Home > Tourist attractions > Mt. Ontake
Ontake Panorama Ground is located at an altitude of 1,700 meters. It offers an all-weather, 400-meter track with six lanes, and 500-meter woodchip running trail. It is the first and fully-equipped high altitude training facility in Japan.
Hida Ontake Kogen Highland Training Area is registered as one of the two high attitude training sites for national teams in Japan by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. This recreation center is one of the training facilities.
The starting point for Zaimokudaki Waterfall trail is located on a slope on the way to the Panorama Ground from the Recreation Center. Please follow the blue flags when you walk on a Hida-Osaka waterfall walking trail. Some parts of Zaimokudaki Waterfall trail are very steep so this trail is only suitable for fit walkers. When you arrive at the dynamic Zaimokudaki Waterfall (23 meters high), you will be refreshed by a rain of mist!
This one-kilometer trail stretches through a sub-alpine primeval forest. It has three starting points: near the junction of the streets to the Recreation Center and to Nigorigo Onsan town, in front of the Cottage Hyute Mori-no-Nakama, and near the starting point of the climbing trail to Mt. Ontake. Please park at a town-operated parking lot nearby if you come by car.
Hinotaki is a splendid and dynamic straight waterfall with a height of 20 meters. The trail stretches 80 meters through the trees starting next to the Cottage Hyute Mori-no-Nakama and finishing at the observatory. *Note: No parking lots are available at the observatory. Please park a town-operated parking lot nearby.
Shiraitonotaki Falls, literally meaning “a waterfall of white threads”, is located at Yunotani Gorge where the springs of NigorigoOnsen burst forth. You can get a distant view from the street.
Sennindaki, with a height of 30 meters, is said to have been a training place for practitioners of Ontake-kyo (a Shinto sect) long ago. Walk 500 meters from the starting point of the climbing trail of Mt. Ontake, then turn left towards Sennindaki, and walk along the trail for a few minutes.
The facility offers only outdoor baths. You can enjoy onsen after climbing or during your day trip.Sample Spring and its Components (exerpt)
Spring name: Mixed spring water of Ei-sengen (source name)
(Mixed spring water of town-owned G spring, NigorigoOnsen, and town-owned spring)
Contains sodium, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, and sulfateBenefits:neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, motor paralysis, stiff joint, contusion, twisted joint, chronic digestive diseases, hemorrhoid, excessive sensitivity to cold, recovery from illness, soothing effect, health enhancement, cut, burn, chronic skin diseases and arteriosclerosis
Features
The water temperature of the spring source is high at more than 50 degrees celsius. Onsen water keeps running directly from the spring source without being heated or mixed with other water. Water at the spring source is colorless and transparent but it turns yellowish brown and cloudy once it is exposed to air.
Event
2025.05.27
A spectacular view right now! Mt. Ontake Dragon Eye
Mt. Ontake on the Gifu Prefecture side, the mysterious and spectacular “Dragon Eye” is now at its best!
*The images were taken in the past.
The “Dragon Eye” is a mysterious phenomenon that can be seen at the Sannoike Pond located near the summit of Mt. Ontake at an altitude of approximately 2,700 meters. It is named after the bright cobalt blue color of the melting snow and the white snow remaining in the center, which looks like the eyes of a dragon. It is an artwork woven by nature that can only be seen at this time of the year.
■ Current viewing time
As of May 27, several climbers’ records confirm that the dragon eye on Mt. Ontake is at its best!
If you miss this opportunity, please come early as the snow will melt.
■ Access and time required (approximate)
When aiming for the dragon eye from the Gifu Prefecture side, climbing from the Nigorigo-Onsen trailhead is the most common route.
The approximate time required to reach the trailhead: From the Nigorigo-Onsen trailhead, it takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach the Nozoki Iwa refuge hut, which is located just before the 8th station. From there, it takes longer to reach the Gonoike Hut and then the Sannoike Pond. In total, it should take about 4 hours one way (depending on your fitness and pace).
