Mount Azumaya


Mount Azumaya is one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains. The peak lies on the border of Nagano Prefecture and Gunma Prefecture. There exist alternative spellings of the mountain's name, like: 吾妻山 and 吾嬬山 which is read as "Agatsuma-yama". In the village Tsumagoi, the mountain is spelled 吾妻山.
The mountain should not be confused with Mount Azumaya of which there are two, one in Nagano Prefecture and the other in Saitama Prefecture. Though the reading is the same, the name written in Kanji differs from the mountain in this article.

Outline

Mount Azumaya was formed between 900,000 and 300,000 years ago by andesite lava flowing out of a Stratovolcano. An eruption 340,000 years ago formed a caldera of circa 3 kilometers in diameter. Through erosion the mountain has arrived at its present form with several peaks. Azumaya Volcano is the general term for the following peaks lying roughly on a circle: Mount Neko, Mount Azumaya, Mount Urakura, Mount Kimyō.
The famous Sugadaira Kōgen ski area is found on the mountain's southwest side. Also on the Gunma-side there exists a ski area. In addition, north of the mountain lies Yonakodaibakufu which is one of the Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls.

Main ascent routes

The mountain is well connected with several hiking trails: