Japanese Alps, Japanese Nihon (or Nippon) Arupusu, mountains, central Honshu, Japan. The term Japanese Alps was first applied to the Hida Range in the late 19th century but now also includes the Kiso and Akaishi ranges to the south.
The ranges are a popular skiing and mountain-climbing area. The Hida Range is included within Chūbu-Sangaku National Park, which stretches over Gifu, Toyama, Nagano, and Niigata prefectures and contains Mount Hotaka (10,466 feet [3,190 m]). Minami Alps National Park encompasses the Akaishi Range and contains Mount Shirane (10,472 feet [3,192 m]).