Mount Minakami

What it is

• A 659-meter high andesite lava dome volcano formed 300,000 years ago.
• A historical base for Shugendo practitioners located in Nagano City.
• The site of a large elliptical collapse structure hidden beneath the mountain.
• A geological landmark that rose one meter during the Matsushiro earthquake swarm.

What to see

• Minakami Shrine located at the very summit of the mountain.
• Iwato Shrine situated along the slopes of the volcano.
• Numerous underground bunkers dug into the mountain during World War II.
• A rare low-altitude breeding pond used by local salamanders.
• A volcanic rock layer approximately 150 meters thick.

When to go

• The local community holds a Pyramid Festival every May fifth.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.