Mount Tate

For the peak in the Australian Alps, see Mount Tate (New South Wales).

Mount Tate
立山
Mount Tate and Mikuri Pond
Highest point
Elevation	3,015 m (9,892 ft)
Listing	List of mountains in Japan 100 Famous Japanese Mountains
Naming
English translation	Standing Mountain
Language of name	Japanese
Geography
Mount Tate Location in Japan
Location	Toyama Prefecture, Japan
Parent range	Hida Mountains
Topo map	Geospatial Information Authority 25000:1 剱岳 50000:1 立山
Climbing
First ascent	Saeki no Ariyori ca. 8th century

Mount Tate (立山, Tate-yama, IPA: [tate]) is located in the southeastern area of Toyama Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the tallest peaks in the Hida Mountains at 3,015 m (9,892 ft) and, along with Mount Fuji and Mount Haku, it is one of Japan's "Three Holy Mountains" (三霊山, Sanreizan). The climbing season for Mount Tate is from April until November. It was first climbed by Saeki no Ariyori during Japan's Asuka period. The area was designated the Chūbu-Sangaku National Park on December 4, 1934.

Name

The kanji for the mountain (立山 Tateyama), which is called Tateyama in Japanese, mean "standing 立 or outstanding 顕" and "mountain," respectively. The pronunciation of tate is two syllables similar to tah-tei rather than gate. The Toyama Prefectural Government uses the name Mount Tateyama as an official translation of the Japanese mountain (although it is redundant, "Mount Mount Tate") because it shares its name with the neighboring town of Tateyama. Some English-speaking locals just use the Japanese name Tateyama when referring to the mountain, both variations are used interchangeably.

Geology

The mountain is composed primarily of granite and gneiss. However, located along the ridge and plateau about 2 km (1.2 mi) west of the summit is a small andesite-dacite stratovolcano, confusingly also named Tateyama after its far more famous neighbor. This volcano has an elevation of 2,621 m (8,599 ft), and has had minor historical eruptions, the latest in 1839.

Geography

Location

Tateyama is located in southeastern Toyama Prefecture. At the base of the mountain is the town of Tateyama, which is accessible by train from the prefecture's capital city, Toyama. Public transportation will take climbers and tourists as far as the Murodo Plateau Station at an altitude of 2,450 m (8,038 ft), from where individuals may climb to the peak on foot. There are glaciers only in Japan.

Mountain sights

Located near the peak of the mountain is Oyama Shrine, where climbers can receive a blessing and warm sake from a priest. There is also a rest area where climbers may buy food, drinks and souvenirs.

Located on the Murodo Plateau is a shopping area and onsen bath. The onsen on Tateyama is famously known for its use of sulfur spring water for the bath, leaving a noticeable aroma that can be detected even while ascending the mountain.

On clear days, climbers can see Shōmyō Falls (the tallest waterfall in Japan) across the valley while traveling along the main road from Tateyama Station to the Murodo Plateau.

From April to June, you can enjoy the beautiful snow walls named Yukino-ōtani, which is about 15–20 meters high.There are many charter service from Taipei, Inchon and Thailand during the high season.

Communications

Climbing 3015m high Tateyama is only one day trip. Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is available for personal use and sightseeing buses from Toyama Station are also available for group tourism.

From Toyama to Tateyama Station (Toyama) by Toyama Chihō Railway Tateyama Line, then to Bijodaira Station by Tateyama Cable Car, you can climb up to 2450m high Murodō Station by shuttle bus of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, approximately 3 hours in total. During summer, shuttle buses between Toyama and Murodō are available. 2 hours walk to Tateyama summit takes you to the beautiful sight of Japanese Alps. From the top of the mountain, you can enjoy the view of Mt. Fuji on a fine day. Note that you must wear something to warm your body even in summer and the heavy duty shoes to climb.

If you want to watch the sunrise from the top, you can stay at Ichinokoshi Sanso(mountain lodge), which you can arrive at with 1 hour walk from Murodō.

Nearby mountains

Mount Tate, Mount Bessan and Mount Tsurugi seen from Mount Kashimayari at sunset

Image	Mountain	Elevation	Distance and direction from the Top	Note
	Mt. Tsurugi 剱岳	2,999 m (9,839 ft)	5.3 km (3.3 mi) North	100 Famous Japanese Mountains
	Mt. Bessan 別山	2,880 m (9,449 ft)	2.4 km (1.5 mi) North
	Mt. Tate 立山	3,015 m (9,892 ft)	0 km (0.0 mi)	100 Famous Japanese Mountains the tallest mountain in Toyama Prefecture
	Mt. Ryuō 龍王岳	2,872 m (9,423 ft)	1.7 km (1.1 mi) Southwest
	Mt. Harinoki 針ノ木岳	2,820.60 m (9,254 ft)	7.2 km (4.5 mi) Southeast	200 Famous Japanese Mountains
	Mt. Akaushi 赤牛岳	2,864.23 m (9,397 ft)	12.8 km (8.0 mi) South	200 Famous Japanese Mountains
	Mt. Yakushi 薬師岳	2,926.01 m (9,600 ft)	13.7 km (8.5 mi) Southwest	100 Famous Japanese Mountains

Rivers

The mountain is the source of the following rivers, each of which flows to the Sea of Japan.

• Hayatsuki River
• Tsurugisawa, tributaries of the Kurobe River

Scenery of Mount Tate

Mt. Tate from Higashi-Ichinokoshi	Mt. Tate from Mt. Bessan	Mt. Tate and Mt. Tsurugi from Mt. Jii	Mt. Tate and Mt. Tsurugi from Mt. Asahi

See also

• Chūbu-Sangaku National Park
• Japanese Alps
• List of mountains in Japan
• Three-thousanders (in Japan)
• Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
• Tateyama Sabō Erosion Control Works Service Train