Tanigawadake is one of the “Hyakumeizan” or “100 famous peaks” of Japan on the border of Gunma and Niigata prefectures. It’s located near Naeba and Yuzawa which are two famous ski resorts. This mountain offers a middle ground experience that’s doable and accessible for standard climbers while having some challenging sections. It sits at a comfortable elevation of 1,963 meters and is wonderful to visit during autumn.
Access
Tanigawadake is possible to complete as a long day trip from Tokyo. There are two options: fast and expensive, or cheap and slow.
- Fast and expensive: From Tokyo station take the Joetsu shinkansen to Jomokogen station. From Jomokogen station you can catch a bus that will take you directly to Tanigawadake ropeway as its final stop. Click here to see the bus timetable from Jomokogen to Tanigawadake ropeway.
- Slow and cheap: Take the Shonan-Shinjuku line to Takasaki station in Gunma. At Takasaki station switch to the Joetsu line and take the local train to Doai station and walk north from here to Tanigawadake ropeway.
The Climb
Once you get off the ropeway head right to start the hike. The first part of the hike has you walking through a forest that will open up into a valley and is relatively flat. Tanigawadake will face you directly across this open valley. The next part of the hike will take you above the tree line on the south-west ridgeline of the mountain.
The climb along the ridge will become steeper so make sure you’re well prepared with water. After a tough climb you’ll reach the mountain hut which acts as a good break point. From the mountain hut, climb a little further to reach the summit and enjoy the view!
