Ryōmata Hut

Mountain hut at about 2,000m on the left bank of the upper Norokawa, some 300m downstream of where the river's left and right forks meet, in the northern Southern Alps. It sits in a valley off the main ridge route over Kitadake and Ainodake; the usual approach drops from Kitazawa Pass to Norokawa-deai and then follows a forest road and marked riverbed for roughly four to five hours. The valley is wide and bright, with Ainodake filling the head of the right fork, water is plentiful, and the forest climbing to the Senshio ridge presses right up behind the building. It sleeps about 30, with a designated campsite for about 30 tents. Rebuilt after a 1982 typhoon flood left the original leaning, it draws hikers who want an unhurried stay away from the crowded ridgeline, and regulars who come for the keeper's company. Managed by the NPO Ryomata Rindo Aikokai.