Nitonupuri · Routes
↘ Nitonupuri — Southeast Face
⚠️ Every Yotei route is advanced, Complex avalanche terrain (max slope ~37–47°). Not a first tour; not for unguided AST-1 parties.
Steepness · profile
← Distance 3.6 km →
Per-segment terrain (data table)
| % | m | Steepness | Aspect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | 616 | 18° | W |
| 3% | 617 | 22° | NW |
| 6% | 625 | 32° | S |
| 9% | 650 | 40° | SW |
| 13% | 696 | 40° | S |
| 16% | 707 | 37° | S |
| 19% | 730 | 36° | S |
| 22% | 745 | 35° | S |
| 25% | 762 | 38° | SE |
| 28% | 770 | 38° | SE |
| 31% | 792 | 38° | SE |
| 34% | 814 | 35° | SE |
| 38% | 867 | 36° | SE |
| 41% | 929 | 35° | SE |
| 44% | 956 | 28° | SE |
| 47% | 967 | 37° | E |
| 50% | 1019 | 36° | E |
| 53% | 1070 | 31° | E |
| 56% | 1064 | 34° | S |
| 59% | 1005 | 31° | S |
| 63% | 971 | 29° | W |
| 66% | 950 | 28° | SW |
| 69% | 922 | 33° | SW |
| 72% | 895 | 30° | S |
| 75% | 860 | 38° | S |
| 78% | 833 | 37° | SE |
| 81% | 803 | 39° | S |
| 84% | 766 | 38° | S |
| 88% | 725 | 40° | S |
| 91% | 690 | 40° | S |
| 94% | 643 | 29° | SW |
| 97% | 623 | 22° | S |
| 100% | 617 | 16° | NW |
📖 Route guide
The Southeast Face is the steeper, more complex zone on this popular peak. From the Yusato Gate it climbs and descends the south-to-southeast aspect (baked mean ~176°). Hokkaido Wilds gives ~3.5 km, ~416 m, ~3 hours, grade 5/10. Its line median of ~32° is the steepest of the four, and the source stresses the complexity of the terrain. Read this as a description, not a recommendation.
[Terrain] Treeline comes early, around 950 m, and the upper mountain (~950–1076 m) holds a 'deep southeast gully' — a terrain trap. Baked maximum pitch 42°. The high point is a 1076 m false peak. The return passes a waterfall, with small drops and jumps scattered along the descent.
[Avalanches and terrain traps] The gully collects avalanche debris and offers little escape — a classic terrain trap. Like the south face, the southeast is worked by both sun and wind-loading. Check the Niseko avalanche bulletin and the JAN SW Hokkaido bulletin before departing, and make your own stability assessment.
🚗 Access & logistics
Start & parking: The Yusato Gate (Route 66 winter closure, ~800 m up from Chisenupuri village). Roadside parking is extremely limited — you may need to clear your own space; take care not to block the road.
Getting there: Car only; no public transport. ~24 km from Hirafu, a taxi is ~¥7,500–8,000 one-way. Carpooling recommended.
Onsen: Goshiki Onsen is close by. Confirm hours locally.
Info: Check the Niseko avalanche bulletin and the JAN SW Hokkaido bulletin before departing.
📍 Yotei — local notes
- The summit dome is featureless — in a whiteout, navigate by compass bearing.
- The crater rim can be corniced — keep well back from the edge.
- Above ~1300 m the snow is often wind-hammered or icy — crampons or ski-crampons are commonly needed, and many parties descend from here.
- Near the summit the slope faces every aspect — wind-loading and sun change fast; read the bulletin’s full rose.
- On a symmetric cone with a featureless summit it’s easy to drop the wrong aspect in flat light and descend into a different valley than you climbed — confirm your descent bearing before dropping in.
📋 Trip plan
🏔 Terrain (auto)
Slope-based estimate — not an official ATES rating.
🌡 Today's conditions
…
All values are estimates. Defer to official avalanche + weather bulletins.
⚠️ Avalanche bulletin (read first)
Today's danger rating + avalanche rose (aspect/elevation) come from the official bulletin — check it before you go.
📝 Pre-trip checklist
🗺 Hokkaido Wilds · Rob Thomson — HokkaidoWilds.org · CC BY-SA 4.0
🎥 山のまこちゃん · Video report
山のまこちゃん (Yama no Makochan) covers Yotei routes on video — embedding pending his permission.
Route data source: Rob Thomson — HokkaidoWilds.org · CC BY-SA 4.0 · ↓ Download GPX