Japan (3,015 m and 2,072 m) – Two of the Sacred Mountains of Japan
Mount Tate and Mount Haku are two of the Three Sacred Mountains of Japan. The third is the unquestionably more famous Mount Fuji outside of Tokyo. Together these mountains are among the most important natural sites associated with the Shinto religion. The names of Tate and Haku mean “Standing” and “White”, respectively.
Although Fuji is better known and more visited, it is Tate that is the most sacred of the three. Easily accessible by train from the nearby city of Toyama, much of the mountain can be ascended by public transportation. At its peak is the famous Oyama Shrine, renowned for its hospitality towards those who successfully complete the hike to the top.
The less accessible and visited Haku is believed to be an inactive volcano, but may be merely dormant. It too is home to a very important religious site, the Shirayama Hime Shrine, the one of the chief temples in Japan.
Leave a Reply