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Welcome Message
Nearly 100 Years of History – Renovated in 2022 / A Mountain Hut for Both Climbers and Non-Climbers / How to Enjoy Reisen Hutte
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How to Enjoy Reisen Hutte
Nourish Body and Soul Through Food / Embrace the Rhythm of Nature / Experience the Essence of “Less is More”
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Play at 3,026 Meters
Welcoming Both Beginners and Experts Alike / A Hill Climb Destination Every Cyclist Dreams Of
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Toward a Truly Off-Grid Life
Energy Management at Reisen Hutte / Water, Sourced from the Cold Spring Itself / Our Heat Sources: LP Gas and More / Generating Power from the Sun — at 2,100 Meters
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We Invite You to Visit in a Green-Friendly Way
Private Vehicle Access Is Restricted / We Recommend Arriving by Foot, Bicycle, or Bus
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Welcome Message
Nearly 100 Years of History – Renovated in 2022 / A Mountain Hut for Both Climbers and Non-Climbers / How to Enjoy Reisen Hutte
00
Welcome Message
Nearly 100 Years of History – Renovated in 2022 / A Mountain Hut for Both Climbers and Non-Climbers / How to Enjoy Reisen Hutte
Nearly 100 Years of History – Renovated in 2022
Nice to meet you — I’m Junichi Murata, the owner of Reisen Hutte. Reisen Hutte is a mountain lodge located on Mount Norikura, which straddles Nagano and Gifu Prefectures. The name comes not from a hot spring, but from a unique sulfur cold spring that flows nearby. Originally established in 1931 (Showa 6), the lodge was closed for 16 years before being completely renovated and reborn in July 2022 as the new Reisen Hutte. Most privately owned mountain huts today were built before the National Park Law was enacted, making it legally very difficult to construct new ones. As a result, ownership rarely changes hands publicly and is usually passed down within families. However, this has led to some lodges facing a lack of successors. The previous owner of Reisen Hutte, Mr. Toyoo Tsutsuki, was openly seeking someone to whom he could transfer ownership. By chance, I met Mr. Tsutsuki through my work, and I was deeply moved by his wish to see Reisen Hutte continue into the future. After navigating complex negotiations with the Forestry Agency and the Ministry of the Environment, we achieved something quite rare in Japan — the successful transfer of a mountain hut.
A Mountain Hut for Both Climbers and Non-Climbers
Traditionally, mountain huts are built deep in the mountains to provide rest, shelter, or emergency refuge for climbers. In other words, you usually have to hike to reach them. But mountain climbing requires carrying minimal gear and having strong legs—making it an activity not accessible to everyone. Mount Norikura, however, is a rare exception. Despite its impressive elevation of 3,026 meters, a road extends almost to the summit, and you can reach Reisen Hutte by bus. The lodge sits at an altitude of 2,100 meters, where—on clear mornings—you may see a sea of clouds spread beneath you, and at night, a sky so full of stars it might make you dizzy just looking up. These are the kinds of sights usually reserved for those who climb, and yet here, they’re accessible to more people. Thanks to the road, visitors can also enjoy road cycling. In short, Mount Norikura offers a surprisingly wide range of outdoor experiences. Personally, I’ve always been an outdoor enthusiast—passionate about mountaineering and paddling rivers around the world. To be honest, I wasn’t initially drawn to the idea of a mountain that had a road. But as I came to see this mountain from different perspectives, I discovered how rich and diverse it truly is. That’s why I decided to make Reisen Hutte a place that both climbers and non-climbers alike can enjoy.
How to Enjoy Reisen Hutte
Reisen Hutte is not connected to public utilities such as electricity or gas. As it is located within a national park, there are restrictions on private vehicles to protect the environment from exhaust pollution. Therefore, guests cannot arrive by car—but bus service is available.
Because of these limitations, we’ve applied thoughtful technology and creative solutions to ensure that our guests can relax and enjoy their stay while embracing the natural rhythms of the mountains.
Thanks to the work of our talented architectural team, the interior has been beautifully designed with a Scandinavian touch. That said, please remember—Reisen Hutte is a mountain lodge, not a hotel.
There are a few things we ask guests to keep in mind to help ensure a safe and comfortable stay. In this ""Reisen Story,"" we hope to share with you what makes Reisen Hutte special, and the background that shaped it.
We’d be delighted if you read it as though receiving a letter from the heart of Mount Norikura.
Warm regards,
Junichi Murata
Owner, Reisen Hutte
For a detailed archive of the renovation process, please visit our note page:
https://note.com/reisen0000/
