蛭ヶ岳山荘

Mountain hut on the summit of Hirugatake (1,673m), the highest peak of the Tanzawa massif and the highest point in Kanagawa Prefecture. It lies near the centre of Tanzawa, far from every trailhead: routes from the south and east over Tonodake and Tanzawasan, from the west over Hinokiboramaru, and from the north over Himetsugi all meet at the top. The prefecture itself recommends staying at the hut rather than trying it in a day. From the summit the view runs full circle over the Tanzawa ranges, with brilliant stars in summer and, in winter, ridge upon ridge that rivals the Northern Alps. Open all year, with room-only, one-meal and two-meal stays. It is run by Kita-Tanzawa Sangaku LLC (the Kita-Tanzawa Mountain Centre), which also manages the Toge-no-chaya teahouse on Jinbasan and the Kannokawa Hutte.