Hotaka-yama (武尊山, 2,158 m) is a stratovolcano in Gunma Prefecture, often called Jōshū-Hotaka (上州武尊山) to distinguish it from the more famous Hotaka-dake of the North Alps. Its highest point, Oki-Hotaka (沖武尊), crowns a ridge of named peaks reached by trails that climb through forest before a chained, rocky crux just below the summit. The name comes from the legend of Yamato Takeru's eastern campaign, and the day-loop from Hotaka Jinja is the classic summer outing.
Why Fukada Chose Hotaka-yama
Kyuya Fukada included Hotaka-yama among his hundred mountains. The kanji 武尊 is notoriously hard to read as "Hotaka" for anyone outside mountain circles. The name ties the peak to the legend of Yamato Takeru no Mikoto and his eastern campaign, a connection made concrete by the statue of Yamato Takeru erected on Mae-Hotaka (前武尊) in 1850.
Fukada's book is not a ranking. The hundred mountains are arranged roughly in geographic order from north to south, so there is no "number" attached to any single peak.
The Mountain
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 2,158 m (7,080 ft), highest point Oki-Hotaka (沖武尊) |
| Prefecture | Gunma |
| Kanji / reading | 武尊山 (Hotaka-yama); alternate name 上州武尊山 (Jōshū-Hotaka) |
| Geology | Stratovolcano formed roughly 1.2–1.0 million years ago; not currently active or monitored for eruption |
| Book order | Roughly north-to-south, not a ranking |
| Typical season | June – October |
Note: 武尊山 (Hotaka-yama, Gunma) is a different mountain from 穂高岳 (Hotaka-dake, North Alps). Different kanji, different location — the alternate name Jōshū-Hotaka exists precisely to keep them apart.
The named peaks along the ridge include Oki-Hotaka (沖武尊, the high point), Kengamine-yama (剣ヶ峰山, also called Nishi-Hotaka), Mae-Hotaka (前武尊), Naka-no-dake (中ノ岳), Ie-no-kushi, and Shishigahana-yama.
The Routes
Hotaka Jinja Loop (summer standard)
Grade: Moderate–Challenging
- Trailhead: Hotaka Jinja (武尊神社)
- Character: Forest trail climbing to the ridge, then on to Kengamine-yama and Oki-Hotaka. The loop includes chained sections and ladders, and the rock just below the summit forms the route's crux.
- Hazard: Chains and rock become slippery after rain or where snow lingers. Treat the crux with care.
Kawaba lift route (winter only)
Grade: Winter mountaineering — crampons required
The Kawaba Ski Area (川場スキー場) gondola gives access to a snow-climbing route during the ski season. This is winter alpine terrain, not a summer hiking shortcut: the official guidance requires crampons, and the round-trip lift fee is 4,500 yen. Do not treat this as the standard way up in the green season.
Getting There
By train and bus: The Shinkansen station for the area is Jomo-Kogen (上毛高原). Numata Station (沼田駅) is on the conventional JR Joetsu Line, not the Shinkansen. From Numata, a Kan-Etsu Kotsu (関越交通) bus runs to Kawaba Ski Area in about 50 minutes. During the ski season a free reservation-required shuttle also operates.
By car: From the Kan-Etsu Expressway, exit at Numata IC; the Kawaba area is roughly 30 minutes further. A rental car gives the most flexibility for reaching the summer trailheads.
Other summer trailheads include Hanasaki-guchi (花咲口), Kami-no-hara (上ノ原), Hodaigi (宝台樹), and Hotaka-bokujō (武尊牧場).
Flora and Wildlife
Asiatic black bears (ツキノワグマ): Present at high density in these Gunma highland forests — this is noted as a high-density bear habitat. Carry a bear bell and make noise on forested sections. (Bear spray is the standard for Hokkaido's brown bears, not for Honshu's black bears.)
Flora: Hotaka-yama is recognised among Japan's notable flowering peaks. Expect alpine and sub-alpine plants along the higher ground in the summer months; check a current flora listing for the species in bloom during your visit.
Views: From the summit, the 360-degree panorama takes in Tanigawa-dake and the Tanigawa range to the west, Shibutsu-san and Hiuchi-ga-take over the Oze area to the north, Nikko Shirane-san to the east, and Akagi-san to the south. On clear days Mt. Fuji shows faintly in the distance.
Seasonal Guide
June – July: The trail opens as the snowpack recedes. Residual snow can persist on shaded sections and around the crux into early summer.
August: Peak hiking season with the most stable conditions.
September – October: Often the best conditions, with autumn colour developing on the lower forest.
Winter: Snow-mountaineering territory via the Kawaba lift — for experienced parties with crampons, not general hikers.
Practical Tips for Foreign Visitors
Mind the crux. The chains, rock, and ladders just below Oki-Hotaka are the defining challenge. Plan to descend the same sections you climbed, and avoid the day after heavy rain or when snow lingers.
Know which "Hotaka" you mean. Both this peak and the North Alps' Hotaka-dake are called "Hotaka." Use the local name Jōshū-Hotaka to avoid booking transport or accommodation for the wrong mountain.
Get the access right. Aim for Jomo-Kogen on the Shinkansen or Numata on the Joetsu Line, then bus or car onward. The lift-served route belongs to the ski season, so do not count on it in summer.
Bears are a real consideration. This is high-density black-bear country; a bell and noise on forested stretches matter here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Hotaka-yama be done as a day hike?
Yes. The classic summer outing is a day loop from Hotaka Jinja, running Hotaka Jinja → Kengamine-yama → Oki-Hotaka (2,158 m) and back.
Can I reach the trailhead without a car?
Partly. The area's Shinkansen station is Jomo-Kogen, and Numata Station sits on the conventional JR Joetsu Line; from Numata a Kan-Etsu Kotsu bus runs to Kawaba Ski Area in about 50 minutes. A rental car gives the most flexibility for reaching the summer trailheads, and the bus and lift access are geared to the ski season rather than green-season hiking.
When is the best time to hike, and when does the snow clear?
Hotaka-yama's typical season runs June to October. The trail opens as the snowpack recedes in June–July, though residual snow can persist on shaded sections and around the crux into early summer. August is the most stable, and September–October often brings the best conditions with autumn colour on the lower forest.
Do I need crampons?
Not for the summer standard route. Crampons are required on the Kawaba lift route, which is winter snow-mountaineering terrain during the ski season — not a green-season shortcut. In early summer, watch for residual snow lingering around the crux.
Are there bears, and what should I carry?
Yes. These Gunma highland forests are a high-density habitat for Asiatic black bears. Carry a bear bell and make noise on forested sections. Bear spray is the standard for Hokkaido's brown bears, not for Honshu's black bears.
How do I avoid confusing this with the other "Hotaka"?
Use the local name Jōshū-Hotaka. Both this Gunma peak (武尊山) and the North Alps' Hotaka-dake (穂高岳) are read "Hotaka," and the alternate name exists precisely to keep them apart when booking transport or accommodation.
This guide is part of the Japan's 100 Famous Mountains: Complete Hyakumeizan Guide series.
