Mount Myōgi is one of the major mountains in the Gunma Prefecture, Japan. Well known for its rocks weathered into fantastic forms, this famous peak is ranked among Japan's three most noted places of rugged beauty. There are many hiking courses, and when the foliage changes color there are splendid views to be seen. The highest point is the pick of the Mt. Soumadake reaching 1.103 m. Mount Myōgi, along with Mount Akagi and Mount Haruna, is one of the "Three Mountains of Jōmō".
Overview
Mount Myogi is composed of many different mountains : Hakuun-zan, Kondou-san, Kinkei-san, Souma-dake, Mitake-san, Chousunokashira, Yakyu-san and others. Mount Myogi is generally separated in its south side and its north side. For instance, when looking at Kinkei-san from Shimonita, the mount is referred to as Nakano-take. Among the many mountains of Mount Myogi, which is already considered having a picturesque form, the landscape of Nakano-take is very particular. Along the slope of the mountain, there is a group of rocks with unique names that make it praised as one of the most beautiful mountains over Japan. The starting point of the hiking course going through those rocks is Nakano-dake shrine. The most famous temple of the divine mountain, Myogi shrine, is located on Hakuun-zan, on the east slope of Mount Myogi. During Edo period, people thought that the god of the mountain protected the population from fire and lightnings. Mount Fuji is located north-east of Mount Myogi. Mount Myogi is made out of volcanic rocks and conglomerates. It was formed 3 million years ago, at the same time as Mount Arafune located south-west, after a volcanic caldera. Later, the soft sedimentary layer is thought to have been eroded which gave the mountain its current rugged appearance. Mount Myogi is designated as one of Japan's Three Great Rare Scenic Beauties and was selected as one of the 100 Landscapes of Japan.
Hiking
The landscape being very rugged, many severe accidents and deaths were reported. As a consequence, Tomioka city imagined courses for beginners, intermediates and experienced hikers. In January 2010, Gunma prefecture officials, local authorities, the police, firemen and the hiking club discussed over the issue during the "Meeting for the establishment of preventive measures to avoid accidents in Mount Myogi and surrounding mountains". The proposition of the officials to forbid hiking was rejected by the locals who wished to continue hiking. Finally, all participants agreed to increase the number of chains and to improve the quality of the routes.
Use of the name "Myogi" in the prefecture
During sport festivals, many primary schools of the prefecture name their teams "Team Myogi", "Team Haruna" and "Team Asama" which refers to the "Three Mountains of Jōmō"
The three dormitories of Tomioka Silk Mill, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage since 2014, are also named "Myogi Dormitory", "Haruna Dormitory" and "Asama Dormitory"
Mount Myōgi is mentioned in the street racing manga, video game, and anime seriesInitial D. It is the home course of the racing team called the Myogi Night Kids, and is the setting for three races in the anime and manga.
1900 Massacre
On 7 February 1900 a Japanese man killed seven people at the shrine in Myōgi, Japan. The man grabbed a sword from a policeman, killed the chief priest and three attendants, and then turned against the crowd who had rushed to the scene, murdering three other people, before he himself was killed.
