Mt. Korenge (2,766 m) lies in the Hida Mountains, commonly known as the Northern Japan Alps, along the border between Nagano and Niigata Prefectures. It forms part of the northeastern section of the Shirouma Range, situated roughly midway along the traverse route that connects Mt. Norikura (Shirouma Norikura-dake) and Mt. Shirouma. The mountain is composed mainly of granite, and its distinct white surface has been shaped by long-term weathering. It is the highest peak in Niigata Prefecture and serves as a symbolic landmark of the prefectural border.
The ridge extending from Hakuba-Oike Pond toward the summit of Mt. Korenge is home to rock ptarmigans (Lagopus muta japonica), and this section is known as “Raichozaka” or “Ptarmigan Slope.” The area is characterized by strong winds, with alternating patches of dwarf pine (Pinus pumila) and gravel terrain, representing a typical alpine landscape.
Across the slopes where rock and grassland intermingle, shades of green and autumn colors form a mottled pattern. As the season progresses, the mountain surface—bare and rugged—reveals subtle yet striking changes in its appearance.