Ikenotairagoya

Ikenotairagoya (池ノ平小屋, also written 池の平小屋) is a small, remote mountain hut located at an elevation of 2,040 m in the Hida Mountains (Tateyama Range) of Kurobe, Toyama Prefecture, Japan. It sits on the saddle between Ikedaira-yama on the northern ridge of Tsurugi-dake and Sennin-yama to its east. The hut is known for its striking red exterior, its isolation deep in the Northern Alps, and the spectacular views of the Tsurugi-dake north face and the surrounding Ikenodaira marshland. The site has been used since the Taisho era, when it hosted offices and workers' lodgings for the Ogurobe molybdenum mine and a forestry hut for the Toyama District Forest Office. After the mine closed, it began operating as a mountain hut in 1928, serving as a base for Tsurugi-dake climbers. In 1951 the facility was transferred and became a staffed commercial hut. Before the opening of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, many climbers approached from the Kurobe Gorge side, and the hut grew to accommodate 80 people by 1966. A typhoon damaged the hut in 1991, and combined with the death of its manager, its future became uncertain. A new hut was completed in 1994 and operations resumed. Because the hut lies off the main climbing routes in a less-visited area and is not highly profitable, it is supported by a volunteer group called the "Monroe-kai" (モンロー会), which assists with pre-season opening work, supply hauling, and trail maintenance. The group's name comes from the snow patch on the north face of Tsurugi-dake, which, viewed from the hut, resembles Marilyn Monroe's lips. As of 2024, the hut accommodates 22 guests and operates on a fully reservation-only basis. It offers water, toilets, and a bath exclusively for overnight guests. Outside the hut there is a designated campsite for about 30 tents. To the south of the hut lies the Ikenodaira marshland, formed by glacial moraine topography, dotted with numerous ponds. Within the marsh is a pond about 0.5 ha in size called Hira-no-ike (formerly Tsurugi-ike), a representative viewpoint for the north face of Tsurugi-dake; on windless clear days the mountain is reflected upside down in the water. The pond is also home to Japanese giant salamanders. Traces of the molybdenum mine remain around the hut, including stone walls of the office and lodgings, fragments of parts used at the time, and chunks of molybdenum. There are also mine tunnel remains on Ikedaira-yama, visible from a distance, and the hut offers guided tours for guests staying multiple nights. Access is challenging. From the south, routes include Kurobe Dam – Kurausudaira – Hashigodani Pass – Sennin Pass – Ikenotairagoya (about 9 hours 55 minutes) and Murodo – Tsurugi-gozen-goya – Tsurugisawa-goya – Masuzawa Lodge – Sennin Pass – Ikenotairagoya (about 10 hours). From the north, the route runs Keyakidaira Station – Asohara Onsen-goya – Sennin-dani Dam – Sennin Onsen-goya – Sennin-ike Hut – Sennin Pass – Ikenotairagoya (about 13 hours 20 minutes). The route from the summit of Tsurugi-dake via the northern ridge is a dangerous variation route with many rocky sections and is not for general climbers; the hut asks that only those with the skill and experience to reliably reach the hut make reservations via that route.

The site of Ikenotairagoya has been used since the Taisho era, when it hosted the office and workers' lodgings of the Ogurobe molybdenum mine, as well as a silviculture hut for the Toyama District Forest Office. After the mine closed, the facility began to be used as a mountain hut in 1928, serving as a staging point for climbs of Tsurugi-dake. In 1951 the facility was transferred and became a staffed commercial hut. At that time, before the opening of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, many Tsurugi-dake climbers approached from the Kurobe Gorge (Asohara Onsen) side, and the manager carried out renovations and added a kamaboko-shaped lodging building, so that by 1966 the hut could accommodate 80 people. In 1991 a typhoon damaged the hut. Combined with the death of the manager, the hut's survival was in doubt. In 1994 a new hut was completed and operations resumed. Because the hut is located deep in the mountains off the main climbing routes, in an area with few climbers, its profitability is low. A volunteer group called the "Monroe-kai" (モンロー会) supports the hut's operation, handling pre-season opening work, hauling supplies, and maintaining trails. The group's name comes from the snow patch on the north face of Tsurugi-dake, which, seen from the hut, resembles Marilyn Monroe's lips. As of 2024, the hut accommodates 22 people and operates on a fully reservation-only basis. It provides water, toilets, and a bath exclusively for overnight guests. Outside the hut there is a designated campsite for about 30 tents. The hut is located at 2,040 m on the saddle between Ikedaira-yama on the northern ridge of Tsurugi-dake and Sennin-yama to its east. To the south lies the Ikenodaira marshland, formed by glacial moraine topography, with numerous ponds; within it is a pond about 0.5 ha in size called Hira-no-ike (formerly Tsurugi-ike), a representative viewpoint for the north face of Tsurugi-dake, where on windless clear days the mountain is reflected upside down. The pond is also home to Japanese giant salamanders. Traces of the molybdenum mine remain around the hut, including stone walls of the office and lodgings, fragments of parts used at the time, and chunks of molybdenum. There are also mine tunnel remains on Ikedaira-yama, visible from a distance, and the hut offers guided tours for guests staying multiple nights. Access is challenging. From the south, routes include Kurobe Dam – Kurausudaira – Hashigodani Pass – Sennin Pass – Ikenotairagoya (about 9 hours 55 minutes) and Murodo – Tsurugi-gozen-goya – Tsurugisawa-goya – Masuzawa Lodge – Sennin Pass – Ikenotairagoya (about 10 hours). From the north, the route runs Keyakidaira Station – Asohara Onsen-goya – Sennin-dani Dam – Sennin Onsen-goya – Sennin-ike Hut – Sennin Pass – Ikenotairagoya (about 13 hours 20 minutes). The route from the summit of Tsurugi-dake via the northern ridge is a dangerous variation route with many rocky sections and is not for general climbers; the hut asks that only those with the skill and experience to reliably reach the hut make reservations via that route.

• 2024

  The hut accommodated 22 people and operated on a fully reservation-only basis.

• 1994

  A new hut was completed and operations resumed.

• 1991

  A typhoon damaged the hut, and the manager died, putting its survival in doubt.

• 1966

  The hut could accommodate 80 people after renovations and additions.

• 1951

  The facility was transferred and became a staffed commercial hut.

• 1928

  The facility began to be used as a mountain hut after the molybdenum mine closed.

A remote, volunteer-supported mountain hut in the Northern Alps, known for its red exterior, isolation, and views of Tsurugi-dake.

• Overnight lodging

  Accommodation for 22 guests as of 2024, fully reservation-only.

• Campsite

  Designated campsite for about 30 tents outside the hut.

• Bath

  Bath exclusively for overnight guests.

• Guided mine ruins tour

  Tours for guests staying multiple nights to see molybdenum mine remains.

1. 1ホームページsites.google.com
2. 2Ikenotairagoya - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3池の平小屋 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org