Mount Horaiji

Mt. Horaiji is a mountain rising 695 meters above sea level in Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture. The temple on the mountain is said to have been opened by the ascetic Rishu Sennin in 702. The mountain is designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and a Natural Monument. The area is inhabited by a species of scops owl known as the Eurasian scops owl, or when the name is literally translated means ‘sound of the Buddha’. It is also famous for its beautiful autumn leaves. At the top of the 1,425 stone steps leading up from the foot of the mountain is the ancient Horaiji Temple. Halfway up is the Gate of Deva, built by the third Tokugawa Shogun, Idemitsu, and now an Important Cultural Property of the country. One of the sights to look out for is the umbrella shaped cedar tree, 60 meters tall and 800 years old.