Mt Hotaka

Sometimes known as Mt Joshu-Hotaka to distinguish from the Hotaka range in central Japan, Mt Hotaka (Japanese: 武尊山) in Gunma is a volcanic hyakumeizan* that looks deceptively close from the Kawaba Ski Resort, yet demands real respect once you step beyond the lifts and into its winter world. Although it can be climbed for most of the year, Hotaka is best known as a winter peak in an area that receives massive snowfall and is sometimes closed due to avalanche risk. The mountain’s broad upper slopes collect snow in dangerous quantities, and conditions can shift quickly, turning a straightforward hike into something far more serious.

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From the ski resort, hikers traverse a narrow rocky outcrop called Kengamine, the most dramatic part of the route. It’s a knife‑edge ridge with huge drops on both sides, requiring caution even in good weather and genuinely dangerous in high winds. Once you descend from Kengamine, the trail climbs steadily toward the summit, rising through open terrain where the snow can pile up so deeply that progress becomes exhausting. In winter, full alpine gear is essential; in summer, the heat can be brutal, making the climb surprisingly tough even without snow.

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Despite these challenges, Mt Hotaka is a fantastic hike. The views from the upper slopes stretch across Gunma’s interior mountains and eastward toward Oze, giving a sense of the vastness of the border ranges. Each visit to this mountain has reminded me how quickly the mountain can turn fierce with winds battering the ridge, deep snow underfoot and the summit feeling wonderfully remote. Hotaka is a mountain that rewards preparation and respect, offering some of the finest winter scenery in the region.

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* 100 famous mountains of Japan

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(All information here is based on personal observations and experiences. Check official sources before planning or starting any hikes.)