Tenkawa Village Sightseeing Page
- World Heritage
- For Intermediate-level Mountain Hikers
- Only men allowed to enter
Mount Sanjo-gatake
Mount Omine (or Sanjo-gatake), with an elevation of 1719 meters, is the birthplace of Shugendo, a mountain asceticism practice, founded by En-no Gyoja. It boasts a majestic presence as a training ground of Shugendo. Some of the well-known challenging ascetic practices include “Kanekake-iwa,” climbing cliffs relying on chains on the rock wall and “Nishi-no Nozoki,” the rigorous training site, where practitioners are suspended upside down from a sheer cliff. At the summit, Ominesan-ji Temple, an Important Cultural Property at the highest altitude in Japan as well as a World Heritage Site, is located. During the mountain's open season (from May 3 to September 23), the mountain bustles with numerous Yamabushi (mountain ascetics) and climbers. Note: entry to Mount Sanjo-gatake is limited to males. Surrounding the main trailheads to Mount Sanjo-gatake, such as Omine Ohashi, Gobangaseki, Amidagamori, and Rengetsugi, there are barriers for women. Due to religious reasons, the entire area around Mount Sanjo-gatake is still restricted for women. During the excavation survey in 1984, numerous artifacts from the late Nara period (710-794) to the Heian period (794-1185) were unearthed. Two Buddha statues made of pure gold, in particular, tell the story of 1300 years of dignity and the value of this mountain. From the flower fields at the summit, visitors can overlook Mount Inamura-gatake and the Omine Okugake-michi, and enjoy the views of Mount Misen and Hakkyo-gatake.
Check out “YAMAP” for courses and other details provided by Tenkawa Village staff who walked this route.
*When mountain climbing, download a map from YAMAP, and check the course and your location for your safety.
*Due to religious reasons, entry to Mount Sanjo-gatake is limited to males.
*During the mountain’s open season (from May 3 to September 23), visitors can try the “One-day Yamabushi Training Experience” (reservation required at Dorogawa Onsen Tourist Information Center: Tel: 0747-63-0333) as well as “Kanekake-iwa” and “Nishi-no Nozoki” (required to be accompanied by a guide; Ryusen-ji Temple accommodation on Mount Sanjo-gatake). Custom-made tours can be arranged for individual visitors (visit the Nara Prefecture Visitors Bureau’s website).
*The “Renge-tsugi” course is a trail through rocky streambeds. There are sections where the mountain path may not be clearly defined. Pay special attention during the ascent, and if you are a mountain climbing beginner, it is recommended to take the ridge course provided in the link above.
[Access]
From Kawai Intersection on Route 309, take Prefectural Route 21 toward Dorogawa. You can park at the Omine Ohashi Parking Lot (fee required) at the end of Prefectural Route 21.
It is about 4 km (approx. 1 hour on foot) from the Dorogawa Onsen Bus Stop to the Omine Ohashi Bridge at the trailhead.
[How to Use YAMAP]
*When searching for a map, search for “Sanjo-gatake” and you will find the result as “Daifugen-dake, Sanjo-gatake, Inamura-gatake.”
Make use of YAMAP for guidance and navigation when visiting Mount Sanjo-gatake.
Ryusen-ji Temple Accommodation
This is a temple accommodation located on Mount Sanjo-gatake, part of the Omine mountain range. It is open from May 3 to September 21 and accepts general visitors (male only).
Tel: 0747-64-0001
https://goo.gl/maps/XHUDotMjG5aTyvT78
Reservation required; closed during winter
Read rules and manners for enjoying Tenkawa Village