Mount Kita (北岳) is a mountain of the Akaishi Mountains−"Southern Alps" (南アルプス Minami-Arupusu), in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. It is the second tallest mountain in Japan, after Mount Fuji, and is known as "the Leader of the Southern Alps". It is included in the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains. It is located in Minami Alps National Park, near the city of Minami-Alps, Yamanashi Prefecture.

Geography

The Kitadake Buttress (北岳バットレス) is a 600 m tall rock face on the eastern side of the mountain. Alpine plants grow abundantly, especially on the mountain's southeastern slope along the route to Mount Nakashirane (中白峰山) and along the Kusasuberi (草すべり) and Migimata (右俣) courses along Shiraneo Pond (白根御池) on the mountain's northern side. Large clusters of plants can be seen from huts near the top. The species Callianthemum hondoense (キタダケソウ) is endemic to this mountain.