Mount Takatsuma, Mountain peak in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

Mount Takatsuma is a mountain on the border between Nagano and Niigata prefectures, reaching around 2,350 meters with a sharp, pyramidal summit. The upper section of the route runs over steep rocky terrain, where fixed chains are anchored to help hikers move safely.

Long used by mountain ascetics of sects such as Shugendo and Tendai, the peak is one of the sacred sites of the Togakushi range, together with Mount Togakushi and Mount Iizuna. The main trail passes 13 Buddhist statues whose names survive, among them Ichifudo, Gojizo and Shichi Kannon. In October 2001 the Miroku Ridge Trail was opened from Togakushi Campground to Mount Gojizo.

Buddhist stone figures placed along the climbing route mark the path as a spiritual one, a tradition still visible today. Hikers who look carefully will spot these small statues at natural resting points along the way.

The full route takes most of the day, so starting very early in the morning is strongly advised to have enough daylight for the return. The sections with fixed chains near the summit require a steady pace and a good level of fitness.

Both sides of Mount Takatsuma drain to the Sea of Japan, not to the Pacific: the northeast side feeds the Hyōsawa River and then the Seki River through Myōkō and Jōetsu in Niigata, while the south side feeds the Susobana River, which joins the Sai and then the Chikuma, Japan's longest river system, reaching the sea at Niigata city.