Ontake is a 3,067-meter-high volcano, the second highest independent mountain in Japan after Mt.
Ontake can be enjoyed throughout the four seasons for hiking, mountain climbing, and winter sports.
It is selected as one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan, one of the 100 most famous mountains in New Japan, and one of the 100 most famous mountains for flowers.
It has a characteristic trapezoidal shape with a summit of about 3.5 km from north to south and a large base that spans Kiso-machi and Otaki-mura in Kiso County, Nagano Prefecture, and Gero City and Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture.
Ontake has five crater lakes, named Ichino-ike to Go-no-ike. The emerald-colored Nino-ike and San-no-ike are the two lakes that are always filled with water.
Known since ancient times as a mountain of mountain worship, this sacred mountain has attracted the faith of the common people along with Mt. Ontake Shrine Okusha (inner shrine) is located at the highest point of the mountain, Kenkagamine, and is dedicated to the deity Okonoki-no-mikoto and the deity Ebisu. In the Kamakura period (1185-1333), the area around Ontake was a training site for ascetic practitioners.
Ontake Shrine
There are two shrines, the Satomiya at Otaki-muchi and the Wakamiya at Kurosawamuchi. The Okusha at Otaki-muchi of Kiso Ontake Shrine is located at the summit of Otaki, and the Okusha at Kurosawamuchi of Kiso Ontake Shrine is located at Kenga-mine on the summit of the mountain. The deities are Kunitokotachi-no-mikoto, Okonoki-no-mikoto, and Shohikonoko-no-mikoto, who are called Ontake-taijin (Great Deities of Ontake).
Animals on Mt.
Ontake is inhabited by the grouse, which is designated as a special natural treasure in Japan, as well as the raven and the peacock butterfly in the alpine zone along the mountain trail near the summit.
Weasels, wild boars, raccoons, black bears, Japanese macaques, and Hondo foxes inhabit the mountain area, and birds such as pigeons, Japanese crested ibis, pheasants, rufous-cheeked warblers, and buzzards are also abundant.
Flora of Mt. Ontake
Ontake is still volcanically active and the flora on the south side is poor, while on the north side, there is abundant flora, such as colonies of Komakusa.
It is said that many medicinal plants are distributed here, and that during the Edo period (1603-1867), the study of herbalism was actively conducted and 100 kinds of sacred medicines from Ontake were collected and infused to be used as herbal medicine.
Mountain Climbing
There are mountain trails from various directions. The trailhead that can be reached by road is the highest point on Ontake (Tanohara, 2,160 meters above sea level), and is the shortest route to the summit of the mountain, Kenganbō. The views along the way are excellent, and the course from the trailhead to the top of Otaki can be seen from top to bottom at all times.