Mount Togakushi () is located in the former village of Togakushi, now located within the city of Nagano, Nagano, Japan. The mountain is 1904 meters (6247 ft) high. Mount Togakushi has traditionally been included in the Five Mountains of Northern Shinshu () that includes Mount Myà Âkà  (), Mount Kurohime (), Mount Iizuna () and Mount Madarao ().ãÂÂ
Mount Togakushi is now also part of Myà Âkà Â-Togakushi Renzan National Park. It is one of the 200 most famous mountains in Japan (æ¥拫ç¾åÂÂå±±), and one of the 100 most famous mountains in Nagano (ä¿¡å·Âç¾åÂÂå±±).
At the base of Mount Togakushi are located five Shintoist shrines belonging to Togakushi Shrine: Okusha Shrine (奥社), and just below it Kuzuryà «sha Shrine (ä¹Âé Âé¾Â社), sit on the mountain; the remaining three shrines, Chà «sha Shrine (ä¸Â社), Hà Âkà Âsha Shrine (å®Âå Â社), and Hinomikosha Shrine (ç«ä¹Â御åÂÂ社) are located further away in Togakushi village. Okusha, in particular, is known for its cedar-lined avenue to the shrine. Historically, Mount Togakushi, like Mount Iizuna nearby, has been a sacred site for mountain-based religious sects, generally called Shugendo.
The name Togakushi literally means hiding door. The origin of the name relates to Japanese mythology. According to the mythology, the sun goddess Amaterasu had hid herself in a cave in Kyushu, which brought darkness to the world. Other deities lured her to open the cave door, when one of the grabbed the stone door and threw it away (to Nagano) to prevent Amaterasu from hiding again.
Togakushi Ski Field (æ¸é ã¹ãÂÂã¼場) is located on Menou Mountain (ã¡ãÂÂã¦山) which faces Mount Togakushi. Togakushi Campground (æ¸é ãÂÂã£ã³ãÂÂå ´) and Togakushi Farm (æ¸é ç§場) are located at the base of Mount Togakushi. All three are owned by Togakushi Company founded by local residents to promote the natural beauty of Mount Togakushi and surrounding area.
Although hiking Mount Togakushi can be done in 7âÂÂ8 hours, the trail is technically challenging. The rating for the mountain in the Nagano Trail Guide by Grade includes the following: There are some difficult rocky ridges, unstable scree slopes. Some sections have ladders or chains and thickets to push your way through.... Steep ups and downs where you need to use your hands.... Many dangerous sections with possibility of falling and sliding down.
One popular route begins at the Togakushi Shrine parking lot and finishes at Togakushi Campground. Togakushi Shrine parking lot â Zuishinmon (15 minutes) â Okusha Shrine (1340m) (15 minutes) â Hyakkennagaya (1763m) (60 minutes) â Ant Tower/Sword Blade (èÂȋ®å¡Â渡ãÂȌ£ã®åÂÂ渡) (1842m) (60 minutes) â Happounirami (1900m) (20 minutes) â Togakushi summit (1904) (30 minutes) â Kuzuryuuyama (1883m) (75 minutes) â Ichifudo Emergency Hut (1747m) (75 minutes) â Ippoi Spring (1620m) (30 minutes) â Obiwa (1596m) (10 minutes) â Gate (1270m) (60 minutes) â Togakushi Campground (1175m) (40 minutes).
From Ichifudo, it is possible to hike to Gojizo Mountain and then Mount Takatsuma, one of 100 Famous Japanese Mountains.
Togakushi was the location of the Togakure school of ninja from the 12th century. Today, there is a museum, the Togakure Ninpo Museum (æ¸é æµÂå¿Âæ³Âè³ÂæÂÂ館, Togakure-ryà « Ninpà  Shiryà Âkan), and children's theme park, Kids Ninja Village (ãÂÂãÂÂãÂÂÃ¥ÂÂå¿Âè æÂÂ, Chibiko Ninja Mura), located near Mount Togakushi. The Togakure Ninpo Museum is located near the entrance to Okusha, at the base of the mountain. The Kids Ninja Village is located near Chà «sha Shrine.
From JR Nagano Station, buses run by Alpico Kà Âtsà « leave approximately once every hour, and takes approximately 60 minutes (1500 yen). Various passes are available.
By car, Togakushi is approximately 20 minutes from central Nagano City via the Togakushi Bird Line.