Mount Hanare, Lava dome in Karuizawa, Japan

Mount Hanare is a lava dome, a side volcano of Mount Asama, in the centre of Karuizawa, with a relative height of about 200 metres. Its summit is comparatively flat and the body looks like a truncated cone from some directions, which earned it the nickname "table mountain" among foreign summer visitors. The lower slopes have been developed as a villa area.

Mount Hanare is a lava dome, a side volcano of Mount Asama. About 22,050 years ago, the dome's rise triggered the Kumoba pyroclastic flow, which burned the southern Karuizawa area. The lower slopes were later developed as a villa district.

The mountain's flat top earned it the nickname "table mountain" among foreign summer visitors to Karuizawa. Emperor Naruhito, known as a mountain lover, first climbed it at age five, led by the hand of his father Akihito. The foot of the mountain has been developed as a villa area.

From Karuizawa or Naka-Karuizawa station the trailhead is about 10 minutes by car, or a 25-minute walk from the Seibu Kanko bus stop in front of Tobu Elementary School. The climb gains roughly 200 m of height on a gentle path and takes about an hour. An observation deck with telescopes stands on the flat summit.

Emperor Naruhito, known as a mountain lover, climbed Mount Hanare at age five, led by his father Akihito; it was the first mountain of his life. The flat-topped lava dome also earned the nickname "table mountain" among foreign summer visitors to Karuizawa.