14th Aug 1997: Mt Ontake in Nagano Prefecture

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Mount Ontake, rising to an elevation of 3,067 meters, is a majestic standalone peak straddling Kiso District in Nagano Prefecture and neighboring Gifu Prefecture. Revered as one of Japan’s foremost sacred mountains, it is known for its spiritual significance and striking natural beauty. The summit area comprises several peaks, including the prominent Kengamine, while the mountain’s slopes are adorned with dense forests and cascading waterfalls. It also serves as a vital source for the Kiso River system.

Ontake has long been a center of mountain worship, with its opening to ascetic practice traditionally dated to the year 702. During the Edo period, the Kurosawa and Otaki routes were established, allowing ordinary people to undertake pilgrimages to the summit. Even today, the sight of pilgrims clad in white robes and carrying ritual staffs ascending the summer trails remains a vivid expression of enduring faith. At the summit stands the inner sanctuary of Ontake Shrine, while its lower slopes are dotted with subsidiary shrines. The mountain also serves as a spiritual hub for sectarian Shinto groups such as the Ontake-kyo, drawing worshippers from across Japan for prayer and ascetic training.

In September 2014, Mount Ontake suddenly erupted, resulting in a tragic disaster that claimed the lives of many climbers. This event led to a renewed awareness of the mountain’s status as an active volcano, and access to the area around the crater remains restricted to this day.

The photographs presented here were taken on August 14, 1997, during a climb to witness the sunrise from the summit—well before the eruption occurred. In light of the lives lost in the disaster, I offer my deepest condolences with heartfelt respect.

Mount Ontake is not merely a tourist destination; it is a place where climbing, faith, nature, and memory converge. As a “mountain of prayer,” it continues to stand quietly, etched deeply into the hearts of those who have walked its sacred paths.

Nikon F2 Photomic AS / Ai Nikkor 50mm F1.4S / Kodak Gold 100











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