National park · Japan
Hakusan National Park白山国立公園
Enter Hakusan National Park: pay the entry fee (≈¥500‑¥1000 per person), hike the short Mt Haku summit (2‑3 h) in summer, or longer alpine routes in late summer‑fall; avoid winter road closures.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)
approximate
Established
1960
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
- Chubu ↗IC cards (ICOCA, Suica, manaca) work on most city trains and buses in Nagoya, Kanazawa, Shizuoka and Matsumoto; rural buses often take cash only.
- Chubu ↗The Hokuriku Shinkansen's fastest service, Kagayaki, is reservation-only; the slower Hakutaka has non-reserved cars.
At a glance
- Country
- Japan
- Area
- 500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)
- Area listed as 500 km²; some sources give slightly different figures, so treat as approximate (check).
- Established
- 1960
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Hakusan National Park spans Ishikawa, Gifu, Fukui and Toyama prefectures in central Japan, protecting Mount Haku (2,702 m), alpine flora such as chocolate lily, and habitats for golden eagles. The park offers short summit walks and longer high‑altitude treks, with access mainly via the Hakusan Super Forest Road from Kanazawa.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1960.
Size and age
500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²) · national park since 1960
Area listed as 500 km²; some sources give slightly different figures, so treat as approximate (check).
Why go
- Mount Haku is one of Japan’s Three Famous Mountains, offering alpine scenery.
- The park spans four prefectures with diverse flora such as chocolate lily.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanSnow and road closures likely
- FebSnow, limited access
- MarEarly spring, trails opening
- AprSpring blossoms, some snow remaining
- MayClear weather, full trail access
- JunLate summer, good for summit
- JulWarm, stable conditions
- AugPeak summer, full access
- SepLate summer, clear skies
- OctAutumn colours, cooler
- NovEarly snow possible
- DecSnow, road closures
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden EagleJun–Sep · Prefectural bird of Ishikawa, seen soaring on cliffs. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Chocolate lilyMay–Aug · Prefectural flower of Ishikawa, alpine meadows. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance area | Visitor centre, ticket office, short summit trail start | Open with entry ticket |
| Alpine trailheads | Access points for longer routes | Guided or self‑guided with proper equipment |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official park site; summit point approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | JPY 500–1,000 (≈ US$4–7) | person | Check at gate for exact price |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are scarce.
- Pets
- Dogs must be on a leash; some trails prohibit pets.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; wild camping prohibited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Kanazawa
Hotels, ryokan and guesthouses 2 h drive from park gate.
Near the park
Toyama
Budget inns and train‑linked hotels.
Safety
Snow and avalanches high
Altitude medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre reachable by car with short paved paths.
- Summit trail includes steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile alpine vegetation.
- Use designated waste facilities; avoid plastic.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Hakusan National Park?
Entry is about ¥500‑¥1000 per person; buy the ticket at the gate or visitor centre.
What are the best hikes in Hakusan National Park?
The short Mt Haku summit trail (2‑3 h) is ideal in summer; longer alpine ridge treks are best in late summer‑fall.
When is the best time to visit Hakusan National Park?
Late summer (June‑August) and early autumn (September‑October) offer clear weather and full trail access.
Can I camp in the park?
Camping is allowed only in designated campgrounds; wild camping is prohibited.
Is the park accessible from Kanazawa?
Yes, a 2‑hour drive via the Hakusan Super Forest Road brings you to the main entrance.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Hakusan National Park
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