Mt. Kisokoma-gatake

A main peak of the Central Japan Alps, Mt. Kisokoma-gatake, stands at an elevation of 2,956m.  There are no mountains higher than an elevation of 3,000m in the area.  Therefore, that makes Mt. Kisokoma-gatake the main peak and the highest peak of the Central Japan Alps.  In the Ina area, people call Mt. Kisokoma-gatake ‘Nishi West-komagatake’ indicating a relation of sorts to Mt. Kaikoma-gatake.  It is said that a unique mountain worship began in a combination with Buddhism.  The Central Japan Alps are known as the Kiso Mountains, the Northern Japan Alps are known as the Hida mountains, and the Southern Japan Alps are known as the Akaishi mountains.  The length is 100 km from North to South.  These mountains are reverse faults, mountains created by crustal movement.  Besides Mt. Kisokoma-gatake, Mt. Houken-dake, Mt. Utsugi-dake, Mt. Minamikoma-gatake, Mt. Ena-san, Mt. Kyou-gatake and Mt. Minamikiso-gatake are also famous mountains.  Compared to the Northern Japan Alps and the Southern Japan Alps, the mountainous area is smaller, however, wide views from long ridgelines and the variety of the Alpine plants of the Central Japan Alps rival those of the Northern and Southern Japan Alps.  Ptarmigans are spotted in the mountains recently as well.  Let’s go hike the Central Japan Alps this summer!