about Mt.Misen

This pic is a part of the Miyajima mountain range. I took it from my house nearby which is opposite the .shore of Miyajima Islamd. What figure do you think this mountain ridge is?　　　　　　　　　　　　 　 　　　　　　　　　 　 .

Since ancient times, people who live nearby have believed that this figure is the face of Kannon Bodhisattva, so people have had faith in this island. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　. The left hand side peak is the forehead, the central peak is the nose, then the right hand side peak is the mouth.. Kannon Bodhisattva is laying on his back. Don't you think so?　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 ... The forehead is the top of Miyajima Island, so-called Mt.Misen, about 535 meters in height, that has a magnific- ent panorama over the Seto Inland Sea National Park. (also a special spiritual place.)　　　　　 　　　　　　　　..... The nose is the second top, so-called Mt.Komagabayashi, about 509 meters in height, that had the historical 　.. battlefield with Mori and Sue in 1555. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 . Most peaple climb toward both peaks, especially Mt.Misen. If you have plenty of time, I recommend you climb Mt.Misen. It's not so high, but you will be breathtaken by an amazing panorama view from the top of.Mt.Misen. You will also see the whole of Hiroshima city beyond Hiroshima bay, Misen virgin forest, a lot of greenish islan- ds surround there, ship coming and going with white boat's wake, even Shikoku Island far away. 　　　　　 　　 .

Also you will notice that it's a special spiritual place. It's said that Kukai(774-835), who founded ShingonBuddhism in Japan, practiced asceticism there on his way back from Chaina. (He studied Buddhism in China.)

mountain trails

As I say, Mt.Misen is not so high, but you mustn't underestimate it, because you have to climb from sea level to 535 meters above while you head only 1.5 kilometers horizontally. 　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 There are a lot of mountain trails for climbing Mt.Misen, but I recommend these three mountain trails, because they are the official courses, and therefore kept in good condition.

(1)the Momijidani(maple valley)course 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　. The Momijidani course is the most northern trail, and it starts from the Momijidani Park at the back of .Itukushima Shrine. You can enjoy plenty of colorful maple trees (especially in Autumn) as well as beautiful ravines, and bird- songs.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 . Near the top, it joins with the trail from the Ropeway's terminal to the top of Mt.Misen, so you will see a lot of elderly enjoying climbing. It's said to be the easiest way to climb, and it takes about an hour.and a half.

(2)the Daisyoin(Daisyoin Temple)course　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 The central trail is the Daisyoin course, and it starts in front of the Daisyoin Temple behind Itsukushima Shrine. It's said to be the hardest course, because there are tons of stone steps along the way, but you　can see an amaz- ing view half way up the mountain. It will suddenly appear, and you can look down over Itsukushima Shrine and the five storied pagoda.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 .

It takes about an hour and a half to two hours.

(3)the Omoto Park course 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 . This is the most southern course, and it starts from the Omoto Park next to the Miyajima aquarium. 　　 . It's said to be the wildest course, so sometimes you have to climb on natural stone steps, and steep slopes. There's nothing any view except a deep mountains, but you can experience the real Misen virgin forest. It joins with the Daisyoin course in front of the Niomon gate.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 It also takes about an hour and a half to two hours.

pay attention

Please wear suitable clothing and feetwear, and bring at least two plastic bottles of water for drinking. It's a good idea to have a walking stick, a towel, a hat, a chenge of clothes, and a rain gear. 　　　　 There are no lavatories on the mountain trails, but there's a public lavatory at the top of Mt.Misen.　 (It's under reconstruction now, but you can use a temporary one.) Of course there are some public lavatories at the start of the mountain trails.　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Please don't start after nightfall, because there are no lights on the pass, so it can be dangerous.　　 You have to pay attention to poisonous snakes, especially in marshes, between early Summer and late Autumn. If you're bitten by a snake, you have to tie it quickly with a rope or somethings on the upper side of the wound, and look for help as soon as posible.　It's a good precautionaly measure.