GUNMA & NIIGATA MOUNTAINS
Mt Hafu & Mt Donabe
Elevation
Mt Hafu
1,996 m
Mt Donabe
2,000 m
Gunma and
Nagano prefectures
Difficulty
4-6 hours
Time
Kenashi Toge trailhead
Remote peaks on the prefectural border
Mt Hafu (Japanese: 破風岳) sits on the rugged border of Nagano and Gunma. It's a quiet, grassy peak that sits above the Kenashi pass at the end of a narrow mountain road. It forms part of a beautiful multi‑peak ridge that includes Mt Donabe (土鍋山) and Mt. Omeshi (御飯岳), a flowing, atmospheric highland traverse.
Topographically, Hafu is shaped by the volcanic region, the harsh regional weather including heavy snowfall and multiple collapses. The ridge connecting Donabe, Omeshi and Hafu is long and undulating, offering a rhythm of small ascents and descents alternating deep forest and open grassland. From the summit, hikers can enjoy views of nearby Nikko-Shirane (日光白根山) and Shiga Kogen.
The hike typically starts at the car park at the exposed Kenashi pass. The route climbs steadily through the grassland the first summit, Mt. Hafu. You can then head further south towards Mt Donabe. Once that's done, you can head back to he car park, and from there head north to Mt. Omeshi past the defunct ropeway. It's a little-known corner of Gunma that is overshadowed by the more famous mountains of Shiga Kogen. I thoroughly enjoyed the solitude, views and atmosphere of this stunning hike.
(All information here is based on personal observations and experiences. Check official sources before planning or starting any hikes.)