Mount Tanigawa Ancient Trail Hike in Japan
Explore Mount Tanigawa in Gunma, Japan, on a 2-day guided hike led by expert guide Naoko. Follow an ancient Shugendo trail to the summit, visit sacred shrines, and spend the night at Kata-no-koya mountain hut in the Tanigawa Mountain Range.
Private
Tanigawa
2 Days
May - Oct
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Follow a historic Shugendo trail and visit sacred mountain shrines.
- Explore a quieter side of Mount Tanigawa
- Stay in a traditional mountain hut at Kata-no-koya
Description
Discover Mount Tanigawa in Gunma Prefecture on a 2-day guided hike.
Starting from Fuji Sengen Shrine in Tanigawa Onsen, follow an ancient trail once used by Shugendo practitioners, climb to the summit of Mount Tanigawa, visit sacred sites along the way, and spend the night in a mountain hut high in the Tanigawa Mountain Range.
Along the way, visit the Okunoin shrine and spend the night at Kata-no-koya mountain hut, surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the Tanigawa mountain range. Breakfast and dinner are included and a sleeping bag and sleeping mat are provided at the mountain hut.
This two-day hike is also a journey through the history of Japanese mountain worship, following in the footsteps of those who once visited the village shrine before making their way into the sacred mountains.
Over the two days, the total elevation gain is 1,618 m and the elevation loss is 867 m, with a total distance of 10 km.
This experience can also be adapted into a day trip or a shorter, easier hike.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss the possibilities.
Price includes
- Guiding fee
Price details
- Personal insurance is included.
- Please note that the ropeway fee (¥3,000) and mountain hut fee (¥10,000) per person are not included in the tour price and must be paid separately. The mountain hut fee must be paid in cash. These fees are subject to change.
Itinerary
Day 1: Fuji Sengen Shrine to Mount Tanigawa Summit
Meet at the meeting spot where pickup can be arranged. Transfer to Fuji Sengen Shrine in Tanigawa Onsen and begin the hike along the ancient trail of Mount Tanigawa. Reach the summit of Mount Tanigawa, visit the Okunoin shrine, and continue to Kata-no-koya mountain hut for an overnight stay.
Day 2: Descend to Tenjindaira and Doai
Enjoy breakfast at the mountain hut before descending from Mount Tanigawa. Continue down to Tenjindaira Ropeway Station. From Tenjindaira, take the ropeway back down to Doai.
Details
Accommodation
Overnight accommodation is provided at Kata-no-koya Mountain Hut on Mount Tanigawa, including dinner and breakfast. A sleeping bag and sleeping mat are also provided at the hut.
If you need accommodation before or after the trip, your guide can also recommend suitable options in the Minakami and Tanigawa area upon request.
More info
We can meet at Minakami Station, Jomo-Kogen Station, or Michi-no-Eki Mizukikokan. For those arriving by car, please meet at Michi-no-Eki Mizukikokan, where I will pick you up and drive you to the trailhead at Fuji Sengen Shrine in Tanigawa Onsen.
Equipment you will need to bring
Water bottle
Backpack
Sunglasses
- Backpack suitable for a 2-day hike
- Water bottle or hydration system
- Lunch and snacks
- Hiking shoes or boots
- Comfortable, quick-drying clothing
- Warm layers — it can be cold in the mountains even in summer
- Rainwear (jacket and trousers)
- Hat or cap
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Headlamp
- Small towel and personal toiletries
- Sleeping bag liner (recommended for the mountain hut)
- Gloves for rocky sections (recommended)
About the guide
Naoko
5.0
(6)
Trekking Guide
Languages
English | Japanese
Certificates
JMGA
What people are saying about this trip
David
Simply fantastic. Great communication before and during the hike. Very familiar with the route and provided consistent guidance to ensure a good pace and maintained safety. Highly recommended.
Sylvain
An amazing guide and an amazing person, i will come back for sure !
Mark
Akira san, my guide was very knowledgeable about the area surrounding Mt Tanigawa. He made sure I was safe at all times and very.
JING-SHIN
The weather was not the best, but Naoko intelligent planning and incredible knowledge with the mountains made the trip the best it could be. The time and resources spent was well worth the limited time in Japan! Thank you so much for the experience!
I had an amazing snowshoeing in my hometown Minakami. Naoko was friendly and of course cared about safety. It was my first snowshoe tour, and I definitely wanted to go again. One last thing. The chai she served me in the snowy field was so great
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