Mt.Mikura, a beautiful three-spear-shaped mountain of granite, is situated in the north of Otake City which is 30 km west of Hiroshima City. These three spears are named respectively from the eastern lowest one as Morning sun, Middle, and Evening sun peaks, which is the highest, and well-known as a mecca for the lovers of rock climbing. It commands a magnificent 360-degree view from the western Chugoku mountains to the Seto Inland Sea. There are three trails called A, B and C courses to reach the mountaintop. To conquer all three peaks in order of height, we will take the B course for a 2.5-hour ascent, and we will take the A course for a 1.5-hour descent. This mountain area is designated as a Hiroshima prefectural nature park.

About 4 kilometers south of Mikura mountain is Jakuiiwa Rock, which is named after a legend that snakes from the mountain ate the rock. It is a big rock on the riverbed of the Ozegawa River, measuring 30 meters wide and 80 meters long , which has many strange giant kettles caused by water erosion over a long period of time. The rock is located at a meeting point between the river and a tributary to it, Kujima River. It is believed that small stones enter crevices of the riverbed rock of granite, a complex and strong current made the pebbles move around hard in it, and made many unique kettle-like holes.

◆Getting there

Go by car. Take Route 2 to Otake. Turn right and take Route 186 at Otake City municipal office to Kuritani, passing through Yasaka Dam. At Kuritani post office, turn right to the mountain.

◆Suggested Schedule

Hiroshima(8:40)===(Rte.2)===Otake===(Rte.186)===Kuritani===

===Mikuradake Open square(10:00)----Morning sun peak----Middle peak---

----Evening sun peak(12:30〜13:30)----Mikuradake Open square(15:00)----

===Jakuiiwa Rock(15:30〜16:00)===(Rte.186)===Yasaka Dam===Otake===

===(Rte.2)===Hiroshima(17:30)