettoku Refuge Hut Trip reports
Kamihorokamettoku Refuge Hut Photo Gallery
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