Mount Kurokami

What it is

• A 516-meter mountain bordering Takeo City and Arita Town in Saga Prefecture.
• A former training ground for Shugendo practitioners since the Kamakura period.
• Designated as the first prefectural natural park in Saga in 1937.
• Recognized as one of the New 100 Famous Japanese Mountains.

What to see

• The Tendo-iwa rock formation located at the mountain summit.
• Black Hair Shrine and Daichi-in Temple situated on the slopes.
• National natural monument habitats for the rare Kaneko-shida fern.
• Unique local flora including Kurokami-ran and Kurokami-shiraitoso orchids.
• The Ryumon no Shimizu water source listed among Japan's exquisite waters.
• Chains, ladders, and ropes used to navigate the steep climbing routes.

Getting there

• The nearest railway access is via JR Mimasaka Station.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.