Mt. Myoko
Mt. Myoko (Myoko-san), rising to an elevation of 2,454 meters, is a prominent peak located in Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture, near the border with Nagano Prefecture. It is the main peak of the Myoko Volcanic Group.
The name of the mountain has its origins in the old name "Koshino Nakayama." It is believed that "Nakayama" was once written as "名香山" which, when read phonetically, became "Myoko-san." The mountain is also known as "Mount Meru," a moniker shared with the highest mountain in the Buddhist world.
Near the summit stands the Sekiyama Shrine, which according to legend, was founded in 708 by the priest Gyoko. The shrine, holding three sacred bodies, has long been the center of the Myoko mountain worship. Although the Hojoin Yashiki, once present here, was lost due to policies enacted during the Meiji period, the shrine still houses a statue of Holy Kannon brought from Silla, designated as a cultural property of Niigata Prefecture.
Mt. Myoko is the source of the Seki River, a major river in Niigata. Waters from Minami Jigoku Valley flow to form the Shiratani River, and those from the west side's Okura Valley join with the North Jigoku Valley to become the Ota River, flowing into the Seki River. The mountain is a stratovolcano with a double cone structure, surrounded by an outer rim.
Flora is diverse; from Ike-no-daira to Akakura, you can find white birch and larch trees, while from Seki to Tsubame, horse chestnuts, and beech trees are prevalent. The summit region hosts alpine species like Japanese rowan and Miyama birch. Near the mountain trails, you can find skunk cabbage and Kurumayuri lilies flourishing in the crater's marshes and in the Nagasuke Pond.
As a historical site of pilgrimage, records from the Edo period show that Mt. Myoko was frequented by worshippers. Today, popular routes include those starting from Tsubame Onsen and Asahi, passing through North Jigoku Valley, and ascending to Tengudou and Oizuridaira. The descent passes Nagasuke Pond and Kogane-shimizu Spring, returning to Tsubame Onsen, taking about three hours from the summit.
*Before heading out on a hike, make sure to stay updated with the latest information on trails and other important details.