Mount Norikura | |
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乗鞍岳 | |
Mount Norikura in spring from Mount Kisokoma in Kiso Mountains |
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Elevation | 3,025.64 m (9,927 ft) [1] |
Listing | • List of mountains in Japan • List of volcanoes in Japan • 100 Famous Japanese Mountains |
Translation | Riding Saddle Peak |
Location | |
Mount Norikura
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Location | Gifu Prefecture Nagano Prefecture Japan |
Range | Hida Mountains |
Coordinates | [2] |
Topo map | Geographical Survey Institute, 25000:1 乗鞍岳, 50000:1 上高地 |
Geology | |
Type | Stratovolcano (active) |
Climbing | |
First ascent | Enkū in 1680's[3] |
Mount Norikura (乗鞍岳 Norikura-dake ) is a potentially active volcano located on the borders of Gifu and Nagano prefectures in Japan. It is part of the Hida Mountains and is listed among the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains[4] and the New 100 Famous Japanese Mountains.[5]
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The mountain is located on the borders of Gifu and Nagano prefectures in Chūbu-Sangaku National Park.[6] The Norikura Plateau borders the mountain on its northern side in Nagano Prefecture. The mountain, whose name means "riding saddle," received its name because its shape looks like a horse saddle. This is the Jananese mountain of 3000-meter class that can be most easily climbed.
After Mount Fuji and Mount Ontake, Mount Norikura is the third tallest volcano in Japan. It is a stratovolcano and hardened lava flows can still be seen near the peak. There are eight plains and 12 crater lakes on the mountain that were formed by volcanic activity. The Norikura Skyline is a road through the mountain, but it has to be closed for much of the year because of heavy snow fall. Even in the summer, some snow remains on the northeastern face of the mountain.
Mount Norikura has a variety of plant and animal life on its slopes. In addition to the Alpine Accentor and martins, the Rock Ptarmigan (one of Japan's natural monuments) also makes its home on the mountain.
There are various alpine plants and other flowers, including rhododendrons, lilies, and komakusa.
Rock Ptarmigan | Alpine Accentor | lilies | komakusa |
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Mount Kengamine (剣ヶ峰 Kengamine), one peak on the mountain, was formed in two eruptions 9,600 and 9,200 years ago. Mount Ebisu (恵比寿岳 Ebisu-dake), another peak, was formed during an eruption 2,000 years ago. Though the volcano has lost some of its eruptive power, volcanic gas is still escaping through the Yū River (湯川 Yū-gawa) and there are many spa areas in the surrounding area.
It is on the main ridge of the Hida Mountains and is in the most south part of it.
Image | Mountain | Elevation | Distance from the Top |
Note |
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Mt. Hotaka 穂高岳 |
3,190 m (10,466 ft) | 22.0 km (13.7 mi) | • tallest mountain in Hida Mountains • 100 Famous |
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Mt. Yake 焼岳 |
2,455.37 m (8,056 ft) | 13.7 km (8.5 mi) | • 100 Famous | |
Mt. Norikura 乗鞍岳 |
3,025.64 m (9,927 ft)[1] | 0 km (0.0 mi) | • Kengamine is tallest point in Mount Norikura • 100 Famous |
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Mount Ontake 御嶽山 |
3,067 m (10,062 ft) | 24.6 km (15.3 mi) | • 100 Famous |
The each following River of the source flows to the Sea of Japan or Ise Bay.[11]
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