Mount Tate Facts & Worksheets

Mount Tate, also known as Tateyama, is one of the “Three Holy Mountains” in Japan, along with Mt. Haku and Mt. Fuji, and is notable for being a sacred site for religious rites and rituals. It is located in the southern part of Toyama Prefecture, in the Chūbu region in Japan.

See the fact file below for more information on Mount Tate, or you can download our 29-page Mount Tate worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ETYMOLOGY

• The origin of the name of Mt. Tateyama is derived from the Japanese words “Tate” and “Yama”. Tate in Kanji means standing or upright,  while “Yama”  means mountain. Thereby, Tateyama can be interpreted as a “standing mountain.” This name likely refers to the appearance of the hill’s peak.
• Another belief is that the name “ Tateyama” was derived from the indigenous Ainu language, which was spoken in northern Japan before the arrival of the Japanese people. The Ainu language has various interpretations for this name, including “standing god” or “place where the gods stand.” 

GEOGRAPHY

• Mount Tate, also known as Tateyama, is a prominent mountain in the southern part of Toyama Prefecture, in Japan’s Hida Mountains of the Chūbu region. It is part of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, a popular tourist destination.
• The summit of Mount Tate stands at an impressive height of 3,015 meters. The mountain features a majestic landscape with steep slopes, deep valleys, and rocky cliffs. 
• Mount Tate experiences a subarctic climate due to its high elevation. Thus, it is generally cold, even in summer, with heavy snowfall during winter. The mountain is often covered in snow from November to May, making it a popular destination for winter sports, mainly snowboarding.
• Mount Tate is part of the Hida Mountains, also called the Northern Alps. It is a mountain range with several notable peaks, such as Mount Tsurugi and Mount Bessan. Mt. Tate is the tallest among these mountains in the Hida Mountains. 
• Mount Tate is known for its numerous hot springs, or onsen, which result from the geothermal activity associated with the volcanic nature of the region. On the other hand, Mount Tate is also the source of the Hayatsuki and Tsurugi rivers flowing to the Sea of Japan.

GEOLOGY

• The geological feature of Mount Tate is primarily shaped by its volcanic origins, in which Its layers are mainly composed of granite and gneiss. To this, a stratovolcano is located in the western part of the mountain’s summit. This volcano has a height of 2,621 m and has a record of minor eruptions;  its latest eruption record was in 1961.

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

• Mount Tateyama has a rich history that spans thousands of years. During Japan’s Ancient period, Mount Tate was believed to be the dwelling place of gods and served as a pilgrimage site. Shrines were established on and around the mountain, including the Oyama Shrine, which dates back to the 8th century.
• During the Edo Period, around 1603-1868, Mount Tate became an important spiritual destination for pilgrims and travelers. The mountain was part of the route known as the Hokuriku Kaido, which connected Edo (Tokyo) to the Hokuriku region. 
• In the 20th century, there was a development in transportation in the Tateyama region after the construction of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in 1971, which included different modes of transportation such as tunnels, buses, cable cars, and trolleys that made the travel to mountainous areas more accessible to visitors. 
• In 1934, Mount Tate and its surrounding areas were designated as part of the Chūbu-Sangaku National Park. This was to preserve the mountain’s natural beauty and protect the animals there.
• In April 2023, the Yuki no Otani, or Great Valley of Snow, located along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, reopened. It is a 500-meter-long pathway which connects Toyama and Nagano prefectures. It became a tourist attraction because of the towering snow walls along the rail.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

• Mount Tate holds significant cultural importance in Japan. It is included in the “Three Holy Mountains,” along with Mt. Fuji and Mt. Haku, sacred places believed to have special powers. 
• Mount Haku is known as the power of water, for the spiritual ability of the river in the mountain gives life to the land and people residing at its foothill. The water of the rivers flowing from the mountain is significant for the farming activities of the nearby people. This mountain stands at 2,702 meters. 
• Mount Fuji, or Mt. Fujiyama, is known as the volcanic power, which is the highest peak in Japan. It has been considered a sacred place since the period of Ainu in Japan. Currently, it is a holy place for worship for Buddhists and Shintoists. This mountain stands at 3,776 meters. 
• Mount Tate is known as the mountain of spiritual practices, for it has been revered as a sacred site for rites and rituals for the existing religions in Japan, including Buddhism, Shintoism, and Taoism.
• In addition, the mountain is home to several Shinto shrines, including the Oyama Shrine and the Mikurigaike Shrine, which are places of worship and pilgrimage to visitors who seek blessings, purification, and a connection with the divine.
• Mount Tate hosts various cultural events and festivals. One notable festival is the Tateyama Snow Festival, held annually in April to celebrate the natural beauty of the mountain as well as its cultural significance. 

