Nihonkoku, Mountain summit in Murakami and Tsuruoka, Japan
Nihonkoku is a mountain summit on the border between Murakami and Tsuruoka in Japan. The peak rises through cedar and mixed forests, with three marked trails each starting from a different point in the surrounding area.
The mountain got its name during the Edo period, after a hunter called Endo Taroji caught a falcon at the summit. When the shogun Tokugawa Ieharu heard of the event, he gave the peak the name Nihonkoku.
The mountain marked a significant boundary between Yamato Japan and Emishi tribes, representing a historical division in Japanese territorial organization.
The mountain is open to hikers from April through November, with trailheads at Nakanomata, Omata, and Zaodo. The three routes differ in length and difficulty, so it is worth choosing one that matches your pace and experience.
On a clear day, the summit offers views of the Sea of Japan, Chokai-san, and the Asahi Range all at once. This wide view in three directions is unusual for a peak of this height.
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