| Mount Neko | |
| Other Name: | 根子岳 |
| Elevation M: | 2207 |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Prominence M: | 568 |
| Map: | Japan |
| Map Size: | 250 |
| Label Position: | left |
| Listing: | 100 Flower Mountains in Japan |
| Translation: | root mountain |
| Language: | Japanese |
| Location: | Nagano Prefecture, Chūbu region, Honshū, Japan |
| Range: | Mount Azumaya |
| Coordinates: | 36.5492°N 138.3953°W |
| Type: | Stratovolcano |
| Easiest Route: | Hike |
is a mountain in Jōshin'etsu-kōgen National Park with an elevation of, located near Ueda and Suzaka in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.[2] It is one of the because of the flowers of Parnassia palustris which bloom in September.[3] Along with Mount Azumaya, Mount Neko is one of the published by The Shinano Mainichi Shimbun.[4] The mountain should not be confused with a similarly named Mount Neko (根子岳) in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Mount Neko forms the western peak along the rim of the caldera. This volcano was active 900,000–300,000 years ago. Other peaks on the caldera are Mount Azumaya to the south, to the east, and to the north. Mount Azumaya is one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains.
The total ascent and descent walking distance is .[5] The trail is well-maintained and well-signed, there are no chains or ladders on the trail, and little technical skill is required.[6] According to the "Nagano Trail Guide by Grade", it is one of the easiest mountains in Nagano Prefecture to climb.[6] There is a public toilet beside the trailhead, and across the road is a small shop, selling ice cream from Sugadaira Farm.[7]
The mountain forms part of . In winter, it is possible to ride a snowcat to an altitude of, just below the summit, to see "snow monsters" formed from the hard rime phenomenon.[8] Especially in winter, the summit provides a 360° panoramic view of the Northern Alps; from here, 30 of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains are visible,[8] [5] including Mount Azumaya, Mount Asama, Mount Fuji, Mount Aka, Mount Kita, Mount Hotakadake, Mount Jōnen, Mount Yari, Mount Shirouma, Mount Takatsuma, and Mount Hiuchi.
is the name for two separate waterfalls:, which originates on Mount Neko; and, which originates on Mount Azumaya.[9] Both falls combine to form the Yonako River, a tributary of the Chikuma River, Japan's longest river. Yonako Falls is located in Yonako, Suzaka City, and is listed as one of "Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls" according to the Japanese Ministry of the Environment.[10]