Mt. Omine and Shugendo

Sacred Site of Shugendo

Mt. Omine (Sanjo-ga-take) is the sacred site of Shugendo said to have been opened by En no Gyoja of the Asuka period. Omine Sanjeji at the summit still maintains the prohibition on women, with yamabushi (mountain ascetics) and Shugendo practitioners performing rigorous training year-round.

Okugake-michi Trail

The about 170km training path "Okugake-michi" from Yoshino through Mt. Omine to Kumano's three shrines is included in the UNESCO World Heritage "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." Walking this path is considered the highest training of Shugendo.

Dorokawa Onsen

Dorokawa Onsen at the foot of Mt. Omine is a historical hot spring resort where yamabushi and Shugendo practitioners have stayed. A quiet hot spring village retaining old-style hot spring inns with traditional architecture.

Tenkawa Daibendzaiten-sha

Tenkawa Daibendzaiten-sha in Tenkawa Village, Nara, is a power spot known as the deity of performing arts. Worshipped by artists and performers nationwide, this remote shrine with mystical atmosphere is said to be accessible only to those "called" to it.