MONT MITOKU

Inscribed as a Japan Heritage Site, Mount Mitoku is a sacred mountain with a remarkable history and is said to be home to the kami (gods) and Buddhas. This sacred place of shugendō, a thousand-year-old spiritual tradition of osmosis between man and nature, is said to have the gift of purifying the body and mind of those who visit it. Legend has it that 1300 years ago, the traditional founder of shugendō, En no Gyōja, threw three lotus petals into the sky and added: "Go and fall where the gods and Buddhas are". One of them would then have fallen on Mount Mitoku, marking the beginning of the sacred link between the mountain and the shugendō. Since that remote time, the steep paths of Mitoku have been used by monks and pilgrims who come here to purify themselves. The topography of the place combined with the unique architecture of the buildings scattered in the nature gives Mitoku a powerful and mysterious character. Traditionally, the ascetics used to bathe in the waters of Misasa before climbing the mountain. According to them, this ritual made it possible to intensify the rokkon shôjô, the purification of the six origins of Buddhist perception: eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind. This ascent still fascinates pilgrims and visitors from all over the world today. The path to the Nageire-dō, the culmination of the ascent, is a unique experience punctuated by steep paths, steep trails and other obstacles to overcome. Built on the precipice of a cave dug into the rock, the Nageire-dō is a most fascinating and surprising place of worship. It is difficult to understand, even today, how such an architectural feat could have been built. The origin of its construction could be attributed to En no Gyōja, who, thanks to his Buddhist powers, launched the temple into the mountain. The translation of Nageire-dō, the embedded temple, then takes on its full meaning. This national treasure concludes the ascent of Mount Mitoku in beauty, an ascent that is not at all restful. Certain rules must be applied to the letter. It is imperative to be accompanied, to wear suitable footwear (strict control is ensured), not to eat in the mountain and to respect these sacred places. In bad weather, the ascent is obviously forbidden and it is advisable to travel light, several obstacles, such as roots and chains to help you climb, mark out the route.