Mount Kongō, Mountain summit in Gose, Nara Prefecture, Japan

Mount Kongō is a summit between Osaka and Nara prefectures, rising to 1,125 meters (3,691 feet) and dominating the surrounding plains of the Kansai region. Its forested slopes stretch across several municipalities and offer multiple ascent routes with varying levels of difficulty.

Mount Kongō's summit is the site of the former Kunimi Castle, whose earthworks remain as the flat summit plaza. The mountain is also the birthplace of Kusunoki Masashige, and the Chihaya, Kami-Akasaka and Shimo-Akasaka castle ruins and his birthplace lie around its slopes. The Shinto shrine Kengyō Jinja, guardian of the mountain, was rebuilt by Masashige and is a designated Important Cultural Property.

The name Kongō comes from the diamond that gives the mountain its title, and from the Tendai temple Kongō-san Tenpōrin-ji on the summit. En no Gyōja is said to have trained here about 1,300 years ago, and on 7 July, the anniversary of his death, the lotus festival (renge-matsuri) is held jointly by Katsuragi Shrine and Tenpōrin-ji, a rare Shinto-Buddhist rite.

The trailhead begins near the ropeway station, from where several paths lead to the summit. The hike takes between two and four hours depending on the chosen route, and sturdy footwear is recommended due to sections with uneven terrain.

A summit stamping system records repeat ascents: hikers buy a counter card and get it stamped at the top each climb. Members with 100 or more ascents are honoured at a ceremony every 3 May, and by April 2005 the record stood at 10,000 climbs. Some regulars ascend before work or after finishing their jobs.