Areas / Central Honshu
Tanigawadake 谷川岳
Serious alpine terrain just over an hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen — heavy snow, steep faces and a formidable mountaineering reputation.
- Prefecture
- Gunma
- Season
- Dec – May
- Level
- Expert
- Nearest airport
- Tokyo Haneda (HND) / Narita (NRT)
- By rail
- Jomo-Kogen station (Joetsu Shinkansen, about 70 min from Tokyo), then bus
Ropeway accessSteep alpineCouloirsSpring touring
Tanigawadake sits on the main ridge of Honshu. On one side is the snowy Sea of Japan side, on the other the drier Pacific side. That position gives it heavy snowfall and violent weather. The mountain is famous in Japan for its climbing accidents, and Gunma Prefecture has an ordinance that requires climbing plans for its most dangerous zones.
For expert skiers it offers steep, committing terrain that you can reach as a day trip from Tokyo. The ropeway at Tenjindaira gives access to the upper slopes. Spring, when the snowpack consolidates, is a popular time for the bigger lines.
Why a guide: this is expert terrain with a serious record. A local guide handles route choice, timing and the legal climbing plan requirements.
Highlights
- The closest serious backcountry to Tokyo
- Ropeway access from the Tenjindaira area
- Steep, committing lines for expert skiers
- Heavy snowfall from the Sea of Japan side
Main hazards
- Steep avalanche terrain and large cornices
- Rapidly changing weather on the ridge dividing the Pacific and Sea of Japan sides
- A long history of mountaineering fatalities
- Climbing plans are required for certain zones under Gunma Prefecture's ordinance
Conditions change daily. Check the latest avalanche and weather information, carry beacon, probe and shovel, and ski with a qualified guide if you don't know the area. See our safety guide.
Where to stay
Ski Tanigawadake with a certified local guide
Tell us your dates, group and ability. We match you with a certified guide who knows the terrain and today's snow, and send you a quote. Requesting is free and there's no obligation to book.
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