Manaslu at 70: the Japanese first ascent that began the Nepal–Japan friendship
In May 1956 a Japanese team stood atop Manaslu — and helped start a friendship between two mountain nations. Seventy years on, the "Mountain of the Spirit" is calling Japanese trekkers back.
Some mountains belong, in spirit, to more than one country. For Japan, that mountain is Manaslu. On 9 May 1956, Toshio Imanishi and the Sherpa Gyalzen Norbu became the first people to stand on its 8,163-metre summit — and that Japanese first ascent became a cornerstone of the friendship between Nepal and Japan. In 2026, seventy years on, that bond is being celebrated, and there is no better time for Japanese travellers to walk the mountain that started it.
Key facts
- Manaslu is the world's 8th-highest peak at 8,163m
- First climbed by a Japanese team on 9 May 1956 (Imanishi & Gyalzen Norbu)
- 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the ascent
- The Manaslu Circuit crosses the Larkya La (5,106m)
The mountain that bonded two nations
Manaslu's name comes from the Sanskrit manasa — "intellect" or "soul" — which is why it is often called the Mountain of the Spirit. The 1956 Japanese expedition's success was more than a climbing milestone; it opened a lasting relationship between Nepal and Japan that has shaped tourism, mountaineering and aid ever since. To this day, Japanese alpinists feel a special connection to Manaslu, and the 70th-anniversary commemorations in 2026 — in Sama Gaun beneath the peak and in Pokhara — honour exactly that history.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Height | 8,163m (8th highest) |
| First ascent | 9 May 1956, Japanese expedition |
| Trek | Manaslu Circuit, ~14 days |
| High pass | Larkya La, 5,106m |
| Permit | Restricted area — guide required |
Walking the Mountain of the Spirit
You do not need to climb to feel Manaslu's pull. The Manaslu Circuit trek loops right around the massif, through the deeply Tibetan-Buddhist villages of the Nubri and Tsum valleys, past mani walls and monasteries, and over the dramatic Larkya La pass. It is quieter and wilder than the Annapurna and Everest trails — a restricted area that has kept its culture and solitude intact. For the Japanese traveller drawn by history and meaning rather than crowds, it is close to perfect.
What this means for you
The 70th anniversary is the moment to walk the mountain that began the Nepal–Japan story. As a restricted area, Manaslu requires a licensed guide through a registered agency — and, as of 2026, solo trekkers are now welcome too. We run the full circuit and the Tsum Valley extension with experienced guides who know the history, the passes and the people.
Source: The Himalayan Times; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan; Japanese Alpine Club.
Cover photo: Samdesherpa via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Source: The Himalayan Times
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