[Northern Alps Scenic Views] Mt. Jonen, Mt. Otensho, and Mt. Chogatake | A Grand Sky Circuit Walking the Panorama Ginza and Omote Ginza

There is a ridgeline in the Northern Alps known as the "Ginza."

The Panorama Ginza that continues from Mt. Jonen to Mt. Otensho.
And the Omote Ginza that continues toward Mt. Tsubakuro.

As the name suggests, it is a special ridgeline where the scenery continues throughout the entire walk.

This time, I walked a long circuit, the Mimata Circuit, which combines those two.

Walking while gazing at Mt. Yari and the Hotaka mountain range,
enjoying the sunset and sunrise,
and finally looking out over the grand panorama of Hotaka from Mt. Chogatake.

I will record the scenery I encountered during those two days along with photos.

📍 Photography Overview

Mountain Area: Northern Alps
Mountain Names: Mt. Jonen, Mt. Otensho, Mt. Nishi, Mt. Akaiwa, Mt. Akasawa, Mt. Chogatake
Date: August 30-31, 2025
Weather: Sunny

Course:
Mimata Trailhead → Mt. Jonen → Mt. Otensho → Nishi-dake Hut (stay) → Mt. Akasawa → Mt. Chogatake → Mimata Trailhead

📸 Photos and Comments

Morning scenery seen from Mae-Jonen

Once you pass the tree line,
Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps appear in the distance.

The fatigue from climbing the long forest zone vanished in an instant.

Mt. Yari and the Hotaka mountain range viewed from Mt. Jonen

Scenery that represents the Northern Alps.

Mt. Yari is right in front of you.
The Hotaka mountain range spreads out to its left and right.

I fully understand why so many people come to Mt. Jonen to see this view.

Walking the Panorama Ginza

A ridgeline that continues on and on as you walk.

Look to the left,
look to the right, and it's the Northern Alps.

It was a place where I truly understood why it's called the "Ginza".

Looking back at Mt. Jonen

When I walked a little further and looked back,
there was the massive Mt. Jonen.

The path I had walked had become a single line.

The Ura-Ginza seen from Mt. Otensho

Spreading out before my eyes is the world of the Ura-Ginza.

Mt. Noguchigoro, Mt. Suisho, and Mt. Washiba.

I find myself captivated by the ridgeline that continues forever.

An encounter with a ptarmigan

A ptarmigan I met on the ridgeline.

It's not just the scenery,
but encounters like this that are one of the joys of mountain hiking.

Mt. Yari seen from Mt. Akaiwa

The steep climb to Mt. Akaiwa was tough.

Even so, when I stood on the summit,
there was the massive Mt. Yari right in front of me.

This view alone is reward enough.

Evening at Nishidake Hut

Setting up the tent, and
slowly gazing at the evening ridgeline.

The quiet time after finishing the walk is pleasant.

Mt. Yari at sunset

As the sun dips lower,
Mt. Yari becomes dyed in red.

It was a special time that can only be seen because I am in the mountains.

Omote Ginza at sunrise

The morning of the second day.

Beyond the quiet ridgeline,
the sun rises slowly.

The ridgeline leading to Mt. Yari

Time spent walking while facing Mt. Yari.

No matter how many times I stop, I never tire of it.

The Hotaka Mountain Range from Mt. Chogatake

The reason for Mt. Chogatake's popularity is this view.

It is one of the Northern Alps' premier observation points,
offering a panoramic view from the Hotaka mountain range to Mt. Yari.

A grand panorama centered on Mt. Yari

The ridgeline I walked.
The valley I will return through.

It was a place where I could overlook it all.

🌟 Comments

What left an impression on me during this hike was
“two days of continuously gazing at Mt. Yari.”

Mt. Yari seen from Mt. Jonen.
Mt. Yari seen from Mt. Akaiwa.
Mt. Yari at sunset.
And Mt. Yari seen from Mt. Chogatake.

Even the same mountain
shows a completely different expression depending on where you stand and the time of day.

While walking the ridgeline known as the Northern Alps' "Ginza,"
I felt I could understand the meaning of that name a little better.

🔗 Click here for the hiking record

▶ [Northern Alps] Mimata Circuit Loop (Long Version) 2 Days 1 Night | A Great Loop Course Walking the Panorama Ginza & Omote Ginza

Related Articles

[Northern Alps Scenic Views] Panorama Ginza | A 2-Day 1-Night Traverse Continuously Gazing at the Yari-Hotaka Peaks

[Northern Alps Scenic Views] Mt. Yari and the Hotaka Mountain Range as seen from Mt. Jonen, a Winter Panorama

[Northern Alps Scenic Views] Ura Ginza: Mt. Noguchigoro to Mt. Minamimasago | A 49km Loop Connecting Quiet Ridgelines and Deep Landscapes

Conclusion

When you are out walking in the mountains,
sometimes you can encounter scenery like this.

Onward to the next ridgeline.

Click here for previous scenic records
▶ Magazine "Scenery Encountered on the Ridges | Records of Mountain Views"

If you like these views,
I would appreciate it if you could like and follow.

Focusing mainly on the mountains of Shizuoka,
I am gradually publishing records of the ridgelines.