Mount Minobu is located on the border of Minobu Town in the southern part of Yamanashi Prefecture and Hayakawa Town, with an altitude of 1,153 meters. Founded by Nichiren Shonin during the Kamakura period, it has a history of about 750 years and is also known as one of the three major sacred mountains of Japanese Buddhism.
What stands out from my visit are the grandeur of the main gate and the sanmon (temple gate), the overwhelming power of the Bodhi steps behind the sanmon, and the serenity and scenic views of the inner sanctuary, which can be reached by ropeway.
As you turn at the “Kuonji Entrance” intersection, the grand main gate appears. Further along the approach where lodging temples and souvenir shops line up, you are involuntarily halted by the majesty of the sanmon that towers on a higher ground.
Although it simply exists quietly under the chorus of cicadas and the dappled sunlight filtering through the cedar trees, it’s hard not to imagine what lies ahead, giving it an overwhelming presence. The stone steps, 287 in total, seem large. As you ascend them chanting “Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo”, by the 41st recitation, you’ll find yourself at the top, welcomed by Kuonji Temple.
From Kuonji, you can take the ropeway to the inner sanctuary. This ropeway, with the greatest elevation difference in the Kanto region of 756 meters, takes you up in about 7 minutes. While you can also walk to the inner sanctuary, it apparently takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Arriving at the inner sanctuary by ropeway, a cool and scenic different world from the land below awaits. On this day, while it was a scorching 35°C at the level of the main gate, the mountaintop was only about 27°C. Occasionally, a cool mountain breeze blows through. Furthermore, from the mountaintop, you can enjoy beautiful views. There are three observation decks where you can enjoy a grand panorama including the Southern Alps, the Fujikawa River, Mount Fuji, and the Izu Peninsula.
Mount Minobu is located along National Route 52, which connects Fuji City in Shizuoka Prefecture and Kai City in Yamanashi Prefecture. This Route 52 is an ancient road called the Sunshu Highway. On this journey of the Sunshu Highway, you’ll progress while enjoying the beautiful views of the Southern Alps to the west and the Fujikawa River to the east. If traveling by train, you would use the JR Minobu Line connecting Shizuoka Prefecture’s Fuji City and Yamanashi Prefecture. Minobu Station is the nearest station.
This page was translated by GPT-4 from URL.
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