Kurodake Refuge

黒岳石室
Hut fees to be paid
Has water source
Has full bedding
Has toilets
Hutkeeper present

Posted on Nov 23, 2018
76 8

Posted on Nov 23, 2018

76 8
The Kurodake Refuge Hut (黒岳石室 | kurodake-ishimuro) is one of the most fully serviced huts in Hokkaido. Hutkeepers are present from the last weekend of June till the last weekend of September, providing bedding, basic drinks, and support to hikers. The hut can get fairly busy during the non-snow hiking season. In the winter, the hut is available for use, but becomes completely buried in snow (bank on around 3 hours to dig down to the entrance if you know where the entrance is). NOTE: For the 2021 summer season, Kurodake Hut is staffed but there's no equipment rental or foodstuffs available. Capacity is capped to 32 people, due to coronavirus precautions.

Last updated Jul 22, 2021

Location

The Kurodake Refuge Hut (location) is about 800m southwest of the Mt. Kurodake summit, at the northern end of the Daisetsu Range in central Hokkaido.

General notes

NOTE: For the 2021 summer season Kurodake Hut is staffed, but there’s no equipment rental or foodstuffs available. Hut capacity is capped to 32 people, as a coronavirus precaution.

The hutkeeper(s) is generally at the Kurodake Refuge (or 黒岳石室, literally Kurodake Stone Hut) from the last weekend of June till the last weekend of September. Outside of this period, people are also welcome to stay at the hut (no fee). However, the hut becomes completely buried in winter. One of the hutkeepers told me that considering the time it would take to find the entrance and dig the 4 meters down to it, it would be quicker and more comfortable to dig a snow cave in winter. In the non-snow months, there’s also space around the hut for up to 20 tents (500yen per night). The hut sells a very basic selection of drinks, including water, beer, whiskey, sake, soft drinks etc. Cup noodles are also available for purchase (you’ll need to supply your own boiling water). A limited supply of sleeping bags are available for rent for 1,000yen per night. All hikers must pack out their own garbage.

Capacity
Sleeps 80 people.
Official contact
Rinyu Kanko (Kurodake Ropeway) (黒岳ロープウェイ)
TEL: 01658-5-3031
Maintenance
Kurodake Ropeway
黒岳ロープウェイ
Booking

There is no need to book. The Kurodake Refuge operates on a ‘no person turned away’ policy. So even if you have to sleep on the floor, you will have a roof over your head.

Hut Fees

2,000yen for overnight stays, 500yen for a tent site (these prices apply to the non-snow season when the hutkeepers are present). Outside of this period, stays are free (the hut becomes classed as an emergency hut).

Facilities

Heating: The hut is heated, with the stove operated by the hutkeepers. In the winter there is no fuel provided.

Water: In the non-winter months, there is a water supply at the hut. All water must be filtered or boiled.

Kitchen/cooking: There is an outdoor cooking area.

Bedding: Bedding is included in the 2,000yen overnight fee.

Elecricity: There is no electricity at the hut.

Toilets: There are basic composting bio-toilets.

Cell reception: No.

Hutkeeper

Hutkeepers are, in principle, present from the last week of June till the last week of September.

Related Maps

Coming soon…

NOTE: For number references to official printed topographical maps, check the main route report ( coming soon ).

Special Kurodake Refuge  Hut Notes

Outside of the non-snow months, there are no hutkeepers present. If you use the hut when there are no hutkeepers present please sign the logbook and clean up after use.

Kurodake Refuge Hut Trip reports

Coming soon.

Kurodake Refuge Hut Photo Gallery

Comments | Queries | Reports

Have you visited the Kurodake Refuge Hut? Thinking of visiting? Please post any feedback or queries here. Thanks!

8 thoughts on “Kurodake Refuge”

  1. Bernice Halsband

    This was informative! And I thank you for writing it however we showed up October 1st, 2019 and the hut was boarded up and the hut-keepers were busy shutting things down. Luckily they were nice enough to let us sleep on the floor of the reception area for free!

      1. HI Rob,
        I’m thinking about going there this week. Do you know how the conditions are at the moment? And any tips on what to consider if I do it? Thanks, viv

        1. Hey Viv, sorry for the delay in reply. At this time of year, snow is already very much set in for the season – you’ll likely need snowshoes and/or crampons, as well as good winter mountaineering experience.

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Kurodake Refuge Difficulty Rating

Category

Grade

Points

Strenuousness

Vertical Gain

D

25

Time ascending

D

0

Technicality

Altitude

D

0

Hazards

D

Navigation

D

Totals

25/100

GRADES range from A (very difficult) to D (easy). Hazards include exposure to avalanche and fall risk. More details here. Rating rubric adapted from Hokkaido Yukiyama Guidebook 北海道雪山ガイド.