Mt. Korenge
Mt. Korenge (Korenge-san, also known as Dainichi-dake), towering at 2,766 meters, stands as Niigata Prefecture's highest peak. It straddles the border between Itoigawa City in Niigata and Otari Village in Nagano, nestled along a ridge that extends from Mt. Hakuba in the northern part of the Northern Alps. The mountain's eastern ridge winds past volcanic lakes such as Hakuba Oike and Kazafuki Oike before descending to the Hime River.
Part of the Renge group centered around Mt. Hakuba (Dairenge), Mt. Korenge has been a place of worship for centuries. A statue of Dainichi Nyorai, erected in 1801, graces its summit. Geologically, the mountain rests on a foundation of Paleozoic serpentinite and Hida metamorphic rocks, overlaid by Cretaceous granite and more recent volcanic rocks. The eastern side of the Mikuni border area features majestic cliffs and ridges made of quartz porphyry and rhyolite. The eastern ridge is characterized by steep, crumbling rock walls on the Shinshu side and gentler slopes on the Echigo side.
For hikers, there are two main trails: one starting from the Tsugaike Nature Park, passing Mt. Norikura, and another from Koren Onsen, both converging on the expansive grounds of Hakuba. The journey from the trailhead to the summit takes about four hours. The area is rich in diverse flora, with various wet and dry plant species thriving, offering nature lovers a lush tapestry of biodiversity to explore.
*Before heading out on a hike, make sure to stay updated with the latest information on trails and other important details.