Hello,
I’m planning a solo trip to Japan this year to explore the alps. I have experience backpacking in the Sierra Nevada in the USA, and Jasper Banff in Canada but nothing crazy technical beside a little bit of scrambling here and there. I’ve been looking at something that matches my experience and the Panorama-Ginza Panorama-Ginza route seems like a good option:
[https://www.go-nagano.net/en/theme/id=19381](https://www.go-nagano.net/en/theme/id=19381)
Well, here come my questions:
1. Is this route as non-technical as I think it is?
2. For someone who doesn’t speak a lick of Japanese, what are the odds I will actually be able to reserve spots in the huts. Is there a time of the year that will maximize my chances?
3. Should I bring a tent because I likely won’t be able to reserve a hut for every night?
4. Again, since I don’t speak any Japanese, how do I communicate with the staff, and generally navigate when I can’t read the signs. I would very much prefer not to be an annoyance.
5. Water is scarce at these huts. What are some rules around using it responsibly? Can I brush my teeth?
6. What are etiquette around doing the number 1 or 2 on the trail?
I haven’t travelled internationally that much in life so I’m not that experienced, but I’m getting old and want to see a few things before I go. I appreciate any help you can provide.
3 comments
Hi!
At least two of the huts on the route have English webpages: Enzanso and Daitenso. So presumably you can make reservations in English.
This is the English page for Enzanso.
[https://www.enzanso.co.jp/english](https://www.enzanso.co.jp/english)
The other two come up with Google Translate. I would imagine you can actually book as a foreigner.
I would spend some time on the websites.
Chougatte says these days are likely to be crowded in 2022. I think it’s not so hard to extrapolate what those dates are for 2023.
July 15-18, 23-26, 29-30August 1, 5-7, 9, 12-13, 20-21
So I would plan my trip to avoid those dates.
I am not a climber, but the end of the route must be doa-ble for even those less skilled because Chougatte has child meals. On Enzanso’s page they specifically talk about an easy route, a medium route and an advanced route so the start must be do-able too?
No, this route is not technical at least from June to October. Avoid weekends and mid August, and you will be able to find plenty of vacancies.
These huts offer dinner, breakfast, and lunch bento as options. They usually offer water for free – 200 yen.
Nobody speaks English, so ask for house rules in advance via email. The staff will try to answer your questions using Google translate. Huts have their rules regarding schlafs, sleeping hours, eating times, etc.
It will be easier if you camp instead of staying at the huts because you won’t have to understand the explanations about etiquette, rules, dinner.
Enzanso you can reserve online, the other ones I’m not sure. Translate the websites with google chrome. You’ll have to reserve for tents as well.
Google translate will be your best bet, don’t expect any English. Look at the kanji for the mountains etc in advance. Not all trailmarkers are in English.
Download yamap and the corresponding map beforehand. It works with gps and is free. It’s half in Japanese but enough is in English to be able to use it.
There are a couple of exposed sections but it’s not technical.
Do no.2 in the actual toilets. Other than that leave no trace
Get insurance
I’ve walked omote ginza (similar to panorama ginza) so feel free to message me with any other questions