Mt Ogura

Mt Ogura (Japanese: 御座山) is a remote nihyakumeizan* peak in eastern Nagano. It's heavily forested and pleasantly removed from the busier hiking areas of the prefecture. It can be climbed from both the north and the south from the villages of Kita-Aiki and Minami-Aiki, with each route winding through long stretches of woodland before the trails finally converge near the summit. 

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The climb is long and steep, rising steadily through dense forest where the air stays cool even in midsummer. The trail has some narrow points but there are no particular dangers or exposed traverses but the remoteness is unmistakable. You walk for hours beneath tall trees, hearing little more than wind and birds, and the sense of being deep in the mountains. It’s the kind of hike where you rarely meet other people, and the solitude becomes part of the experience. There are a number of trailheads but a couple of them appear to have fallen into disuse. I found the easiest approach to be the long course from the campsite at Choja-no-mori.

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The summit itself is rocky and jagged, and features massive drops from the cliff edge that fall sharply into the valley below. The viewpoint is spectacular, but it demands care. The rock falls away suddenly, and the openness of the cliff contrasts sharply with the enclosed forest you’ve climbed through. On clear days, the views stretch across to Mt Asama (浅間山), Yatsugatake (八ヶ岳) and other ranges, a panorama earned through the long ascent.

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* 200 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.)