Mount Ushiro

What it is

• The highest mountain peak in Okayama Prefecture standing 1344 meters above sea level
• A center for Shugendo practice founded by the legendary figure En-no-Gyoja
• Part of the Hyonosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan Quasi-National Park spanning two cities
• Home to Dosen-ji Temple which was established between 1249 and 1255

What to see

• Over fifty different ascetic training sites scattered across the mountain slopes
• The Dosen-ji Okunoin area where women are traditionally prohibited from entering
• The mountain summit located within the boundaries of Mimasaka City

When to go

• September 7 and 8 for the annual fire ritual held on the mountain

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.