Mount Daisen

Mount Daisen (大山, Daisen) is a large, volcanic mountain that rises up from sea level to dominate the terrain of western Tottori Prefecture. Part of Daisen-Oki National Park, the 1729 meter high mountain is the tallest in the Chugoku Region and is included on the list of Japan's 100 famous mountains. Daisen has not erupted for several thousand years.

As the most prominent mountain far and wide, Daisen has long been a spiritual icon and a center of mountain worship. Daisenji Temple, whose buildings are spread out along the wooded slope and are connected by mountain trails, was built near the base of the mountain and is an important Buddhist temple. Additionally, the Ogamiyama Shrine is found further up the trail above the temple.

Daisenji Temple is also the trailhead of the popular climb up Mount Daisen. The top of the mountain is made up of a ridge with several peaks, the highest of which, Kengamine Peak (1729 m), lies along an unstable knife's edge ridge that has been closed since an earthquake eroded the trail in 2000. Instead hikers can climb as far as the nearby Misen Peak (1709 m).

The trail to Misen Peak is about four kilometers long and takes a strenuous three hours to climb as it is mostly made up of steep stairs. The first section of the trail leads through thick beech forests until hikers are eventually rewarded by spectacular views over the surrounding landscape about half way up the mountain. The last few hundred meters of the trail lead along a series of wooden boardwalks set above the alpine plants and grasses near the summit.

A separate network of hiking trails connects Daisenji Temple with multiple lower peaks on the northeastern side of Daisen. The hiking courses vary in length and difficulty level, and some of them are not suitable for beginners. The mountain is typically covered by snow from late November to late April and provides some of western Japan's best ski slopes.

Around late October and early November, the maple and beech forests that cover the mountain slopes turn brilliant shades of autumn colors. One of the best places to view the leaves is from a parking lot at Kagikake-toge Pass south of the mountain (not reachable by public transportation).