With just a few small gullies of snow remaining from last winter, Mt Yotei is open for hiking for summer 2018.
Mt Yotei Ranger Hideaki Kondo opened the mountain for the 20th year, as he celebrates two decades taking care of the mountain and those who want to climb it.
Slide the centreline left and right to see the difference!
Kondo-san will spend much of the next four months living out of the Mt Yotei hut.
Far from a holiday, he’ll spend the summer repairing trails and signs and ensuring visitors stay safe.
Kondo-san opened the Hirafu course last Saturday, and is planning to open the Makkari course this Sunday, June 17, and the Kyogoku course next Thursday June 21.
Main photo top: Aaron Jamieson / Other photos: Mt Yotei Hut Facebook Page