Mt. Nishi-hotaka-dake

Mt. Nishi-hotaka-dake is said to have been named by “Masao Udono,” who first traversed the Yari-hotaka range more than 100 years ago, at the end of the Meiji period. He must have been a true explorer of this era, as he also traversed the Mt. Nishi-hotaka-dake – Mt. Oku-hotaka-dake section where the gendarmes are located.

Located in the southwestern part of the hotaka mountain range, it is a part of the hotaka mountain range along with Mt. Mae-hotaka^dake and Mt. Kita-hotaka-dake, but it is the only summit in the mountain range below 3,000 meters. The ropeway makes it relatively easy to approach Nishiho Sanso mountain hut, the base of the mountain, and it would certainly be a good place for beginners to visit Nishiho Sanso mountain hut as their first mountain lodge or to walk to the altitude point on this mountain first as an introduction to the Northern Alps.

However, it is a different world beyond the midway elevation point. This is not a mountain for beginners or novice climbers.
Mt. Nishi-hotaka-dake Peak is the first peak, and the Nishiho elevation point is the 11th peak. The jagged peaks, whether seen from Kamikochi or from the ropeway station, convey the power and severity of the mountain, which is not easily accessible.

The difficult part is downhill from this elevation point, and the route will be challenging, traversing and crossing peaks along the way and ascending and descending heavily for short distances.

Furthermore, Nishiho Sanso mountain hut is the only lodge in the North Alps that is open year-round, making it a good entry point for experiencing the North Alps during the harsh winter season. However, it is not easy to come here as you will have to walk through snow from the ropeway station. Please go out with an experienced person or a guide on top of winter equipment. Mt. Nishi-hotaka is also designated as one of the 100 most beautiful mountains in Japan for its flowers.