Mount Nantai, Sacred mountain summit in Nikko National Park, Japan
Mount Nantai is an andesite stratovolcano standing on the north shore of Lake Chuzenji in Tochigi Prefecture, reaching 2,486 meters above sea level. Its cone-shaped peak dominates the forested slopes and lakeshore below, shaping the landscape of Nikko National Park.
Buddhist monk Shodo Shonin climbed to the top in the 8th century, turning it into an important religious site. Since then, the peak has drawn pilgrims from across Japan and contributes to the World Heritage designation of the Shrines and Temples of Nikko.
The summit is considered the sacred body of the deity enshrined at Futarasan Shrine, and pilgrims have climbed here for centuries to pray. At the top, a small shrine stands where hikers still leave coins and prayers today.
The trail to the top opens from early May through late October, and the round-trip route from Futarasan Shrine Chuguji takes around six and a half hours. The path grows steeper in the upper section, so hikers should start early and bring plenty of water.
Excavations near the peak uncovered hundreds of artifacts from the Nara to Edo periods, including swords and mirrors, now recognized as Important Cultural Properties. These finds show how long believers have left offerings on the slope.
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