Mt. Kosumo-yama/Sengai-rei/Mt. Minami-koma-gatake

Despite being the main artery of the Central Alps, not many mountaineers venture south of Mt. Utsugi-dake. However, there are a series of attractive peaks here, namely from Mt. Minami-koma-gatake to Sengairei and Mt. Kosumo-yama. When Kyuya Fukada was selecting his 100 most famous mountains, he is said to have struggled to the very end between Mt. Utsugi-dake and Mt. Minami-koma-gake (elevation 2,841 meters, one of Japan’s 200 famous peaks), and Mt. Minami-koma-gatake makes an imposing figure that is by no means inferior to Mt. Utsugi-dake. The uniquely shaped peak, Sengai-rei (elevation 2,734 meters) with its veritable forest of granite boulders, rivals Mt. Houken-dake as one of the most difficult peaks in the Central Alps. To the south, cross 100 peaks to arrive at Mt. Kosumo-yama (elevation 2,641 meters, one of Japan’s 300 famous peaks), whose name literally means to “cross 100 peaks.” The summit of this mountain is gentle and feminine. This traverse is dynamic, and the scenery is breathtaking offering a wealth of alpine flora and fauna, and giving you an experience that will leave no doubt in your mind that you are truly in the Japan Alps. The approach is arduous and therefore most of the climbers here have a wealth of experience, but their numbers are few allowing a leisurely and quiet climbing journey.
(Photo of Mt. Minami-koma-gatake from Sengai-rei)