Mt Tekari

Tough and remote South Alps hyakumeizan

Mt Tekari (Japanese: 光岳) is one of the deep, far‑flung hyakumeizan* giants of the South Alps whose remoteness defines the entire experience of climbing it. Everything begins with the long approach to the trailhead, itself tucked far up a forest road that seems to stretch endlessly into the mountains. 

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From the end of the forest road, the climb begins steeply. The initial ascent is a sustained pull through dense forest, the kind of climb that quickly reminds you how large and wild the South Alps truly are. Once you gain the ridge, the terrain opens and the character of Tekari becomes clear. The ridge walk is very long and undulating through patches of creeping pine, rocky steps and occasional clearings that offer glimpses of the vast range around you. You pass the mountain hut along the way, a simple and essential shelter for most hikers tackling this remote peak. Many hikers stay there overnight, both because of the distance and because Tekari is simply too big to manage comfortably in a single day.

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The summit itself is rocky and atmospheric, a rugged crown of boulders that feels shaped by decades of wind and heavy snow. From the hut and the summit area, the views over the South Alps are superb, although until then there is not much to see. The tough climb leads many hyakumeizan hikers to leave it to the end of their challenge.

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For me, Mt. Tekari is tied to a particular memory. I climbed it during the COVID period, when the hut was closed and staying overnight wasn’t an option. That turned the ascent into one of my longest day hikes ever. It was a demanding, exhausting but unforgettable journey through one of the most remote corners of the South Alps.

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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.)