Mt. Tanigawa (谷川岳, Tanigawadake) is a craggy mountain located between Gunma and Niigata prefectures (approx. 180km/110miles NE of Tokyo). It rises 1977m/6486ft above sea level. Winter brings deep snow to Mt. Tanigawa turning into a winter wonderland. In autumn, fall colors are magically beautiful attracting many tourists.
Mt. Tanigawa is among Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains and it’s a popular destination for hikers and climbers. Also, the Tanigawa Ropeway can take you up to 1500m/4921ft for the mountain views and trailhead (Tenjinone route).
Tenjinone Route (天神尾根ルート)
Trail for Tenjinone (Tenjin Saddle) route is in good condition combined with board walk, steps, ladders, ropes/chains assisting gentle/steep rocky route. Hiking poles and gloves can be handy. Mt. Tanigawa has two peaks….Tomanomimi (トマの耳 1963m/6440ft) and Okinomimi (1977m/6486ft). Also, about 100m/330ft beyond Okinomimi there is Fuji-Sengen Shrine Inner Sanctuary (富士浅間神社奥の院). Wildflowers near the summit are beautiful and sweeping views of surrounding mountain ranges along the way are so lush green and spectacular!
Stats:
Distance: 7km RT(4.5 miles)
Elevation gain: 477m(1565ft)
Time: 5hrs
The mountain of death
Mt. Tanigawa is historically known as the mountain of death. Although many trekking routes leading to the summit are relatively safe, there have been many deaths due to rock climbing. Therefore, it is sometimes called “mountain of death”. As of December 2014, since its initial exploration and route-finding in the early 1930s, a total of 805 people have died on Mt. Tanigawa, compared to approximately 200 people who have died on Mt. Everest over a comparable period.