Mount Kita

Overview

Mount Kita is a peak of 3,193 metres in Minami-Alps, Yamanashi Prefecture, and the second highest mountain in Japan after Mount Fuji. It is the highest non-volcanic mountain in the country and stands in the northern part of the Akaishi Mountains, or Southern Alps. Known as the Leader of the Southern Alps, its entire massif lies within Yamanashi Prefecture and borders no other prefecture.

Highlights

• ●At 3,193 metres, the second highest mountain in Japan after Mount Fuji
• ●The highest non-volcanic mountain in the country
• ●The rock wall on the eastern slope known as the Kita-dake Buttress
• ●Part of the Three Mountains of Shirane, together with Ainodake and Notoridake

History

Mount Kita is selected among the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, the New 100 Famous Flower Mountains, and the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamanashi. Together with Ainodake, another of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, and Notoridake, one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains, it forms the Three Mountains of Shirane. The entire mountain is composed of Paleozoic sedimentary rock, and the Noro River, a tributary of the Hayakawa, has its source here.

Map

35.6743, 138.2387 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Enter the mountain from the foothills on the Minami-Alps side and check the route
2. 2Gain elevation while following the valley of the Noro River basin
3. 3Take in the view from a point overlooking the eastern rock wall known as the Kita-dake Buttress
4. 4Look out over the Three Mountains of Shirane from the summit at 3,193 metres

Did you know?

💡 Mount Kita is the highest non-volcanic mountain in Japan.

Nearby spots