Mount Iizuna, Stratovolcano in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
Mount Iizuna is a stratovolcano that rises to 1,917 meters and forms part of the Iizuna range within Myōkō-Togakushi Renzan National Park. It shares the landscape with other peaks and creates a connected mountain formation.
The mountain was chosen as a competition venue for the 1998 Winter Olympics and later hosted the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Its eastern slopes developed into a ski area afterward.
The South Trail is lined with ancient stone Buddhas and traditional torii gates marking the entrances, showing how the mountain remains connected to mountain ascetic practices today.
Hikers can reach the summit via two main routes: the South Trail from Izuna Trailhead or the West Trail from Togakushi Village, with both routes taking about 2.5 hours. Both paths are clearly marked and accessible for different fitness levels.
Local folklore tells of a mountain spirit named Saburō who supposedly distributed edible sand during lean times. This story reveals how the mountain held meaning for people living nearby.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
