Shirouma-dake via Daisekkei Snowfield

Shirouma-dake, at 2,932 m in Hakuba Village, Nagano, is climbed via the Daisekkei, a permanent snowfield that fills the mountain's central gully for most of the season. The trailhead is at Sarukura, reached by JR Oito Line to Hakuba or Minami-Otari station and a short bus ride, and the round trip covers about 20 km with 1,700 m of elevation gain over two days. The lower trail follows a forested valley path along the Matsukawa River before reaching the base of the snowfield, where the surface changes abruptly to compacted snow and ice running roughly 3.5 km up the gully. Crampons are required on the Daisekkei in June, with an ice axe recommended into early July as the snow surface steepens and rockfall risk increases along the gully walls. Above the snowfield, the trail switches to loose scree and volcanic rock on the final ridge approach to the summit, with Hakuba Sanso hut providing an overnight base near the top. Water flows directly from snowmelt on the lower snowfield but should be treated; established water points exist at Hakuba Sanso. The gully is a known rockfall corridor, so parties are advised to keep moving through the steepest midsection rather than stopping. Late-season hikers in August find the snow largely melted, exposing loose rock underneath, which shifts the primary hazard from snow travel to rockfall.