Called "Suwa Fuji" for its graceful conical shape, this is the highest peak of North Yatsugatake at 2,531 m. From its broad rocky summit you take in a sweeping view of the Yatsugatake range and the Northern Alps. The shortest route, from the Seventh Station, is the most popular.
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.
From the snowy summit, looking out over the white ridgeline of South Yatsugatake (toward Yokodake and Akadake)
The sweeping view of the Yatsugatake range from the deep-winter summit. A Yatsugatake-blue sky
The summit of Tateshinayama (2,531 m). Standing on the snowy summit under a Yatsugatake-blue skySource: 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.
Editor's note
Mt. Tateshinayama, rising at the northern end of the Yatsugatake range at 2,531 m, is the highest peak of North Yatsugatake. Called "Suwa Fuji" for its graceful conical shape, it is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan. The Hokuto editor has put together records of climbing this same summit twice — in summer (Seventh Station) and in deep winter (Suzuran Pass). In the "Climb records" tab above, you can compare its two faces: the fresh-green summit and the snowy summit under a Yatsugatake-blue sky.
The snow-free walk was in June. From the shortest Seventh Station trailhead, after passing through easy-walking forest and climbing a steep slope strewn with large boulders, you reach the broad rocky summit formed by lava. With nothing in the way, the view stretched all the way to the distant Northern Alps (measured time about 4 hours 25 minutes).
The deep-winter climb was in February. From Suzuran Pass (Menotori-jaya), by way of Kotoku-daira, up to the snowy summit. That day the weather was fine, and from the snow-clad summit the white peaks of the Yatsugatake range extending south spread out under a "Yatsugatake blue" sky (measured time about 5 hours 1 minute).
The broad rocky summit makes it easy to lose your bearings in mist, so take care on days of poor visibility. On the steep boulder climb in the second half, watch for falling rocks and slips. Deep winter is a serious snow climb, requiring crampons, an ice axe, appropriate gear and experience. As an isolated peak the wind is strong, so do not forget warm clothing.
Routes
The shortest route, climbing from the Tateshinayama Seventh Station trailhead up past Tateshina Sanso lodge to the summit. The first half is easy walking through forest; the second half is a steep climb strewn with large boulders, but with little danger. The short distance makes it popular with families too. The editor also climbed this route in the snow-free season.
From Suzuran Pass Enchi (Menotori-jaya) up past Kotoku-daira to the summit. It is a little longer with a bit more elevation gain than the Seventh Station route, but it is a well-trodden path. The editor climbed this route in deep winter and stood on the snowy summit under a fine "Yatsugatake blue" sky.
History & culture
Mt. Tateshinayama, rising at the northern end of the Yatsugatake range at 2,531 m, is the highest peak of North Yatsugatake and one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan. It sits on the border between Chino City and Tateshina Town in Nagano Prefecture.
Its graceful conical shape has earned it the name "Suwa Fuji," and it is a landmark that stands out clearly from the Suwa basin and the Saku plain. The summit is a broad, flat rocky field formed by lava, where the inner shrine (okumiya) of Tateshina Shrine is enshrined.
At its foot spread the Shirakaba highlands and the highland scenery of the Venus Line, and it has long been loved both for sightseeing and for climbing. Besides the shortest Seventh Station route, there are paths from Suzuran Pass (Menotori-jaya) and Okawara Pass, and on a clear day the summit offers a sweeping view stretching south along the Yatsugatake range to the Northern Alps and Mt. Asama.
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