↘ Furano-dake — Nishi-shamen

Furano-dake's Nishi-shamen climbs the Giant Ridge (the peak's NW ridge) from the winter trailhead at the Hakuginso turnoff / Okinakouen bus stop (~1000 m) to about 1400–1450 m, then drops a NW-facing descent west off the ridge into the Nijurinpan-sawa gully — up to ~500 m of skiing (most parties ski ~350 m), over about 5 km and 4 hours, with a skin back up to the ridge to exit. It is ATES Complex (Level 3) avalanche terrain, graded 6.5/10 by Hokkaido Wilds. This is a description of the ground, not a recommendation.

[The climb] The trailhead area is wind-blasted, but the lower ridge is sheltered forest. Above treeline expect hard wind-pack — ski crampons earn their place. As the waypoints put it, ~1400 m is 'the general limit of powder on this ridge'; above that you 'climb till crusty.'

[The descent — the point that matters] The slopes dropping west off the ridge into the gully are what Hokkaido Wilds itself flags as classic avalanche terrain. The baked 75° maximum-slope figure is a local gully-wall value, not the ski line (the median is ~30°), but the gully is collecting, lee-loaded terrain either way. Stable conditions only, one at a time, with your exit (the re-climb) always in hand.

[Cautions] The forest entry/exit low down is genuinely awkward, tight bush (the ~1025 m 'heinous entry/exit' waypoint), and there are creek crossings and snow bridges near the bottom. The Tokachi massif has been at JMA Volcanic Alert Level 2 since June 2026; this route lies outside the restriction zone, but check both the live JMA volcano bulletin and the Japan Avalanche Network Central Hokkaido bulletin before touring.

Trailhead & parking: The winter trailhead (~1000 m) sits at the Hakuginso turnoff on the Tokachidake Onsen road, beside the Okinakouen bus stop. The official lot fits only 6–7 cars and fills fast — arrive early or park at the Fukiage Onsen carpark 1.5 km down the road (roadside parking is illegal).

Getting there: From Kami-Furano toward Tokachidake Onsen. The Kami-Furano town bus (Tokachidake Onsen line, Okinakouen stop; ~30 min, ~¥500, 3/day) makes this one of Hokkaido's rare bus-accessible backcountry trailheads.

Onsen: the free wild Fukiage rotenburo, Ryounkaku (Hokkaido's highest onsen) and Hakuginso — confirm hours and winter opening locally.

Info: Check the live JMA volcano bulletin (Tokachidake) and the JAN Central Hokkaido avalanche bulletin before every tour.