At 1,729 meters, Daisen rises as the tallest mountain in western Japan. It’s in Tottori Prefecture, on the way to the Izumo province of ancient myth. In the winter, the area transforms into the Okudaisen ski resort, drawing ski fans … Read the rest
Category: Mountains (Page 3 of 6)
Mountains are a vital part of Japan’s identity, and Mt Fuji its sacred symbol. Some 70% of the country is mountainous, and the terrain is characterised by rice-growing villages set amongst steep hillsides. These ‘abodes of the gods’ have shaped … Read the rest
In 1956 Gary Snyder came to Kyoto to study Zen. He stayed several years, wrote poems and kept a journal which sheds light on the city and its characters in those heady postwar times. One of the most interesting accounts … Read the rest
Mountains are a vital part of Japan’s identity. They are also a fundamental part of the country’s spiritual heritage. Mountain worship is widespread across East Asia, and recognition of their sacred qualities has long been part of Chinese and … Read the rest
Kyoto boasts two prominent mountains in its environs. To the north-east, guarding the devil’s gate (kimon), is Mt Hiei, 848 meters tall. Its guardian shrine is Hiyoshi Taisha, and as the ‘mother of Japanese Buddhism’ it stands … Read the rest
On the afternoon of 25 April, the Lower House of Parliament in Japan passed an amendment to the nation’s Holiday Act to include a new public holiday Mountain Day (Yama no Hi). It was yesterday approved too … Read the rest