Mt Okusangai

Mt Okusangai (Japanese: 奥三界岳) stands deep within the Atera mountain range on the border of Gifu and Nagano Prefectures. Although it is recognized as one of Japan's sanbyakumeizan* it remains surprisingly little known. Reaching the mountain is an adventure in itself. A long forest road winds through the remote valleys of the Kawakami River, passing waterfalls, dense woodland and the occasional sign of forestry work before finally arriving at the trailhead. 

 

What makes Okusangai special is its sense of isolation. Unlike many popular peaks in the Japanese Alps, visitors I spent an entire day on the mountain seeing few, if any, other hikers. From the Visitors Centre at a famous waterfall at Yumori gorge, my hike followed old forest roads and abandoned tracks and even fording a river below a closed-off dilipidated bridge, giving the feeling of entering a forgotten corner of Japan where nature still dominates.

 

The mountain is surrounded by rich forests, streams, crumbling cliffs and waterfalls. Near the summit are areas of old-growth trees and small wetlands, while views from open ridges extend toward Mt Ontake and the Central Alps. The route passes through a variety of landscapes, from cool stream valleys to steep forested paths, broad ridges covered in bamboo grass and precariously crumbling cliffs where rockfalls are an ever-present danger. 

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The appeal of Mt. Okusangai lies not in dramatic cliffs or famous scenery, but in its remoteness. It is a mountain that must be earned through a long drive, a long forest road and a long walk. At the end of that journey, hikers are rewarded with something increasingly rare in modern Japan: silence, solitude and the feeling of standing far away from the busy world.

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* 300 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.)