We recommend staying at Nigorigo Onsen or Ontake Nigorigo High Altitude Training Center to make the climb easier. Please contact each facility directly for details.
Accommodation information for the Hida-Osaka area
https://hidaosaka-kanko.com/accommodations_e/
Ontake Nigorigo High Altitude Training Center
https://nigorigo.jp/english/
We welcome not only athletes but also general guests.
■ About parking
There is a parking lot for climbers (about 40 cars) at the Nigorigo Onsen trailhead, but it is very crowded during the peak season. The parking lot is very crowded during the peak season, especially on weekends and holidays, when the lot is likely to be full even early in the morning.
■ Prohibition of Roadside Parking
**Please do not park on the street**
Parking on the street in areas other than parking spaces is not only a nuisance to other climbers and local residents, but is also very dangerous and obstructs traffic. Please be sure to use the designated parking spaces.
If the parking lot is full, please consider using the Nigorigo Onsen municipal parking lot (approx. 70 cars) located a short distance away (approx. 20-minute walk to the trailhead).
Please note the following precautions for hikers:
Climbing gear: Be sure to wear shoes and clothing suitable for hiking.
Slippery surfaces: Be careful of lingering snow and slush.
Check the trail: Check the regulation information in advance.
Protecting nature: Always take trash home with you and respect nature.
Take care of your health: Plan accordingly and have the courage to turn back if you feel unwell.
Information Gathering: Check the latest weather forecast and climbing information.
Cell phone reception: Connection may be difficult near the summit.
Submit a mountaineering report: Gifu Prefecture requires that you submit a mountaineering report. Please be sure to submit it.
Gifu Prefecture Mountain Distress Prevention Ordinance
https://www.pref.gifu.lg.jp/page/11975.html
Currently, Mt. Ontake is at Eruption Alert Level 1 (note that it is an active volcano). A warning zone has been established around the crater, but it is still possible to enter the Sannoike area where Dragon Eye is located. However, please be aware that it is an active volcano, check the latest information, and enjoy climbing the mountain safely.
[Mt. Ontake] Eruption Alert Level lowered to 1│Tourist facilities are operating as usual.
2025.05.20
[Mt. Ontake] Eruption Alert Level lowered to 1│Tourist facilities are operating as usual.
The eruption warning level of Mt. Ontake has been lowered to 1 (noting that it is an active volcano)
▼ Tuesday, May 20, 2025 11:00 AM Meteorological Agency
<Eruption Alert Level lowered to 1 at Mount Ontake>
https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/press/2505/20a/20250520_ontakesan.html
Volcanic earthquakes are decreasing and volcanic activity is decreasing. Volcanic activity is decreasing. Please check the latest information and take safety measures.
Nigorigo Onsen and other tourist related facilities in the Hida-Osaka area are far from the crater and are outside the restricted area.
We are open for business as usual.
Please come and visit with your friends!
■ Disaster Prevention Warning, etc.
Because of the need to take safety measures against sudden eruptions, Gero City has established a restricted area within 500 meters of the crater that is off-limits to visitors in accordance with Article 63, Paragraph 1 of the Basic Act on Disaster Countermeasures.
Unauthorized entry into the restricted area is punishable by law, so please do not enter the area.
Ontake is an active volcano. Please understand that an active volcano may erupt and produce cinders and volcanic gases, so please be very careful.
■ Activity of Mt. Ontake
Crater Alert (Eruption Alert Level 1, note that it is an active volcano)
https://www.data.jma.go.jp/vois/data/report/activity_info/312.html
■Gero City Crisis Management Division announcement
About the restricted area on Mt. Ontake (reduced to Level 1)
https://www.city.gero.lg.jp/soshiki/6/32856.html
Hida-Osaka tourist Association
13-1 Daisei Co., Ltd. KURUMAYA18BAN,
Osaka-cho Osakamachi, Gero-shi, Gifu, 509-3104, Japan
TEL: 0576-62-2570
FAX: 0576-62-2577
Open 9:00AM～4:00PM
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