Winter climbing on Mount Tanigawa

Winter climbing on Mount Tanigawa. A 1-day hiking and mountaineering trip at the border of Gunma and Niigata prefectures on Honshu (Japan), together with Hiroko, local JMGA certified mountain guide.

Tanigawa

+1 Day

Apr, May

Description

Mount Tanigawa (1,977m) is a rocky rugged mountain in the top 100 famous mountains in Japan.

It is not a mountain for novices. It sits in a location influenced by weather systems of both the Pacific ocean and the sea of Japan, and it often results in extreme weathers.

I have travelled and climbed mountains around the world but Tanigawadake remains the mountain I love and climb the most, and would like to share the experience with you!

For this programme, you can learn basic winter mountaineering skills as well.

You can access it in about 100 minutes from central Tokyo.
Despite it’s 2,000m height, because of its location and weather conditions, it offers a package of activities that a 3,000m+ mountains would. For example, backcountry skiing, rock climbing, alpinism, or trekking, but with much better access and approach!
Tanigawadake is buried in deep powdery snow a lot of the times. Tenjindaira ski resort close by can be open until beginning of May!
There are a few variation in routes, from casual hiking trails with gondola access, to more technical routes for the experienced with proper gears.
It is one of the top 3 big wall rock climbing meccas of Japan, along with Mt Tsurugi and Mt Hodaka in the Northern Japanese Alps.
You can enjoy an abundance of flora in the summer!

It takes one day to ascend it, around 5 hours, and I offer this winter climbing trip in April and May.

Please get in touch with me if you plan to come in the area of Gunma or Niigata. It will be my pleasure to guide you up there and spend a beautiful day up in the mountains with you.

Price includes

Guiding fee

Details

More info

You need to pay for your own return ropeway cost of JPY 2,060

DURATION 5 hours

EQUIPMENT

Avalanche gears (beacon, probe, shovel)
Crampons
Waterproof and warm mountaineering / trekking boots
Winter climbing clothing
Mountain food

Please contact if you need to rent any of the equipment.
In case I'm busy on the dates you request this trip, a JMGA mountain guide colleague will be able to guide you instead.

Meeting point

7:30am at a lodge in Minakami where you can stay before and/or after the ascent.

FAQs

What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?

We understand that finding the perfect place to stay is an essential part of your adventure experience. To help you with this, we’ve curated a list of three highly recommended hotels that offer comfort, convenience, and a touch of local charm. These accommodations are well-suited for adventurers looking to relax and rejuvenate after an exciting day of exploration

Hoshinoya Karuizawa

See rooms

Karuizawa

See rooms

Japan Le Grand Karuizawa Hotel & Resort

See rooms

Japan The Prince Karuizawa

Japan

Karuizawa

Karuizawa

About the guide

Hiroko

4.5

(12)

Mountain Guide

I am a JMGA mountain guide based in Minakami in Gumma prefecture in Japan, home to Mount Tanigawa in the Tanigawa Mountain Range. It is one of the top 100 famous mountains in Japan and is my favourite mountain full of potentials in rock climbing, mountaineering, backcountry skiing and trekking. I also run a lodging service there for the convenience of clients, which I started in response to the requests by my clients in 2011.

My specialty ranges from climbing / mountaineering, trekking (hiking and snow shoeing), Sawanobori (climbing up through waterfalls), backcountry skiing / ski touring, pack rafting and canyoning.

Having been a member of Exploration Club whilst at University in Kyoto, my first guiding certification was in river rafting, where my passion lay at the time, and my main guiding activities now are mostly in the mountains.
With “explore deeper and have fun” as mottos, I put together outdoor adventure itineraries for each season of the year, so that more people can feel and enjoy the power and kindness of the nature.

I would love to share the unique, beautiful and exploratory experience you can get in Minakami with you, let it be in the mountains or in the waters!

I have the following certificates: JMGA Climbing Guide Stage Level 2, Oze Nature Guide, Oze Climbing Guide and WMA Wilderness First Responder.

When I'm unavailable to guide, my trusted colleagues with JMGA certifications will be able to guide you!

Languages

Japanese | French | English

Certificates

JMGA

Request more information

What people are saying about this trip

Li-hsin

It was my first winter mountaineering experience, and I had a wonderful time. Hiroko is great guide. She is professional, knowledgable, and very patient. Also, her love for Tanigawadake and the Minakami area is both inspiring and contagious. It made me want to come back and experience the area in a different season. My only complaint is that our email communication was a little slow. Overall I highly recommend this tour.

Arnold

A good climb although weather wasn't good and couldn't see much at the summit.

DILLON

Excellent guide for a very dangerous mountain! In Hiroko's hands she guided me across challenging terrain. I highly recommend this winter hike as she will teach you the basics of winter mountaineering. The mountain is quite steep. For beginner mountaineers, this is the perfect trial ground. Hiroko was polite friendly and extremely helpful. She dropped me off at an onsen after the hike and then dropped me off at the train station.

Jonathan

Hiro was fantastic from start to finish. She introduced me to winter techniques and was brilliant company all the way to the peak. She is a true pro. It was an epic day on Tanigawa that will live long in the memory!