All About Mountain Day in Japan and Must-visit Mountains

Almost three quarters of Japan’s terrain is mountainous, and the country has a long history of spiritual practices associated with its mountains and volcanoes. It should be no surprise that Mountain Day was formally established as a public holiday in 2014 after decades of growing cultural and civic enthusiasm for the country’s many majestic peaks.

Known as Yama no Hi in Japanese, Mountain Day is celebrated annually on August 11 (except when the date falls on a Sunday, in which case it’s shifted to August 12). As a relatively new holiday, there are not many formalized practices associated with it yet. However, Mountain Day is an opportune time for anyone to appreciate or pay respects to this magnificent topography in their own special way.

Check out our overview of Japan’s most well-known peaks below, along with some of the best places to stay when you want to explore trails, summits, and other natural scenery.

Unquestionably the most famous mountain in Japan, Mount Fuji soars to a height of 3,776 meters and is the tallest peak in the country. It’s known as one of Japan’s Three Holy Mountains and has become a veritable symbol of the Japanese national spirit, immortalized in paintings, woodblock prints, photographs, and other visual media.

Mount Fuji is divided into 10 stations from foot to summit, and several trails of varying difficulty levels begin on different sides of the massive stratovolcano. The start of the popular (and beginner-friendly) Yoshida Trail is accessible via bus from the scenic Lake Kawaguchi area. Consider staying here when venturing out to Fuji.

Where to Stay

Mount Ontake, straddling Nagano and Gifu prefectures, is Japan's 14th highest mountain and second highest volcano (after Mount Fuji), rising to 3,067 meters. It is considered a sacred mountain in the Shugendo faith, a syncretic religion of ascetic practices revolving around mountain worship.

The ancient Ontake Kodo trail is a pilgrimage that lets you follow in the footsteps of centuries of Shugendo practitioners. The traditional starting point is located just around 800 meters from JR Kiso-Fukushima Station in Nagano. Rest overnight in the town of Kiso and enjoy the local food and hospitality before an invigorating day on the slopes of Ontake.

Another one of Japan’s Three Holy Mountains, Mount Tate (alternatively Tateyama) is located in southeastern Toyama Prefecture and has a height of 3,015 meters. Striking landscapes — such as the “blood pond” of Chinoike and Jigokudani (literally “Hell Valley”) — have given the mountain a unique allure over the centuries. A local folk religion centered on Mount Tate even became popular in the 19th century.

Today, Mount Tate is also known as the site of the Kurobe Dam, a postwar infrastructure project that took millions of workers to build. The Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route is a 37-kilometer sightseeing route that allows visitors to experience the majesty of nature by cable car, trolleybus, and ropeway. Mountain resorts in the town of Tateyama are excellent places to spend the night and fully appreciate the natural environment.

Last but not least, the final of the Three Holy Mountains is Mount Haku (2,702 meters), a dormant stratovolcano at the border of Gifu and Ishikawa prefectures. At the foot of the mountain is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go, a culturally significant group of mountain villages with distinctive architecture.

Mount Haku has been an important site of the Shugendo faith since the Buddhist priest Taicho climbed it in 717 CE. It’s also known for its alpine flora and the biodiverse mammals, birds, and amphibians that make their homes on and around the mountain.