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3 routes of mountain climbing

3 routes of mountain climbing

Misen When the Seto Inland Sea came up about 6,000 years ago, Itsukushima (Miyajima) Island was separated with the opposite bank and became an island. The highest peak of Itsukushima is 535m of Mt. Misen, 506m of Komagabayashi and 466.6m of Mt. Iwafunedake.

  People have felt divine power since the ancient times, and the whole island was an object of their faith. For 593 years, the God of Itsukushima enshrined in Itsukushima. It became an object of mountains religion in the Heian era, and Sanki Daigongen was worshiped in Mt. Misen. Kobo Daishi (Kukai) opened Mt. Misen for Shingon vajrayana in 806 and became its ashram.
  In the Edo era, people climbed Mt. Misen for their faith and made a tour in Nanaura as parts of Itsukushima pilgrimage. Duke Hirobumi Ito, the first Prime Minister in the Meiji era, had strong faith in the Misen religion and made his effort for repair of the approach to Mt. Misen in 1906. There is its monument at the start point of the mount climbing route of Daishoin. In December 1996, Itsukushima Shrine, including the sea frontal and 431.2ha of the Mt. Misen primeval forest (national natural treasure) on the back, was registered as the world's cultural heritage.
  It was selected in "Japanese Top 100 Mountains" that Motoo Iwasaki, mountaineer, released in 2004, too.

It is simple for trekking, but it turns to a dangerous mountain because of its steepness, when you lose the way.
Following 3 safe routes are available.

Attention

In Miyajima, you start from 0 m above see level. Even it seems low mountains, please do not think them little.
Since the mountains are steep, and many mountaineers are searched because of missing every year.
Please enjoy mountain climbing with safe routes.
Please climb mountain with clothes and the shoes which are suitable to walk.
Also, please take precautions against the cold in winter and in autumn.
Please take safe ways in reference to guidance maps.
But please carry compasses and a map issued by Kokudo Chiriin (the Geographical Survey Institute) for just in case of lost.
Please enjoy mountain climbing rehydrating yourself.
Please be careful with poisonous insects (hornets and others) and venomous snakes (vipers).
Please make sure to take garbage home with you by each person.
Collection and carry-on of plants are strict prohibited.
Tour times indicated are just for reference. Actual tour time depends on individual difference. Please make a reasonable tour.

* For historic spots around the mountaintop, see Mt. Misen of the tourist attraction.

Daishoin Course

1h30 - 2h with a lot of stone steps

Front of Nioh Gate of Daishoin Temple. The start point of the route of the climb is on the left before the bridge.
On the route of the climb Daishoin Temple, there are "Choseki (guide stone)". 1 cho = 109 m, and 24 cho (about 2.6 km) to the peak. The view on the way is very good. There are guardian deity of children and prayer rooms on the way, which show the faith for this mountain.

Start point

Miyuki stone, Shiraito Falls

Azumaya observatory

Spiritual riverside (Sai no Kawara)

Maku-iwa

Nioumon-ato

Kujira-iwa

Misenhondo Hall, Reikado Hall

Top of Mt. Misen

Monument		Start point of the route of the climb		Miyuki stone and Shiraito Falls
Gate		1th dam		Nioumon-ato

Momijidani Course

Around 1h30 with sloping road.
It is a mountain trail to climb in a forest.

Oku Momijidani Bridge

Start point

Turning point

Misenhondo Hall and Reikado Hall

Top of Mt.Misen

Turning point

Start point

Turning point

Omoto Course

Around 2h with sloping road and stone steps

Please do not make a mistake in the start point of the route of the climb, because several accidents have occurred recently.
On the way, you can go to Komagabayashi from the turning point, but please warn your steps in dangerous rocky stretch.

Omoto Shrine

Natural forest of fir trees