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Mt. Haku-san, whose
altitude is 2,702 meters, gives off a dignified
atmosphere, extending over four prefectures. As
soon as the snow melts in spring, the mountain is
ornamented with small alpine plants featuring different
colors including pink, purple, blue and white along
the trekking route to its summit. Driving along
Hakusan Scenic Road (Super Forest Road), available
for only four months of the year, you will be captivated
by the constant transition of colors that autumn
leaves display from stunning red to yellow like
gradation as it gets colder and colder day by day. |
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Renowned as one
of "Japan's Three Most Famous Mountains"
- The other two are Mt. Fuji and Mt. Tateyama -
Mt. Haku-san has been revered since ancient times.
Haku-san Hime Shrine, located at the foot of the
mountain, worships Mt Haku-san as the water god,
playing its pivotal role as the leader of other
3,000 shrines throughout Japan that also worship
Mt. Haku-san. Since the mountain was discovered
by a high priest about 1300 years ago, it has been
a venue for priests to seclude themselves to practice
severe asceticism. A great many legends have been
handed down since long ago in this region. |
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Surprisingly, some
people used to reside in the mountain, in spite
of its heavy snowfall of five meters or more in
winter until 50 years ago. They lived a self-sufficient
life by gathering plants and nuts, developing the
land and keeping silkworms. We can still learn a
great deal from their wisdom of living in the abundant
nature by taking full advantage of what is available
there. |
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