What is the highest summit in Japan’s Northern Alps?

Mount Hotaka is the highest summit in Japan’s Northern Alps.

Mount Hotaka’s highest point, Okuhotaka-dake, reaches 3,190 metres (10,466 feet). The mountain group is part of the Hida Mountains, commonly called the Northern Alps, in central Honshu. Its ridges and cliffs lie around the borders of Nagano and Gifu prefectures.

The Northern Alps are one of the three traditional Japanese Alpine groups. The other two are the Central Alps, or Kiso Mountains, and the Southern Alps, or Akaishi Mountains. Mount Hotaka’s rocky ridgeline includes several peaks and is popular with experienced hikers and climbers.

Mount Yari, another famous Northern Alps summit, has a distinctive spear-like shape but is lower at 3,180 metres. Mount Fuji is higher than Mount Hotaka, but it is a standalone volcano rather than a summit of the Northern Alps. The name “Hotaka” therefore refers to a mountain group as well as its highest peak, depending on context.