Mount Amagi, Extinct stratovolcano in Izu Peninsula, Japan
Mount Amagi is an extinct stratovolcano in the Izu region that spans several municipalities and reaches 1,406 meters (4,613 feet) at Banzaburo Peak. Its forested slopes form part of a larger volcanic structure that defines the central highlands of the peninsula.
Volcanic activity ceased around 200,000 years ago, leaving behind the current mountain formation as part of the Izu-Bonin-Mariana Arc. Over time, the forested summit became a known destination for hikers from the Shizuoka region.
The name may come from "rain tree", after the heavy rainfall here, or from Amagi-amacha, a wild hydrangea whose leaves were dried for sweet tea used in medicine and Buddhist rites. The Amagi Tunnel, opened in 1907, became famous through Kawabata Yasunari's novel The Izu Dancer.
Hiking trails begin at several parking areas around the mountain, with the main route from Amagi-juusou-tozanguchi covering about 8 kilometers (5 miles). The paths climb through forested terrain, so sturdy shoes and some stamina help.
The name Amagi may derive from amagi-amacha, a hydrangea variety whose sweet leaves were once dried for tea and Buddhist rites. The mountain's heavy rainfall, over 4,500 mm a year at the official gauge, also supports the theory that the name comes from "rain tree".
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