Mt Ho'o

The triple peaked Mt Ho’o (Japanese: 鳳凰三山) rises in the northern part of the South Alps comprising the distinctive trio of Mt Jizō (地蔵岳) with its famous obelisk, the rocky highest point at Mt Kannon (観音岳) and the white granite of Mt Yakushi (薬師岳), each with its own character. Together they form a hyakumeizan* that is one of the most striking ridgelines in the range, a serrated skyline of pale rock that contrasts beautifully with the darker, forested slopes below. From any of the three summits, the views are superb: Mt Fuji (富士山) stands perfectly to the east, and the great mass of the South Alps stretches away in layered ridges to the south and west.

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The approach from Yashajin Pass is long and demanding, beginning with a steady climb through forest before the trail breaks into open, rocky terrain. The mountain huts along the way provide welcome rest points, especially on multiday traverses. As you gain height, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic: weathered rock towers, sharp ridges, and wide alpine vistas that make Ho’o feel both remote and majestic.

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I’ve climbed Mt. Ho’o several times, including over the New Year, when the cold was extreme and the air felt almost crystalline. Winter transforms the peaks into a world of hard light and deep silence, and although the temperatures can be brutal, the views are especially impressive with Fuji rising above a sea of clouds, the South Alps glowing in the morning sun, and the three Ho’o peaks standing stark against the sky.

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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.)