Mt. Yarigatake

At 3,180 meters, Mt. Yarigatake is the fifth highest peak in Japan, named for its spear-shaped summit. The priest Banryu made the first recorded climb in 1828, spending over a month near the top in spiritual practice. British mining engineer William Gowland reached the summit in 1878, the first person from outside Japan to do so, and later coined the term Japanese Alps. The most popular approach runs from Kamikochi highland valley. Alpine flowers bloom along the ridgelines in summer, and the endangered raicho ptarmigan nests on the upper slopes. Family-run mountain lodges near the peak offer meals and accommodation and must be booked in advance.