Mount Ontake, Sacred volcano in Nagano Prefecture, Japan
Ontake is an active andesite volcano rising 3067 meters (10,062 feet) between two prefectures in the Japanese Alps. Five crater lakes sit scattered across its forested slopes, surrounded by conifer trees and volcanic rock.
Since the 8th century, believers have considered this summit sacred and built shrines and lodgings for pilgrims. The sudden eruption in September 2014 caught hikers off guard and killed 63 people, making it Japan's deadliest volcanic event since 1945.
The name means "royal mountain," and wooden shrines near the trails mark sacred spots where pilgrims traditionally stop to pray or meditate. Each shrine represents a stage in the ascent as practiced by mountain worshippers who still visit annually.
Several routes lead from different villages to the summit, with most hikers ascending between July and September. Mountain huts offer basic overnight stays, though some sections remain monitored or closed following the eruption.
Ni no Ike, a crater lake near the top, sits at 2905 meters (9531 feet) and ranks as Japan's highest mountain lake. The water remains frozen most of the year and thaws completely only in late summer.
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