Located on the border of Nagano and Gifu prefectures, Mt. Ontake is Japan’s second-highest volcano (3,067 m (10,062 ft)). It’s also one of its most sacred peaks, and practitioners of various traditions have been ascending its Ontake Kodo—or Ontake Pilgrimage Trail—since ancient times.
This guided walking tour will let you encounter Mt. Ontake in the spirit of its pilgrims, with visits to some of the mountain’s most venerated sites. It’s a unique, way off the beaten track part of Japan, great for those who want to encounter a side of the country rarely experienced by visitors, where the deeply spiritual and a gorgeous natural environment combine. It’s also a great alternative to the Nakasendo in the nearby Kiso Valley.
Highlights
- Visit Satomiya Jinja, a cliffside forest shrine with ancient meditation caves
- Explore ritual waterfalls used by mountain ascetics
- Encounter Japan’s nature-based spiritual traditions
- Optional: experience takigyo (traditional waterfall meditation) with a local teacher
Where: Otaki Village, Nagano Prefecture
Duration: Typically 4 to 6 hours
Start and Finish Times: According to your itinerary. Usually a mid-morning start
Distance: 6 to 12 km (3.7 to 7.5 miles; depending on if backtracking is necessary)
Difficulty: Moderate (some steep sections and unimproved trails)
Elevation Gain: Start: 402 m (1,319 ft)
Season: April to early December, depending on conditions
Price: ¥55,000 per tour for up to six people
Getting There: A 40-minute bus ride from Kiso-Fukushima, which is easily reached by train: 3.5 hr from Tokyo, 3 hr from Osaka, 2.5 hr from Kyoto, and 40 min from Matsumoto
Overview
The tour starts at Satomiya Shrine in tiny Otaki Village, the all-important first stop for those ascending the mountain. We then walk the Ontake Waterfall Trail portion of the pilgrimage, with ample time spent at Kiyotaki and Shintaki Falls, where to this day the faithful purify themselves before climbing. For those interested, periods of mindful walking along the way will help you experience the mountain as practitioners have for centuries, providing a taste of what drew them here in first place.
As featured in the most recent Lonely Planet Japan guide, visit our sister site www.otakiexperience.com to learn more about Mt. Ontake, the Ontake Pilgrimage Trail, and Otaki Village. Then return here to reserve your tour.
All tours are private, exclusively for your group. Inquire today to secure your dates.
Click to view gallery
All tours are private, exclusively for your group. Inquire today to secure your dates.
Experience takigyo (traditional waterfall meditation) at Kiyotaki Falls with a local teacher
Takigyo is an add-on, available only as part of the Ontake Pilgrimage Trail walking tour.
Add-on Price: ¥13,000 per group + ¥3,000 per participant.
Read full details