Ura Ginza from Nanakura Sanso is a strenuous 3-4 traverse in the Northern Alps. It passes by Eboshidake and has some very exposed and dangerous sections. Due to the remoteness of this trail, some sections are not well maintained and overgrown.
⏲︎ Time: 30h
✎ Kanji: 裏銀座登山
⚲ Location: Nagano/Toyama
↔ Distance: 45.6km
✮ Difficulty: Expert
ᨒ Elevation Gain: 5056m
☀ Multiday
☉ Hiking Season: mid July
to late September
Access
Car
Nanakura sanso has a big parking lot (100 cars). There are toilets, a camp section and the lodge also offers day use of the hot spring (680¥)
Public Transportation
During the climbing season the Uraginza bus runs from Shinano Omachi. It has 4 departures and cost is 1500¥.
The road to the trailhead and up the dam is private. You can either take a taxi from Nanakura sanso or walk 1.5h. The taxi is 2300¥ per person.
(As of August 2024, the taxi ride is currently split into two parts and one section needs to be walked. Depending on the season the taxis start running between 5-7am as shown below.)
Trail description
Day 1: 8:45h, 22.2km, 2955m elevation gain (Yamap estimate: 10h with no breaks)
The trailhead is on the left side of the dam. Keep walking along the small road and along the dam lake.
Until Yumata sanso the trail is mostly flat and partially on a forest road. You’ll also pass a small emergency shelter that is always open.
Once you get to Yumatasanso you have to cross the river by a small pulley carriage system. Pull the seat over, clip it to the poles and then you can climb in safely. Then you can pull yourself over the river and get to the other side.
Across the river is Seiransou which is the last stop before the long and steep ascent to the ridge and Masagodake. Fill up water and bring lots. The ascent is very steep and strenuous. (We had 2.5l each and both ran out)
In the next 6km you’ll have to cover an additional 1608m elevation gain. (Bringing the total to almost 3000m elevation gain)
Overall the trail is not well maintained and overgrown in parts. The ground is also often sandy and unstable.
Once you make it up, the views open up and after Noguchigoro you have only a short bit left until Noguchigoro goya where you’ll stay for the night.
The owner and staff of the hut are really nice and this is a very cozy and comfortable hut with a more traditional feel compared to some of the big huts.
Day 2: 9h, 14.8km, 1451m elevation gain, 1930m elevation down (Yamap estimate: 10.5h with no breaks)
Today you are traversing to Eboshi and along the ridgeline to Funakubogoya. The first section of the traverse is very scenic on a well maintained trail. It takes about 2-3h to Eboshi Goya which makes for a great breakfast stop. Fill up your water here as there will be no more water for the next 7-8h after.
Next is the peak of Eboshi. Leave your backpack at the junction and climb the 15min up to the peak. There are some exposed spots but everything is well secured by chains. From the peak you have incredibly views in any direction.
Once you make your way down continue to Minamisawadake. After the peak the trail gets a lot more dangerous, exposed and unmaintained. The ground is loose and unstable, the drop-offs to the side are deadly and there is no support like chains or ropes.
You’ll need gloves and nerves of steel as you grab onto the bushes to the side to keep yourself from sliding off the edge.
It took us about 6h from Minamisawadake to the campsite of Funakubogoya. The trail was a constant up and down along scary ridges, half in the forest and half out in the open. This section is not walked much, not well maintained and has had many deadly accidents. Be very careful.
Since you are in the forest for the majority of the time the views are also nothing special.
Once you get to the campsite, you can set up and then walk the last 20min up to the hut. There is a Porta-potty at the campsite but it’s in bad shape. Funakubo goya looked like a cozy hut but very barebones. There is no water, no electricity and no snacks etc. Very different than some of the famous huts in Kamikochi etc. It looked very cozy though and the food smelled delicious.
Day 3: 3.5h, 4.5km, 1468 elevation down (Yamap estimate: 4h with no breaks)
The descent back to Nanakura Sanso is equally as steep as the ascent on day 1. It takes 3-4h through the forest over roots and with the help of some ladders.
Once you get back to Nanakura you can have food or a bath at the hut.
Accomodation
Noguchigoro Goya: 13.000¥ including 2 meals, reservation required. No tent.
Funakubo Goya: 11.000¥ including 2 meals reservation required. Tents 1500¥ per tent, first come first serve)
Both huts have no water source, so water is extremely limited. Depending on the year and timing there might be only bottled water available. In August 2024 Funakubo goya had a 2l unfiltered rainwater per person limit. (500ml 300¥, bottled water 500ml 600¥)
Considering the extreme heat a water refill is very expensive. Plan accordingly.
Other huts on the traverse
Eboshi goya: 13.000¥ incl 2 meals reservation required. Tent 2000¥ first come first serve (the tent site can get very busy)
Extra Info for this hike
Make sure you have rescue insurance and your abilities match the skill level needed for this trail. This is a very strenuous and difficult hike that requires experience and stamina.
The trail after Eboshi is not well marked, not maintained and overgrown, bring a gps and paper map and be careful to not go off-trail.
Gloves and water filter are needed for this hike.
Comments