Shikoku is a hiker’s paradise, especially if you’re not mountaineer or rock climber and prefer to stay on your feet like me. But unlike the well-known hikes and trails of the Northern Alps – Shikoku’s mountains have an undiscovered, untouched feel – at least from the point of view of a non-Japanese person.
While mountain huts in many parts of the world (Europe) feel more like an luxury stay, Shikoku offers a unique mix of accessible, manned lodges and remote, unmanned shelters. These huts have many names, which I speak more about here, otherwise without further ado here is my list of the best huts in Shikoku!
My Top 5 Shikoku huts (yamagoya)
5. Okameiwa Hut (お亀岩避難小屋) – The “Tenguzuka” Hut
Located near the beautiful, pointed peak of Mt. Tenguzuka, this is in my opinion one of the most classic looking huts in Shikoku.
- Location: Between Mt. Miune and Mt. Tenguzuka.
- Type: Hinan-goya (避難小屋)
- Capacity/Notes: Free / Unmanned. Two stories with a very clean, inviting wooden interior. Limited space, arrive early
- Personal Notes: It has a great style and is the perfect base for exploring Tenguzuka, which is one of the most aesthetic peaks on the island.
- Read more: Mt. Miune to Tenguzuka overnight
4. Oku-kuishiyama Hut (奥工石山避難小屋) – Totally off grid, man
For those looking to go somewhere totally unknown, Oku-kuishiyama is the answer. It is deep in the Kochi mountains and provides that rare sense of total isolation. With a fire place without chimney (cough cough) the hut was set up for those heading to the nearby Shrine.
- Location: Oku-kuishiyama, Otoyo-cho, Kochi.
- Type: Hinan-goya (避難小屋)
- Capacity/Notes: Free / Unmanned. No bookings required.
- Personal Notes: I love this spot because it is totally off the grid and rarely visited, offering a raw connection to the forest. The nearby hike will tick off one of Shikoku’s Hyakkumeizan
- Read more: Oku-kuishiyama hike
3. Higashi-Akaishi Hut (赤石山荘) – It is what’s on the inside that counts.
This hut sits just below the rocky, peridotite-heavy ridgeline of Mt. Higashi-Akaishi. It offers a “fee-paying” unmanned experience. Useful if you want to see Higashi Akaishi then turn back or do the full Besshi loop like we ended up doing!
- Location: Mt. Higashi-Akaishi (1,706m), Ehime.
- Type: Yuuryou Mujin-goya (有料無人小屋). This unmanned shelter is paid and requires a booking. It is a unique experience compared to the standard unmanned shelters.
- Personal notes: The “Rock Garden” surrounding the hut is cool. It was hot in summer when we went, so better in Spring and Autumn.
- Booking: Call manager Yasumori-san at 0897-55-4831 (9 AM – 5 PM, Mar–Dec). No online booking available; Japanese required for name, dates, and group size.
- Read more: Higashi-Akaishi hike
2. Miune Hut (三嶺ヒュッテ) – The Most Iconic Ridge View
Perched perfectly on the ridge near the summit of Mt. Miune, this is arguably the most famous hut in Shikoku. It is a Hinan-goya, but its location is world-class.
- Location: Mt. Miune (1,894m), Tokushima/Kochi border.
- Type: Hinan-goya (避難小屋)
- Capacit: A very sturdy, two-story wooden structure but smaller than you think.
- Personal Notes: Its location is incredibly well-perched for sunrise views over the peaks of the Iya Valley; a favorite for winter overnight trips.
- Read more: Mt. Miune Winter overnight
1. Marusansou (丸山荘) – Old Ski Field
Located below the summit of Sasagamine, Marusansou is a serviced (at the time of visit) Yamagoya with a unique history – it’s situated at what used to be an old ski area. It has a fantastic retro vibe that feels like a step back into Japan’s mountain history.
- Location: Below the summit of Mt. Sasagamine (Ehime/Kochi border).
- Type: Sansou (山荘) manned / serviced lodge)
- Capacity/Notes: Paid (approx. ¥7,000 for stay/meals; ¥4,000 for stay only). It accommodates around 50 people and offers camping for a small fee (¥400).
- Personal Notes: It’s one of the few places in the area where you can get a warm, serviced meal at the time of writing.
- Booking: Call manager Ochi-san at 0897-59-0520 (or 0897-53-5292) to reserve your stay between late April and early November, as there is no online system and Japanese is required.
- Read more: Sasagamine hike
Other mountain huts and cabins of note
- Ishizuchi Chojo-Sanso Lodge (石鎚神社頂上山荘): This is the main mountain hut located right at the Mt Ishizuchi summit. It provides simple overnight accommodation and has a small cafeteria where you can get basic meals like udon, curry, and coffee. It’s the best spot for sunrise views, but it usually closes during the winter months.
- Tsurugisan Chojo Hut (剣山頂上ヒュッテ): Located right near the summit of Mt. Tsurugi (Shikoku’s second highest peak), this historic hut offers simple accommodation and a cafeteria serving udon and coffee. It’s an ideal spot to catch a sunrise over the “sea of clouds” without a long pre-dawn hike.
- Mt. Kajigamori Star Lodge (山荘梶ヶ森): A serviced lodge famous for its on-site astronomical observatory and friendly owners. A great choice if you want comfort and incredible night skies and can be done as part of this Kajigamori hike.
- There is a basic emergency shelter out the back for when the Kajigamori Star Lodge is closed.
- Sanso Shirasa (山荘しらさ): A high-end, boutique paid lodge (approx. ¥20,000) on the Kamegamori Forest Road. A great base for exploring nearby mountains or the UFO line.
- Shiraso Shelter (白石避難小屋): A basic emergency shelter nearby Sanso Shirasa, used when the main lodge is closed.
- Haccho Hut (八丁ヒュッテ): An older but nice located lower down on the southern side of the Miune Tenguzuka mounrain range.
- Ryugu Cliffs Park Cabins (龍宮崖コテージ): While not a mountain cabin, these are a fantastic base if you wish to explore the Iya Valley. You can cross a high steel rope bridge to reach them (or drive around).