↘ Sandan-yama — Fukiage Onsen (standard)

Sandan-yama (1748 m) is the bench-terraced peak northwest of Tokachidake — its name ('three-step mountain') describes the stacked profile seen from the Bogakudai side. This is the classic of the Tokachi Range: from Fukiage Onsen's Hakuginso lodge (~1010 m) up the northwest ridge to the summit and back, ~730 m over ~6 km, around 4 hours (3 up, 1 down). Under the current Alert Level 2 it is also one of the few major Tokachi objectives outside the restriction zone. The day includes terrain of ATES Complex (Level 3) character; read this as a description, not a recommendation.

[The climb] From behind Hakuginso the track climbs the open, tree-free cuts of the defunct Fukiage ski area onto the main ridge ('gain the main ridge around here,' ~1168 m). From there it follows roughly the summer-trail line — benched flats alternating with four or so short steeper rises, rarely demanding kick-turns. Maximum slope is about 42°, but the median is a mellow ~24°.

[The summit, 1748 m] The top is fully exposed. Midwinter cold is the routine hazard here: below −15°C at the lodge and −25°C windchill on the summit are normal. Tokachidake's steaming vents fill the view east — and that eastern ridge runs close to the JMA restriction boundary (~1.5 km around the 62-2 crater). Do not drift east.

[The descent] Ski the NW ascent slopes back down. Ice clumps and creeping pine hide under the powder, especially on the bench edges above the old ski-area cuts; a small gully at ~1644 m is flagged as a hazard waypoint. And the benches' gentle look is deceptive about the lee sides: in March 2026 a size-2 wind slab in the Sandan-yama / Ansei crater area fully buried a ski tourer. Check the JAN Central Hokkaido bulletin for the day and make your own stability assessment.

Start & parking: The Hakuginso carpark at Fukiage Onsen; backcountry users park on the eastern side (lodge policy; overnight ¥500).

Getting there: Winter access is via Route 291 from Kami-Furano only (the Biei/Shirogane road is closed in winter). Town bus from JR Kami-Furano Station: ~30 min, ~¥500, 3/day.

The day: The standard ~6 km, ~4 hour day tour of the range. Severe cold and wind are the routine hazard — dress for frostbite prevention.

Onsen: Hakuginso's day-use bath (~¥700) is at the trailhead door; the free wild Fukiage rotenburo is 10 minutes down the road. Bunks ~¥3100 (phone booking only), big communal kitchen and drying room; Jan–Feb weekends book out.

Info: Check the live JMA volcano bulletin (Tokachidake), Kamifurano town notices and the JAN Central Hokkaido bulletin before departing.