Yarigatake 3180m in the off-season is a difficult snow hike with lots of elevation gain on the way up. With good weather you’ll have...

Tengudake 2640m from Honzawa Onsen is a relatively easy and stunning winter hike. The ridge to the peak has a bit of exposure and is steep, but overall this is a good hike to practice your crampons and axe skills. Honzawa is also famous for being Japan's highest outdoor onsen, and especially in winter, it's amazing to have a bath surrounded by snow. The hut is open year-round. ⏲︎ Time: 9-10h ✎ Kanji: 天狗岳 ⚲   Location: Nagano ↔ Distance: 17km ✮ Difficulty: Intermediate ᨒ

Kisokomagatake 2,956m is an intermediate winter hike and an easy summer hike. The ropeway significantly reduces the amount of elevation gain in both seasons, making the ascent much more accessible. It’s a great option if you want to reach high altitude and enjoy expansive views without spending hours climbing through forest. The mountain is also well suited for practising with crampons and an ice axe. However, avalanche risk can be high in winter, so conditions should be chec