Mount Ryūō, Mountain summit in Ibaraki, Japan
Mount Ryūō is a 510-meter summit in the Hokusetsu Mountain range in Ibaraki. The slopes feature hiking trails and a paved road that allows vehicle access to the top.
A castle was built by the military commander Tōichi Tōtada between 1482 and 1588 as a place of strategic importance. The feudal lord Matsunaga Hisahide later captured the fortification and took control.
The name Ryūō means Dragon King, and the shrine at the summit serves as a place where visitors come to make offerings and prayers for rain and good fortune.
Visitors can choose from several hiking routes that start from historical sites like Emperor Suijin's burial mound or Chōgakuji Temple. Those with less time or who prefer not to walk can use the paved road and drive up to the summit.
The slopes are dotted with more than 600 burial mounds known as Ryūōzan kofun gun, distinguished by their side entrances. These ancient grave chambers offer a rare window into burial practices from an earlier era.
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