Mount Sandan
Mount Sandan (三段山 Sandanyama) (1,748 metres) is a peak in the Tokachi Mountains. It is located on the west side of Mount Tokachi in Kamikawa Subprefecture, in the southwest of the Daisetsuzan National Park.
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Access and trailhead
The main trailhead and carpark is at Tokachidake Onsen (next to Ryounkaku inn 凌雲閣) is at the end of Route 291, 20 km east of Kamifurano, which is directly linked to Asahikawa by Route 237 (about 45 km). Several public buses a day go from Kami Furano Station to Tokachidake Onsen.
Hill walks
Sandan is the nearest mountain to Tokachidake Onsen, offering a short walk up to the peak and back, or a longer circuit route to Fukiage Onsen.
The walking season is from July to October.
Starting and ending at Tokachidake Onsen (4.5 km)
The walk from the hot springs of Tokachidake Onsen (1,280 m elevation) to the peak and back again takes about 2 hours 45 minutes in good conditions. From the trailhead (1,280 m) the path leads gently up towards Anjō Volcano. At 1,348 m there is a well signed junction (20 minutes). The main path leads east to Mount Tokachi and the other mountains. The other one turns north for Sandan, climbing to the peak (1,748 m, 1 hour 20 minutes). Returning on the same path takes just over an hour.
Circuit starting at Tokachidake Onsen and ending at Fukiage Onsen (5.5 km)
The circuit takes about 3 hours 15 minutes. The walk to Mount Sandan is as described immediately above. From the peak there is a long gradual descent to Fukiage Onsen trailhead and carpark (1.017 m, 1 hour 30 minutes).
Clothing and equipment
Hiking boots are recommended. Walking poles are helpful, also layered clothing for a sudden change in the weather. As always in Hokkaidō you should take enough water for the trip. (Don't drink from streams as there is a danger of echinococcosis.)
Contour maps
- Map 654205 1:25,000 (Tokachidake Northwest) Kokuto Chiriin (国土地理院) [1]
- Attack Tokachidake Renpō 1:25,000 ISBN 4-87641-436-X (Yen 1,000) (This includes a pamphlet in Japanese explaining routes and estimated times for individual sections.)
Google map
Geographic coordinates are 43.398° N, 142.657° W
| Coordinates | 43°23′52.8″ N, 142°39′25.2″ W (Latitude: 43.398° N, Longitude: 142.657° W) + find maps Google maps Mapquest |