Mount Okukane is a mountain located between the towns of Tateyama and Kurobe in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. The mountain has an elevation of 1543m. Mount Okukane rises dramatically between the Kurobe Gorge and the Haba Valley to form, at 600m, one of the foremost sheer rock faces in Japan. The mountain is primarily composed of granite and is part of the Hida Mountains, also known as the Northern Japan Alps. Mount Okukane, together with the Kurobe and Sarutobi gorges, were designated a Special Natural Monument and Special Place of Scenic Beauty in 1964.EtymologyThe name of Mount Okukane in the Japanese language is formed from two kanji:, meaning "behind" or "rear" and, meaning "bell" or "chime". The name of the mountain is an abbreviation for 奥鐘釣, a reference to Mount Okukane being the farthest to the rear of the many mountains called Kanetsuri. The mountain appears in maps beginning in the Edo period (1603 - 1868), the earliest being in 1648.RecreationThe sheer face of Mount Okukane has become a popular destination for rock climbers. The mountain and the surrounding Kurobe Gorge are known for their fall colors, which have a long season from the middle of October to the middle of November. The 34m Okukane Bridge, a bright red pedestrian bridge which spans high over the Kurobe River, connects Keyakidaira Station to numerous hiking trails and two ryokan inns with onsen (hot springs).