Karasawa Hütte

Karasawa Hütte is a mountain lodge situated at an elevation of 2,309 meters on a moraine in the Karasawa Cirque, on the eastern side of the Hotaka Mountains (including Oku-Hotaka) in Azumi, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It is a key base for climbers heading into the Hotaka range and is one of the most well-known mountain huts in the Northern Japan Alps. The hut was first established in 1951 by Akio Niijima, president of the mountain literature publisher Hobundo, and others. The original building was destroyed by an avalanche, and a second building also collapsed due to snow. The third building, the current main lodge, was constructed in 1953. As visitor numbers grew, an annex was added in 1955, a new wing designed by architect Yoshizaka Takamasa was built in 1963, and a new annex was added in 1989. For many years the hut was operated alongside other facilities such as Kurosawa-ike Hütte, Kajiyama Shinyu Amakazari Sanso, and Nozawa Onsen Lodge under the Hobundo Ski and Mountain Association. Later the operating company changed its name to Karasawa Hütte Co., Ltd. and became independent from the other facilities (it continued to operate Amakazari Sanso until 2003). Unlike the nearby Karasawa Hut, which has a winter room, Karasawa Hütte is completely closed in winter because its location is prone to avalanches. The hut operates a panoramic shop and souvenir corner, typically open from around late April (around Showa Day) to the first Sunday of November, though it may close during quiet periods. The shop is famous for its oden; many climbers sit on the terrace, enjoy the view of the Hotaka range, and eat oden with a drink in hand. In summer, the Tokyo University Karasawa Clinic is attached, and the hut jointly manages the adjacent national Karasawa campsite with Karasawa Hut. Because Karasawa is a crucial base for the Hotaka range, many climbers pass through, and during Golden Week, Obon, and the autumn foliage season the hut is crowded beyond capacity, with days when two to four people share one futon. Despite the crowds, the facilities and meals are exceptionally well-equipped for a mountain hut, and many climbers aim for Hotaka specifically with Karasawa Hütte as their destination.

Karasawa Hütte was established in 1951 by Akio Niijima, president of the mountain literature publisher Hobundo, and others. The first building was destroyed by an avalanche, and the second building, rebuilt the following year, also collapsed due to snow. The third building, the current main lodge, was constructed in 1953. As the number of climbers increased, an annex was built in 1955, and a new wing designed by architect Yoshizaka Takamasa was added in 1963. In 1989, a new annex was constructed. For many years, the hut was operated together with Kurosawa-ike Hütte, Kajiyama Shinyu Amakazari Sanso, and Nozawa Onsen Lodge under the Hobundo Ski and Mountain Association. Later, the operating company changed its name to Karasawa Hütte Co., Ltd. and became independent from the other facilities (it continued to operate Amakazari Sanso until 2003). Unlike the nearby Karasawa Hut, which has a winter room, Karasawa Hütte is completely closed in winter because its location is prone to avalanches. The hut operates a panoramic shop and souvenir corner, typically open from around late April (around Showa Day) to the first Sunday of November, though it may close during quiet periods. The shop is famous for its oden; many climbers sit on the terrace, enjoy the view of the Hotaka range, and eat oden with a drink in hand. In summer, the Tokyo University Karasawa Clinic is attached, and the hut jointly manages the adjacent national Karasawa campsite with Karasawa Hut. Because Karasawa is a crucial base for the Hotaka range, many climbers pass through, and during Golden Week, Obon, and the autumn foliage season the hut is crowded beyond capacity, with days when two to four people share one futon. Despite the crowds, the facilities and meals are exceptionally well-equipped for a mountain hut, and many climbers aim for Hotaka specifically with Karasawa Hütte as their destination.

• 2003

  Amakazari Sanso operated until this year.

• 1989

  New annex constructed.

• 1963

  New wing designed by Yoshizaka Takamasa constructed.

• 1955

  Annex built as climber numbers increased.

• 1953

  Third building, the current main lodge, constructed.

• 1952

  Second building rebuilt but also collapsed due to snow.

• 1951

  Established by Akio Niijima and others; first building destroyed by avalanche.

A historic, well-equipped mountain hut and lodge in the Northern Japan Alps, serving as a key base for Hotaka range climbers and famous for its oden and panoramic views.

• Mountain lodge accommodation

• Panoramic shop and souvenir corner

• Oden

• Alcoholic beverages

• Mountain hut meals

1. 1涸沢ヒュッテ 公式サイトkarasawa-hyutte.com
2. 2涸沢ヒュッテ - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
3. 3Karasawa Hütte - Wikidatawikidata.org