is a mountain in Jōshin'etsu-kōgen National Park with an elevation of , located near Ueda and Suzaka in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.Highlights of Joshin'etsukogen National Park. |accessed Oct 17 2022 It is one of the because of the flowers of Parnassia palustris which bloom in September.花の百名山, 根子岳 (Hana no 100 Meizan, Neko Dake). |accessed Oct 16 2022 Along with Mount Azumaya, Mount Neko is one of the published by The Shinano Mainichi Shimbun.信州ふるさと120山 (Shinshu Hometown 120 Mountains). |accessed Oct 17 2022 The mountain should not be confused with a similarly named Mount Neko (根子岳) in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Mount Neko forms the western peak along the rim of the caldera. This volcano was active 900,000–300,000 years ago. Other peaks on the caldera are Mount Azumaya () to the south, () to the east, and () to the north. Mount Azumaya is one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains.
Mountain Climbing Ascent One of the most frequently used trails begins at Sugadaira Farm (). From there, it is approximately 30 minutes to a birch forest, then one hour through the forest, and another 30 minutes from the tree line to the summit. Descent From the summit, it is approximately 75 minutes to the trailhead.
The total ascent and descent walking distance is .上信越高原国立公園: 根子岳 (Joshin'etsukogen National Park: Mount Neko )|accessed Oct 17 2022 The trail is well-maintained and well-signed, there are no chains or ladders on the trail, and little technical skill is required.Nagano Trail Guide by Grade. |accessed Aug 26 2022 According to the "Nagano Trail Guide by Grade", it is one of the easiest mountains in Nagano Prefecture to climb. There is a public toilet beside the trailhead, and across the road is a small shop, selling ice cream from Sugadaira Farm. Sugadaira Ranch Stand |accessed Oct 16 2022
The mountain forms part of . In winter, it is possible to ride a snowcat to an altitude of , just below the summit, to see "snow monsters" formed from the hard rime phenomenon.Snowcat and Kids |accessed Oct 16 2022 Especially in winter, the summit provides a 360° panoramic view of the Northern Alps; from here, 30 of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains are visible, including Mount Azumaya, Mount Asama, Mount Fuji, Mount Aka, Mount Kita, Mount Hotakadake, Mount Jōnen, Mount Yari, Mount Shirouma, Mount Takatsuma, and Mount Hiuchi.
Yonako Falls is the name for two separate waterfalls: , which originates on Mount Neko; and , which originates on Mount Azumaya.米子大瀑布 (Yonako Waterfall) |accessed Oct 17 2022 Both falls combine to form the Yonako River, a tributary of the Chikuma River, Japan's longest river. Yonako Falls is located in Yonako, Suzaka City, and is listed as one of "Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls" according to the Japanese Ministry of the Environment.中部地方環境事務所: 須坂市の米子大瀑布周辺の登山道整備 (Chubu Regional Environment Office: Maintenance of mountain trails around Yonago Falls in Suzaka City) |accessed Oct 17 2022
Access Car From the Ueda Interchange on the Jōshin-etsu Expressway, it is approximately via Route 144 and then Route 406. From the Suzaka Interchange on the Jōshin-etsu Expressway, it is approximately via Route 403 and then Route 406. Bus From Bus Platform #3 at Ueda Station (Nagano), the runs a bus service to the Sugadaira Highland on the . 上田バス, 菅平高原 (Ueda Bus, Sugadaira kōgen). |accessed Oct 16 2022 This service takes approximately 1 hour and leaves several times a day from Ueda Station. In Sugadaira, the closest bus stop to the trailhead is the .
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See also List of volcanoes in Japan List of mountains in Japan Mount Azumaya
References