BIODIVERSITY

• Mount Tate has a wide variety of plant species. Flowering plants such as Asian Skunk Cabbage, daylily, and cotton grass are found in the subalpine zone. On the other hand, Japanese gentian, deer cabbage, and Aleutian avens are located in the alpine area. Moreover, evergreen trees such as Japanese stone pine, Tateyama cedar, and rhododendron can be seen in the mountain song with deciduous trees like Japanese Beech and Japanese rowan. 
• Mount Tate also is home to various animal species, including mammals, vertebrates, arthropods, and amphibians. Most familiar are the Japanese macaque, stoat, Japanese antelope, ptarmigans, monarch butterfly, and dragonfly. 

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Mount Tate offers a wide range of recreational activities that the visitors enjoy. This includes hiking, skiing, hot spring baths, camping, and nature walks.
• Hiking– Hiking is the most popular activity on Mount Tate, where visitors follow designated trails to reach the mountain’s peak. The most famous route is the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, a multi-day trek passing through stunning alpine scenery.
• Skiing– Skiing is a popular activity in Mount Tate during winter, where visitors enjoy gliding on the snow-covered hill with their skis. The thick layers of snow on the surface of Mount Tate caused by the heavy snowfall are great for skiing. Thus, this makes the mountain a famous skiing destination. 
• Hot spring– The presence of hot springs or thermal baths around Mount Tate allows visitors to relax and rejuvenate by soaking in the mineral-rich waters of the springs, which are believed to have therapeutic properties.
• Camping- Several campsites available near Mount Tate allow the tourists to immerse themselves in nature overnight. In line with this, most mountain hikers stay around the grounds overnight to rest and continue their trek the next day.
• Leisure Walks-Leisure walks are one of the most common activities in the mountain, where tourists walk on the nature trails around Mount Tate, appreciating the area’s beautiful scenery and flora and fauna. This is an alternative activity for those visitors who are not into hiking. 

Mount Tate Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Mount Tate across 29 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Mount Tate. It is located in the southern part of Toyama Prefecture, in the Chūbu region in Japan.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Mount Tate Facts
2. Geo Facts
3. Draw and Tell
4. Fact or Fake
5. Sacred Giants
6. Time-Trails
7. Read and Analyze
8. Identifying Flora
9. Which is Which?
10. GIANTivities
11. Climb and Reflect 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mount Tate?

Mount Tate, also known as Tateyama, is one of Japan’s most famous and revered mountains. It is part of the Northern Alps (Hida Mountains) and is located in the Toyama Prefecture. With an elevation of 3,015 meters (9,892 feet), it’s one of the tallest peaks in the region.

How can I reach the summit of Mount Tate?

Reaching the summit of Mount Tate can be done through various routes, but one popular option is the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. This route combines various modes of transportation including buses, cable cars, trolley buses, and a ropeway, allowing visitors to experience stunning alpine scenery on their way to the summit.

Is Mount Tate considered a sacred mountain?

Yes, Mount Tate is considered one of Japan’s three sacred mountains, along with Mount Fuji and Mount Haku. It holds spiritual significance in Japanese Shugendo and Buddhist traditions. The mountain’s summit area is home to several Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, and many pilgrims visit the area for religious reasons.

What is the best time to visit Mount Tate?

The best time to visit Mount Tate depends on what you want to experience. The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is generally open from mid-April to November, and this period is ideal for those who want to see the alpine landscapes, snowy walls, and lush greenery. The autumn months offer beautiful foliage, while winter offers a snowy wonderland. Keep in mind that weather conditions can affect accessibility.

Are there any hiking opportunities on Mount Tate?

Yes, there are hiking opportunities on Mount Tate. While the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route provides various means of transportation, there are hiking trails that allow you to explore the mountain on foot. Some of these trails can be challenging, and it’s recommended to be well-prepared and have proper equipment if you plan to hike them. The trails provide different levels of difficulty and offer various views of the surrounding landscapes.

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