Yobaba

Yobaba is a mountain that rises to 1,615 metres (5,300 feet) above sea level in the northern part of Niigata Prefecture, Japan. It is located within the Hidaka Range, approximately 15 kilometres west of the city of Nagaoka. The summit offers panoramic views of the surrounding Taishākū Basin and the Sea of Japan, and it is a popular destination for hikers seeking less crowded alpine trails.

The geology of Yobaba is dominated by schist and gneiss formations that date back to the late Paleozoic era. The ridge line is characterised by exposed quartzite outcrops, and the lower slopes support a mixed montane forest of Japanese beech, birch, and spruce. During the late spring and early summer, the slopes are carpeted with alpine wildflowers such as Gentiana and Saxifraga. The mountain is also notable for a number of limestone caves located near the eastern flank, which have been the subject of speleological studies since the late 20th century.

According to local folklore, Yobaba is associated with a protective spirit known as the Yobaba-ryōjin. The spirit is believed to safeguard the local communities from avalanches and to ensure fertile farmland on the adjacent valleys. An annual shrine festival is held each autumn at the Yobaba-jinja shrine situated at the base of the mountain.

The first documented ascent of Yobaba occurred in 1938 by a team of geologists from the University of Tokyo. Today, the most common approach is via the Nagano–Niigata trail, which begins at the Yobaba parking area and traverses a series of well-maintained footpaths. The trail is approximately 8 kilometres long and takes roughly four hours to ascend. Public bus services run from Nagaoka City to the base parking area, and local tour operators offer guided hikes that include information on the area's ecology and cultural heritage.