The southernmost Hyakumeizan of the Central Alps, a peak that keeps a legend of the sun goddess Amaterasu. From the Misaka Pass side you follow the prefectural-border ridge to a quiet summit surrounded by conifers.
Source: GSI tiles (Geospatial Information Authority of Japan) ／ The route is the editor's measured YAMAP activity track (GPX).Scroll-zoom is enabled after you click the map.
Location & access
Coordinates are the trailhead and summit points from the editor's own GPS track.
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Editor's note
Enasan, at 2,191 m, is one of the Hundred Famous Japanese Mountains, lying solidly at the southernmost end of the Central Alps (Kiso Mountains). The Hokuto editor actually walked the Misaka Pass route along the prefectural-border ridge as an out-and-back day trip, and lays out what you need to decide.
Taking to the ridge from the trailhead on the Misaka Pass side, you gain height while repeating ups and downs. Around the shoulder of Ubanagi a view opens through a gap in the trees, and after the steep climb of wooden steps you reach the summit. The conifer-ringed summit holds the quiet form of the Ena Shrine shrine and an emergency hut, and the view from the summit itself is modest. If you want to enjoy the view, head for the rocks behind the emergency hut. A grand panorama from the Northern Alps to Mt. Fuji is waiting.
The editor's measured time was about 6 hours 31 minutes including breaks (depart 06:17, summit 10:20, descend 12:48). The shortest is the Hirogawara route on the Nagano side, but the editor deliberately chose the Misaka Pass route, blessed with views. Rather than for showiness, this is a mountain for savouring the deep forest and the air of faith at leisure.
Because there are few views, a long walk through forest continues. Allow plenty of time and energy, and keep checking where you are. After reaching the top, do walk out to the viewpoint behind the emergency hut.
Routes
A route that heads for Enasan by following the prefectural-border ridge from the Misaka Pass side. It is a longer trail with repeated ups and downs, and through gaps in the trees you also get views of the Southern Alps and beyond. There are few technical difficulties, but both the distance and the elevation gain are considerable, so it demands stamina. The editor, too, walked this route as an out-and-back day trip.
On the Nagano side, the Hirogawara route is the shortest of the four and the most walked. On the Gifu side there are the Kuroizawa route and the Miyamae route, an old path of faith. You can choose according to your aim, your fitness and your access to the trailhead.
Editor's record
The editor's actual timings on this hike (from the video record). Use them as a guide to course times.
History & culture
Enasan, at 2,191 m, sits at the southernmost end of the Central Alps (Kiso Mountains), a mountain with a broad, solid form. Counted among the Hundred Famous Japanese Mountains (Hyakumeizan), it straddles Achi Village in Nagano Prefecture and Nakatsugawa City in Gifu Prefecture.
The mountain's name is said to come from a legend that the placenta (ena) of the sun goddess Amaterasu was buried here, and in old times it was also written as “Enasan (胞山).” From its shape, like an overturned boat, it was once also called “Funafuseyama.” Southeast of the summit is enshrined the inner sanctuary of Ena Shrine, and around it are scattered six auxiliary shrines, carrying an ancient faith into the present.
The summit is surrounded by conifer forest such as Yezo spruce and northern Japanese hemlock, so the view from the summit itself is limited. In return, if you stand on the rocks behind the emergency hut, a grand view opens up all the way to the Northern Alps, Mt. Ontake, the Central Alps, the Southern Alps and even Mt. Fuji.
Photos
All photos were taken by the editor on the actual hike. Tap to enlarge.
Starting to climb through the morning forest (the early part of the Misaka Pass route)
The shoulder of Ubanagi. Looking at the Southern Alps through a gap in the trees
A steep climb of continuous wooden steps and ladders (elevation about 1,650 m)
A stone shrine enshrined on the ridge (an auxiliary shrine of Ena Shrine)
The Enasan summit emergency hut (on the ridge at about 2,190 m)
The inner sanctuary of Ena Shrine, southeast of the summit (a stone shrine)
The Enasan summit sign, surrounded by conifer forest
At the summit of Enasan (elevation 2,191 m)FAQ
