| Mount Hotaka | |
| Other Name: | 穂高岳 |
| Elevation M: | 3190 |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Prominence M: | 2307 |
| Map: | Japan |
| Map Size: | 260 |
| Label Position: | none |
| Listing: | 100 Famous Japanese Mountains Ultra |
| Language: | Japanese |
| Pronunciation: | pronounced as /ja/ |
| Location: | Takayama, Gifu Prefecture Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture Japan |
| Range: | Hida Mountains |
| Coordinates: | 36.2892°N 137.6481°W |
| Type: | Pyramidal peak |
| First Ascent: | Gunji Abe (1906) |
| Easiest Route: | Hike |
, also known as Mount Hotakadake, is one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains as coined by the media, reaching a height of 31900NaN0. Mount Hotaka is situated in Japan's Hida Mountains and all its major peaks except Mount Maehotaka, lie on the border between the cities of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, and Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. This mountain is located in Chūbu-Sangaku National Park.[2]
The peaks of Okuhotaka, Karasawa, Kitahotaka, Maehotaka and Nishihotaka are called the Hotaka Mountains. The highest peak in this range, and also the tallest mountain in both Nagano and Gifu prefectures, is Mount Okuhotaka. Mount Hotaka is also referred to as the .
Even though the Hotaka Mountains are often climbed during times of lingering snow, like Golden Week, the following routes are strictly for snow-free periods. When snow has fallen, the area becomes extremely dangerous. Routes may become impassable, so special care is required.
The mountain climbing base at Karasawa lies in a U-shaped cirque dominated by Mount Okuhotaka, Mount Maehotaka and the Tsuri Ridge connecting the two. Because it lies on the northern side of the mountains, snow remains throughout the year.
To the north, beyond a steep descent and ascent at the Daikiretto, the ridge continues across,, ending at Mount Yari. In the south, a ridge stretches from Mount Okuhotaka via Mount Nishihotaka to Mount Yake. The Tsuri Ridge runs from Mount Okuhotaka to Mount Maehotaka, from where a path leads down through a cirque to the bridge Kappabashi in Kamikōchi. Climbing down on the Gifu side, either from the through or taking the Shinhotaka Ropeway from next to Nishihotaka-dake, the road and can be reached in the valley below.
Kamikōchi ― ― ― ― Karasawa Cirque― Mount Okuhotaka
Kamikōchi ― Lake Myōjin ― Tokusawa ― Panorama course (Byōbunoatama) ― Karasawa Cirque― Mount Okuhotaka(Note that in both cases the part from Karasawa to Mount Okuhotaka is actually more at the intermediate level)
Kamikōchi ― Lake Myōjin ― Tokusawa ― Yokoo ― Karasawa Cirque― Mount Kitahotaka
Shinhodaka Onsen ― Shinhotaka Ropeway ― Nishiho Mountain Cottage ― ― Nishihodoku
Kamikōchi ― ― Nishiho Mountain Cottage ― Maruyama ― Nishihodoku
Kamikōchi ― Dakesawa Mountain Hut ― ― Mount Maehotaka ― Mount Okuhotaka
The ascent from the Dakesawa Hut to Kimikodaira, is the steepest in the Japanese Alps. There is no water on this ascent, and if climbing both mountains, the route to Mount Okuhotaka and Mount Maehotaka via Karasawa is more popular.
Mount Yari― ― ― ― ― Mount Kitahotaka ― Mount Karasawa ― Mount Okuhotaka ― ― Mount Aino ― Mount Nishihotaka ― Nishihodoku
There are various alpine huts in the Mount Hotaka area: