HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Hiking Tour of Sacred Mt. Horaiji
Uncover 1,300 years of cultural history and spiritual significance on this day hike of a “temple mountain”
Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture
Trek through the forests of sacred Mt. Horaiji in Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture. Discover the legacy of over a millennium of Buddhist worship on this sacred mountain, first used for spiritual training to reach enlightenment by the hermit monk Rishu.
In 703 the emperor made the entire mountain a temple as a sign of gratitude for recovering from an illness thanks to Rishu’s prayers. According to legend, the monk flew to his aid on the back of a phoenix, and the “temple mountain” takes its name from this legendary creature.
Follow in the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims as your guide takes you on a private tour to scenic lookouts, the mountain temple and shrine, through mossy forest trails, and down part of the ancient 1,425 hand-carved stone steps. Enjoy a bento lunch made by a local restaurant near the summit for a meal with a view.
This tour runs from October to June and covers approximately 6-7 kilometers on foot. The guide will meet you at Toyohashi Station and take you on the JR Iida Line train to Mt. Horaiji to start the hike.
How to get there
The tour starts at Toyohashi Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line (about 80 minutes from Tokyo Station, about 2 hours from Shin-Osaka Station).
1-Horaiji Kadoya, Shinshiro-shi, Aichi-ken
