Shiraki Pass

Mt. Mahiru

Mt. Mahiru has been popular as an object of faith for local residents since ancient times. From Prefectural Route 1, head towards the Minekoshi Forest Road and drive for 20 minutes to reach the Usagidaira trailhead. The area is surrounded by dense beech forests, allowing you to fully enjoy the natural surroundings, and if you take a walk along the river, you'll find countless beautiful waterfalls of all sizes that blend in well with the trees, creating a beautiful landscape that soothes your soul. June to early November

Sakamoto Shrine Kagura dedication

The Maegō Summer Festival, a festival held at Sakamoto Shrine in August, is a lively event with Sakamoto Kagura offerings, Bon dances, night stalls, and more. Sakamoto Kagura is a form of Yamabushi-style Kagura that has been passed down at Sakamoto Shrine, and legend has it that the Shinto priest Takahashi Uuchi invited Kagura master Zensuke from Fujine, Waga District, to learn it in 1859. It is said that of the 36 performances of Yamabushi Kagura, 12 were handed down to Sakamoto, and 12 each to Fujine and Iwasaki. Date: Early August

Mt. Minamihonnai

Mt. Minamihonnai (1,486m above sea level), which is also designated as part of Kurikoma Quasi-National Park, was discovered in 1978 as a mountain that was not on any map, and in 1981, author Fumihiko Nakatsu made this mountain his theme. He gained national recognition after writing ``Golden Quicksand,'' which won the 28th Edogawa Ranpo Award. Rare plants are also growing there, such as skunk cabbage, ryukinka, chinese plovers, and goldenrod blooming in the wetland halfway up the mountain. From the summit, you can see Mt. Iwate to the north, Mt. Hayachine to the east, Mt. Ushigata across the way, Mt. Chokai to the west, and the white peaks of Mt. Gassan in the distance to the south. Mountain opening at the end of June