NAGANO MOUNTAINS
Mt Azumaya
Elevation
2,354 m
Nagano and
Gunma prefectures
Difficulty
6-8 hours
Time
Davos Bokujo trailhead
Azumaya Kogen trailhead
A mountain for all seasons
Mt. Azumaya (Japanese: 四阿山), one of the hyakumeizan* rising above Sugadaira near Ueda, is a mountain that reveals a different personality in every season. Its broad ridges, open meadows, and volcanic contours make it a rewarding climb whether approached in summer from the Davos trailhead, which is part of a working dairy farm, or in winter from the old Azumaya Kōgen Hotel, now defunct but still serving as a landmark for cold‑season hikers. Many people combine the Davos route with nearby Mt. Neko in a long loop, but for I particularly enjoy the solitude of a winter ascent.
Climbing Azumaya in winter is a full, demanding day. Snowshoes are often essential, as the Sugadaira highlands can accumulate significant amounts of snow. The cold is intense in what is one of Nagano Prefecture’s coldest regions, and the wind sweeps across the plateau with a sharpness that makes you feel the mountain’s altitude even before you reach the summit. Yet the rewards are exceptional. From the top, the North Alps rise in a jagged white wall to the west, while to the north the mountains of Gunma stretch out in long, rolling waves. The highlight for me, however, is the closeup view of Mt Asama and its range of mountains.
In the green season, Azumaya becomes a completely different mountain. The meadows soften, the forests thicken, and the volcanic terrain shows its gentler side. The climb from the Davos trailhead feels passes grazing fields and open slopes before rising into more rugged ground. Summer brings flowers and wide views while autumn brings crisp air and quiet trails.
I’ve climbed Mt. Azumaya many times in all seasons, and it never feels the same twice. Sometimes it’s a bright, breezy plateau; sometimes a deep, snowy wilderness; sometimes a long, meditative ridge walk. That variability is part of its charm. Azumaya is a mountain that invites return visits, each one offering a new perspective on the highlands of eastern Nagano and the vast ranges beyond.
* Japan's 100 famous mountains
(All information here is based on personal observations and experiences. Check official sources before planning or starting any hikes.)