“Jōnen-Bō.” That’s what they called the shape of the remaining snow. It helped decide when to farm. We’re standing near what locals call Jōnen-Bō or Jōnen-dake. It is also known as Mount Jōnen. This mountain is one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains.
Mount Jōnen stands tall at 2857 meters. That is about 9373 feet. It resides within the Hida Mountains. The mountain is in Nagano Prefecture. It is also part of Chūbu-Sangaku National Park.
The mountain’s shape resembles a triangle. You can see it clearly from the Azumi Basin. Mount Jōnen is primarily composed of Granite. This gives it a unique appearance.
Back in the day, you could spot nine butterfly species. They fluttered around its high peaks. Colias erate butterflies are still common today. The mountain is very important. Its melting snow even dictated farming schedules.
Walter Weston was the first non-Japanese climber to reach the top. That was in the summer of 1894. Later, Usui Kojima summited in the summer of 1906. The Jōnen Hut opened in 1919. Kyūya Fukada even stayed there in 1922.
Tragedy struck in 1931. A climbing accident and rescue mission went wrong. In 1934, this area became part of Chūbu-Sangaku National Park. A postage stamp featured Jōnen Kasa with Matsumoto Castle in 1993.
NHK featured Mount Jōnen in a TV program in 2007. It was part of their excellent mountain series. In 2010, they highlighted Mount Jōnen and its high mountain butterflies.
There are three main routes to climb Mount Jōnen. These are the Ichino River route. Then there is the Mount Mae-Jōnen route. Finally, there is the Traverses Route of Jōnen Mountains.
Several mountain huts surround Mount Jōnen. The Jōnen Hut sits on Jōnen Pass. It is one of Japan’s oldest mountain huts.
Mount Jōnen is part of the Jōnen Mountains. It is southeast of the Hida Mountains. Nearby peaks include Mount Mae-Jōnen. Also nearby are Mount Yari and Mount Hotaka.
Several rivers originate from Mount Jōnen. These rivers eventually join the Shinano River. They flow into the Sea of Japan. These include the Ichinomata Valley. There is also the Jōnen River.
Mount Jōnen offers stunning views. You can see it from Mount Yari. It looks beautiful with snow from Mount Chō. In autumn, Mount Yari turns red.
Standing here, you can appreciate Mount Jōnen’s significance. It is not just a mountain. It is a symbol of Japan’s natural beauty. It also showcases its rich history. It is a place where nature and culture intertwine.