Three foreign tourists were stranded on Mount Okuhotaka in the Northern Alps of Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, resulting in one fatality.
Around 7:00 PM on the 11th, a report was made to the police by an employee of the Hotaka Mountain Lodge, stating they had received a call from a Filipino woman saying, “We were climbing as a group of seven, but three haven’t arrived.”
Mountain rescue teams and others conducted a search and discovered three Filipino nationals, a man and two women, at approximately 5:20 AM on the 12th, about 170 meters south of the lodge.
One of the women was unharmed, but a 53-year-old man was deceased. A 48-year-old man was transported with suspected hypothermia, though he was reportedly able to converse and walk.
According to authorities, the seven individuals were tourists from the Philippines, and the two men who were stranded both had over 20 years of climbing experience.
Mount Okuhotaka
Mount Okuhotaka, also known as Okuhotaka-dake, is the third-highest peak in Japan, located in the Northern Japan Alps. It was first climbed in 1906 by a team led by Japanese mountaineer Kiyohiko Takeda. The mountain is a popular destination for experienced hikers and is part of the scenic Hotaka Mountain Range.
Northern Alps
The Northern Alps, also known as the Hida Mountains, are a majestic mountain range located in central Japan. Formed millions of years ago, these rugged peaks have been a site of spiritual significance, mountain worship, and relatively recent tourism, with the popular Kamikochi valley opening to the public in the early 20th century. Today, the range is a celebrated part of Chubu Sangaku National Park, renowned for its dramatic landscapes and excellent hiking.
Takayama City
Takayama City, located in the mountainous Gifu Prefecture of Japan, is a historic city renowned for its beautifully preserved old town dating back to the Edo Period (1603-1868). It flourished as a wealthy merchant town due to its high-quality timber and skilled carpentry, which were used in construction projects for the Imperial Court and shogunate in Kyoto and Edo. Today, visitors can experience this rich history through its traditional architecture, morning markets, and the renowned biannual Takayama Festival.
Gifu Prefecture
Gifu Prefecture, located in central Japan, is a region rich in natural beauty and traditional crafts, historically known as a crossroads for travel and trade. It is famous for the historic village of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with unique thatched-roof houses, and for its long-standing tradition of cormorant fishing (ukai) on the Nagara River, a practice dating back over 1,300 years. The prefecture was also significant during the Sengoku period (Warring States period), with Gifu Castle serving as a key base for the warlord Oda Nobunaga in the 16th century.
Hotaka Mountain Lodge
Hotaka Mountain Lodge is a historic mountain hut situated in the Northern Japan Alps, near the peak of Mount Hotaka. It was originally constructed in the early 20th century to support the growing popularity of alpine climbing in Japan. The lodge provides essential shelter and provisions for climbers attempting the challenging routes in the area.
