prologue

Not just the river! A country full of mountains! Japan!

Most of Japan’s land is made up of mountains and plateaus.
Approximately 70% of Japan’s area is mountainous, and it is said that there is little flatland.
Japan has vast plains such as the Kanto Plain and the Nobi Plain, but these are only part of the country.
The proportion of Japan’s land area is approximately 25%.
This is a very low number compared to European countries.
On average, European countries are about 60% flat.
Japan can be said to be a country characterized by many mountainous areas and little flatland.
Let’s compare it with Europe, which actually has a lot of flat land.

The difference is obvious.

If you take a closer look at Japan’s topography on Google Maps, you will see that there are narrow plains and basins between the mountains, and towns and villages are dotted there.
In this way, Japan’s population is concentrated in a limited amount of flat land.
I believe that the reason why Japanese houses are said to be small is due to water bodies such as rivers and lakes, as I introduced last time, but I think the main reason is the large number of mountains.
Mountains are deeply connected to Japan’s nature and culture, and while they provide beautiful scenery and a rich ecosystem, they are also a factor that limits human living space.
We will introduce some of the most famous mountains in Japan, which has many mountains.

Fuji Mountain

The highest mountain in Japan with an altitude of 3776m
Isn’t it the most famous mountain in Japan?
Mt. Fuji is a symbolic figure deeply connected to Japan’s mountain beliefs and culture.
It often appears in classical Japanese literature and works of art, and is loved by many people both domestically and internationally.
Especially in folk tales such as “Kaguyahime,” Mt. Fuji is depicted as a place with mysterious powers.
Mt. Fuji is located on the border of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, and its beautiful appearance can be seen from both prefectures.
However, residents of both prefectures claim that “Mount Fuji is ours,” and compete with each other, saying, “The view of Mount Fuji from our prefecture is more beautiful.”
At the top of Mt. Fuji is the inner shrine of Japan’s oldest shrine, Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha.
This shrine is the headquarters of approximately 1,300 Sengen shrines across Japan, and plays an important role as the center of Mt. Fuji worship.

IbukiMountain

Mount Ibuki stands at an altitude of 1,377m on the border between Shiga and Gifu prefectures.
It has appeared in Japanese mythology and Buddhist legends since ancient times, and has attracted many believers and climbers.
Mt. Ibuki is full of colorful flowers from spring to summer.
There is a toll road called Ibukiyama Driveway that allows you to reach the top of the mountain by car.
Also, at the Ibuki Yakuso no Sato Cultural Center, you can learn about the history, culture, and nature of Mt. Ibuki.
Mt. Ibuki is an attractive tourist destination with rich natural scenery and deep history.

Tateyama

Tateyama is 3015m above sea level.
Located in the northern part of the Hida Mountains in Gifu Prefecture, the Hida Mountains are also called the Northern Alps.
Many peaks are connected around Tateyama Honmine, creating a magnificent landscape.
In this way, Tateyama is also called the Tateyama Mountain Range, as it is a mountain massif consisting of multiple peaks.
Tateyama is rich in nature and offers beautiful scenery in each season.

Takao Mountain

Takao Mountain is 599m above sea level
It is located in Hachioji City, Tokyo.
It is located approximately 50 kilometers from the city center and is easily accessible by train or bus, making it a popular spot for casual mountain climbing.
It is registered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most visited mountain in the world, with an astonishing number of over 2.6 million climbers each year.
Takao Mountain is a fascinating place where you can experience not only nature but also culture and history.
In 2007, it was awarded the highest rating of three stars in the Michelin travel guide.
Takao Mountain is home to many historical buildings, including Takao Mountain Yakuo-in, one of the oldest temples in Japan, and Takao Mountain Fudoson, which is designated as an important cultural property of the country.
You can also see beautiful flowers and autumn leaves in each season.
Takao Mountain has a wide variety of courses that can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to experts.
Lifts and cable cars are also available, so you can plan your climb according to your physical strength.
Takao Mountain is a wonderful mountain where you can fully enjoy Tokyo’s nature and culture.

Hiei Mountain

Hiei Mountain is 848m above sea level
It is located on the border between Shiga Prefecture and Kyoto.
This mountain is home to Enryakuji Temple, the head temple of the Tendai sect, which played an important role in the history of Japanese Buddhism.
Enryakuji Temple has had a deep relationship with the imperial court and samurai families since the Heian period, and has been involved in many historical events.
Hiei Mountain can be easily climbed by cable car and ropeway, and from the top you can enjoy beautiful views of Lake Biwa.
Hiei Mountain is a tourist spot filled with history and natural charm.

It’s surprisingly far because there are many mountains

In Japan, which is mountainous, there are many cases where you have to take a detour when actually moving, even if the straight-line distance is short.
This can be said to be one of the typical situations in Japan.
For example, the straight-line distance from Tokyo to Nagoya is about 260 kilometers, but when traveling by Shinkansen, you travel a distance of about 350 kilometers.
This is because you can’t run in a straight line due to the influence of terrain such as mountains and rivers.
Thus, in Japan, even though it’s close in a straight line, it can take a tremendous amount of time to actually get there due to the mountains.

Historical influence

The mountainous terrain has also influenced history.
In regions surrounded by mountains, the power of the central government weakened, and local autonomy increased.
If it were a plain, you could win a decisive battle once and push through all at once.
However, fortresses built using mountains have higher defensive power than castles on flat land, and even if they boasted overwhelming military power, it is not easy to capture them.
Therefore, many feudal lords and small countries continued to exist.
In this way, the abundance of mountains played an important role in Japanese history.

Blessings of the mountains?Hot springs

The fact that there are many mountainous areas means that volcanic activity is also active.
This volcanic activity can heat underground water, which can spring up as hot springs.
As a result, Japan has become one of the world’s leading hot spring powers.
Throughout Japan, there are many famous hot spring areas such as Hakone, Beppu, Gero, and Ibusuki.
These hot spring areas each have unique spring qualities and effects, providing healing and health to many people.
In addition, hot spring areas are rich in attractive tourist spots such as history, culture, nature, and food.
Although it is impossible to list all these hot spring areas, they can be said to represent the hot spring culture of Japan.
The fact that Japanese people love baths may be partly due to the abundance of natural hot springs.

Epilogue