Mount Naka Katsuragi
{{Short description|Mountain in Japan}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Mount Naka Katsuragi
| other_name = 中葛城山
Naka Katsuragi-san
| photo = File:Mount Nakakaturagi3.jpg
| photo_alt = The trail going up Mount Naka Katsuragi
| photo_caption = The trail going up Mount Naka Katsuragi (July 2010).
| map = Japan
| map_alt = Location in Japan of Mount Naka Katsuragi in Japan
| location = Mount Naka Katsuragi is located in Chihayaakasaka, Osaka and Gojō, Nara, Japan
| coordinates = {{coord|34.493252|N|135.679256|E|type:mountain_region:JP-27_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m = 937.7
| parent_peak =
| listing =
| translation = Middle Kudzu Castle Mountain
| language = Japanese
| pronunciation =
| range = Kongō Range
| range_coordinates =
| type =
| age =
}}
{{nihongo|Mount Naka Katsuragi|中葛城山|Naka Katsuragi-san}} is a mountain in the Kongō Range to the south of Mount Kongō, rising to an elevation of {{convert|937.7|m|ft}}. The mountain is situated between Chihayaakasaka, Osaka and Gojō, Nara in Japan. It is known for its trails being generally easy for most hikers, and for its stands of Japanese cedar and large fields of bamboo grass.
Despite being just off the popular Diamond Trail, most hikers bypass the mountain as they go between Mount Kongō to the north and Mount Jinpuku to the southwest. The summit is accessible via multiple routes from all sides of the mountain, and most hikes take about 90 minutes.
Location
Mount Naka Katsuragi is a {{convert|937.7|m|ft}} (though the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan shows 937.6 meters,{{cite web|url=http://maps.gsi.go.jp/?vs=c1&z=16&ll=34.39861111111111,135.67666666666665#16/34.402245/135.676389|script-title=ja:大阪府南河内郡千早赤阪村大字千早|trans-title=Chihaya, Ōaza, Village of Chihayaakasaka, Minamikawachi District, Osaka Prefecture|publisher=Geospatial Information Authority of Japan|accessdate=April 20, 2015|language=Japanese}} most other sources show 937.7) mountain located within Kongō-Ikoma-Kisen Quasi-National Park, about {{convert|3|km|mi}} almost directly south of Mount Kongō.{{cite web|url=http://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/attach/15501/00092565/ura.pdf|script-title=ja:ダイヤモンドトレール|trans-title=Diamond Trail|format=PDF|publisher=Osaka Prefectural Government|language=Japanese|accessdate=April 20, 2015|archivedate=July 1, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701191803/http://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/attach/15501/00092565/ura.pdf|url-status=live}} Despite being very close to Mount Kongō, and being on the Diamond Trail, there are fewer serious mountain climbers.
=Environs=
On the Osaka side, extensive reforestation efforts of Japanese cedar and bamboo grass (Sasa veitchii) have taken place, but they have produced mixed results.
On the approach to the summit on the Gojō side, various shrubs and large fields of Sasa veitchii grow everywhere due to the lack of tall trees blocking out the sunlight. In the middle of all the sasa fields is a class 3 triangulation station (the name of the station is {{nihongo|Kitayama|北山|}}).
Access and amenities
The trails on the mountain generally rise in elevation fairly slowly, so the mountain is popular with recreational hikers. About {{convert|100|m|ft}} northeast of Mount Naka Katsuragi on the Diamond Trail is {{nihongo|Kuruno Pass|久留野峠|Kuruno Tōge}} (elevation {{convert|890|m|ft}}), and while the vertical distance is only about {{convert|60|m|ft}}, the ascent is extremely steep and a difficult climb for those with little mountaineering experience.
The peak is just off the Diamond Trail, a {{convert|50|km|mi}} hiking trail centered on Mount Kongō. Even though it has many hikers traversing by its peak, most bypass Mount Naka Katsuragi on the way to Mount Jinpuku and {{nihongo|Kimi Pass|紀見峠|Kimi Tōge}} after ascending to the base of Mount Kongō via the Mount Kongo Ropeway.{{cite web|url=http://www.yamareco.com/modules/yamainfo/ptinfo.php?ptid=3314|script-title=ja:中葛城山 - 山の最新情報、登山の季節、登山ルートや山行記録を紹介|trans-title=Mount Naka Katsuragi information - Latest mountain information, mountain climbing seasons, route information and records|publisher=Yamareco|language=Japanese|accessdate=April 20, 2015|archivedate=April 27, 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427111545/http://www.yamareco.com/modules/yamainfo/ptinfo.php?ptid=3314}}
There are two routes from Gojō, each taking about 90 minutes: one via Kuruno Pass from {{nihongo|Owa-chō|小和町|}}, and a route from {{nihongo|Kuruno-chō|久留野町|}} which is shorter in distance but rises more steeply.{{cite web|url=http://www.city.gojo.lg.jp/www/contents/1147765255920/files/2006_05_all.pdf|title=広報五條 No. 686: 山岳救助訓練の実施|trans-title=Gojo Public Relations #686: Mountain Rescue Practice Training|date=May 2006|publisher=Gojo City Public Relations|language=Japanese|format=PDF|accessdate=April 20, 2015|page=5|archivedate=April 27, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427124740/http://www.city.gojo.lg.jp/www/contents/1147765255920/files/2006_05_all.pdf|url-status=dead}}
Cell service is available at the summit. The closest toilet facilities are north on the Diamond Trail about 35 minutes, halfway to Mount Kongō at {{nihongo|Fukumi Pass|伏見峠|Fukumi Tōge}}.
Gallery
File:中葛城山山頂付近の笹原.png|A trail through a field of bamboo grass near the summit of Mount Naka Katsuragi.
File:View from Mount Nakakaturagi1.jpg|View from partway up the mountain.
File:Mount Nakakaturagi1.jpg|A bamboo grass trail in winter.
File:2000年頃の中葛城山山頂からの景色。五條市方面を望んだ物である。.png|A scenic view from the summit toward Gojō in 2000.
File:View from Mount Nakakaturagi2.jpg|Another scenic view of Gojō from 2010.
File:ダイヤモンドトレールの急階段（久留野峠~中葛城山）.png|Steep stairway leading from Kuruno Pass up the mountain.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Commonscat inline|Mount Nakakaturagi}}
- [http://www.yamakei-online.com/yamanavi/yama.php?yama_id=18644 Yamakei Online - Mount Naka Katsuragi] {{in lang|ja}}
{{Kongō-Ikoma-Kisen Quasi-National Park}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Naka Katsuragi, Mount}}