When a 3,000-Metre Peak Isn’t a 3,000-Metre Peak

Enter Naka-Shirane-san et al.

Picture this: you’ve battled your way to the top of Kita-dake, made your way towards Aino-dake, and on the way, you pass Naka-Shirane-san (3,055 metres), thinking, “Great, another 3,000-metre peak to add to the ledger.” Then, the disappointment sets in later when you realise—no 3,000-metre cigar for Naka-Shirane-san. Surely not, right? What!?

Recently, I received an excellent comment and question from a reader asking precisely this: why only some mountains over 3,000 metres are included in the list of 21 three-thousand-metre peaks, while others—such as Naka-Shirane-san in the Southern Alps and Gendarme in the Northern Alps—are not.

In my reply, I explored several factors that may help explain why not all mountains over 3,000 metres in Japan are included in the list of 21 three-thousanders, focusing specifically on the criteria often used to define what qualifies as a “distinct peak.”

One crucial factor I highlighted is a mountain’s prominence, which refers to the vertical height difference between its summit and the lowest point on the contour line that encircles it and its parent peak. If a peak has low prominence, it may be classified as a subsidiary or secondary peak of a nearby “main” mountain rather than being recognised as an independent peak in its own right.

For example, in the case of Naka-Shirane-san, its prominence is too low compared to neighbouring peaks like Kita-dake or Aino-dake, so it’s considered part of the Aino-dake massif. Similarly, Gendarme, a dome-shaped rock along the traverse between Nishi-Hotaka-dake and Oku-Hotaka-dake, is regarded as a ridge peak of Oku-Hotaka-dake.

Cultural and historical significance also influence which mountains are recognised. Lists of “famous peaks” or those that are “counted” often reflect cultural or historical perceptions of what constitutes a “mountain” worth recognising. Peaks that are close to larger, more distinct summits may be overlooked, even if they meet the elevation threshold.

Finally, lists like the “21 peaks over 3,000 metres” are human-made constructs, often shaped by factors such as convenience, visibility, and their significance to climbers or mountaineers. In some cases, a peak may meet all the technical criteria but still be excluded due to its lack of prominence or distinctiveness.

In the Minami Alps, many peaks are part of broad ridges with less dramatic separation between summits, making prominence a key factor in determining which peaks are seen as distinct. In the Kita Alps, the rugged terrain often features minor peaks above 3,000 metres that are more like “points” on a ridge than independent mountains. As a result, while Naka-Shirane-san and Gendarme meet the elevation criterion, they are excluded due to their lack of sufficient prominence and are considered secondary peaks rather than separate mountains.

However, upon delving a bit deeper, we encounter additional questions, such as why not all 23 peaks over 3,000 metres counted by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) are included. According to their assessment, excluding the independent peaks of Fuji-san and Ontake-san, there are 11 peaks in the Southern Alps, including Kita-dake, and 11 peaks in the Northern Alps, including Oku-Hotaka-dake. The highest peak in the Central Alps is Kisokoma-ga-take, which stands at 2,956 metres (ranked 27th*).

As mentioned, the number of 3,000-metre peaks can vary depending on whether only the main peaks are counted or if subsidiary peaks—mountains surrounding the main peak—are also included. The claim of 21 peaks excludes Mae-dake (Arakawa Mae-dake, 3,068 m), one of the three mountains in the Southern Alps collectively known as the Arakawa Sanzan, which also includes Warusawa-dake (Arakawa Higashi-dake, 3,141 m) and Naka-dake (Arakawa Naka-dake, 3,084 m). Similarly, for Notori-dake (3,026 m), only the highest peak, Nishi-Notori-dake (3,051 m), is counted, excluding Notori-dake itself. This results in a total of 21 3,000-metre peaks.

Thus, in the list of mountains published by the GSI, Mae-dake and Notori-dake are recognised as official 3,000-metre peaks, bringing the official tally to 23 mountains. Why these two additional mountains haven’t gained wider recognition or been included on existing lists is not exactly clear.

Another conundrum involves Japan’s highest peak, Fuji-san. While its well-known summit, Ken-ga-mine (3,776 m), marks the highest point on the south-east side, there is also a second-order triangulation point called Fuji-Hakusan-dake (3,756 m) on the north side of the crater. This raises the intriguing argument that Fuji-Hakusan-dake, rather than Kita-dake in the Southern Alps, could be considered Japan’s second-highest peak.

Additionally, there are some well-known “hidden” 3,000-metre peaks, such as Ko-Akaishi-dake (3,081 m), located north of Akaishi-dake (3,121 m), and Naka-Shirane-san, discussed earlier, which is surprisingly independent—so much so that it is sometimes mistaken for Aino-dake in foggy conditions. Another example is Tateyama-Oyama (3,003 m), the main peak of the Tateyama Mountain Range. Including these three peaks along with the Gendarme brings the total number of 3,000-metre peaks to 27.

23 Peaks Over 3,000 Metres as Defined by GSI Japan