Mt. Ontake

A 3,067 meter active volcano straddling the border between Nagano Prefecture and Gifu Prefecture. The westernmost mountain in Japan over 3,000 meters, the mountain is notable for its large, trapezoidal base. There are five trailheads leading up the mountain on different sides; during the climbing season, the Otaki trail is the only one which can be driven on, and visitors can use it to drive up to the Tanohara area 2,190 meters above sea level. A ropeway connects to the Kurosawa trailhead and this trail also has many mountain huts, making it relatively easy to climb. There are many leisure facilities nearby such as a ski resort and hot spring bathhouses, as well as Shinto shrines and other mystical sites, ensuring that even those not interested in mountain climbing will find many interesting things to do in the area.