↘ Furano-dake — Nishi-shamen

[CLOSED RIGHT NOW] JMA raised Tokachidake to Volcanic Alert Level 3 (mountain access restriction) on 12 September 2026 (in force as of 2026-09-12). On the Kamifurano side the Tokachidake Onsen and Fukiage trailheads are closed and climbing toward the Daisetsuzan range from the town is prohibited, so this route on the same massif is closed right now (Kamifurano Tokachidake Tourism Association, 12 September 2026).

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. Whatever releases above ends up on its floor, the only way out of it is the climb back to the ridge, and everyone in it at the same time is standing in the same slide path.

[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 old 'outside the restriction zone' wording is a Level 2 record (June 2026 to 11 September 2026) and does not establish current access. Check the live JMA volcano bulletin, Kamifurano town notices 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.