Hyakumeizan (日本百名山) Redemption
My personal Journey of climbing one hundred mountains.
For years, I was trapped in multiple addictions—heavy drinking and smoking, to name a few. The combination of these nearly destroyed my career, my health, and most painfully, my family. On top of that, living with ADHD has been its own constant battle, impacting every part of my life in ways I’m still learning to understand.
But I made a choice: to confront my demons head-on. Now, I’m taking on a new challenge—climbing Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains. Every summit I reach is a step away from addiction and a step toward understanding and managing my ADHD.
This channel is about more than mountains. It’s about struggle, resilience, and the messy, honest path to reclaiming my life. I’m sharing it all—the setbacks, the victories, and the lessons along the way.
If you’re fighting your own battles, whether it’s addiction, ADHD, or both, I hope this journey reminds you that change is possible.
Let’s climb.
Mt. Tōno-dake (搭 ノ 岳)
Mt. Tonodake (also known as Mount Tō / 搭 ノ 岳) is in the Tanzawa mountain range runs about 40 kilometers east-west through northwestern Kanagawa Prefecture. There are number of mountains in Tanzawa range and two are in the list of “100 Famous Japanese Mountains”. Both can be hiked in a same trail and Mt. Tonodake (Tohno-dake) is the highest peak. From the Okura bus stop (also visitor center with parking lot), it is about 200-300M walk along the road to the trail head. I let the distance fooled me – I was physically and more importantly, mentally was not up to the steep and physically demanding climb waiting for me with less than couple of hundred meters.
Mt Tsukuba (筑波山)
Also known as “Purple Mountain” is double peak - Nyotai-san (女体山) and Nantai-san (男体山). mountain located towards the north of Tsukuba city with panoramic view of Kanto region. This is the lowest mountain out of 100 famous mountains of Japan. In my view, it doesn’t feel like climbing, more like hiking.
Mount Tanigawa (谷川岳)
Located in Mikuni Mountain range on the border of Gunma and Nigata prefecture. The summit has twin peaks Tomanomimi (トマノ耳) and Okinomimi (オキノ耳). Now I know why it is called “Mountain of Evil”. It’s not because the handful of steep cliffs and rocky sections, it’s not because of multiple sections with chains and ladders to help you on the narrow ridge line, is not the elevation (1977M), and not the bells along the trail to scare the bears – it is sudden and unpredictable change of weather that claimed over 800 lives.
Mount Daibosatsu (大菩薩嶺)
The 2,057-meter Mount Daibosatsu (大菩薩嶺) is one of the “100 Famous Mountains” of Japan. Located in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, on the border between Yamanashi, Nagano, Saitama, and Tokyo. There are few courses – I choose course starts Kamihigawa pass (high-elevation trailhead is at1580M). Hike is relatively easy – it took us around 5 hours (including lunch). No truly hazardous sections so good for beginners and children.