| Top Page | Mountains, Valleys & Waterfalls |
|
Mt. Rengeji (374m) |
|
|
|
|
Aki-Nakano Aki Ward Hiroshima City | |
|
蓮華寺山 中野 | |
| Map | 88 stone Buddhist images are placed along the trail up Mt. Rengeji. |
|
Mt. Rengeji is at a convenient distance from JR Aki-Nakano Station of the Sanyo Line. Around the summit
of the mountain is a relaxation forest park. Cherry trees have been planted around the park and attract
many hikers especially during the hanami season.
It is said that Kobodaishi, a great teacher of Buddhism, built a key temple to propagate Shingon Buddhism in 808 at the top of this mountain, and named Rengeji which implies a lotus flower. It was also told that in 1221 a local ruler, Mitsutsuna Asonoma, made it a prayer hall, and it prospered as a center of Buddhism, but in 1527 his castle was attacked by Yoshitaka Ouchi and Motonari Mori, and this temple which was under his protection, was also burnt down, because he had changed from the Ouchi-Mori side to their enemy Tsunehisa Amako. The present temple, which was built in 1929, is situated at the foot of the mountain. There is a guideboard in front of Aki-Nakano station showing the way to the temple. First take a 10-minute walk up to the temple. From the grounds of the temple a two-kilometer mountain trail leads you to the mountaintop which was the original temple site. Mt. Rengeji will be a one hour ascent. You can overlook a splendid view of the city from the top. Getting there: Take a train on the Sanyo Line, and get off at Aki-Nakano Station. Suggested schedule: Hiroshima(9:15)==(Sanyo Line)==Aki-Nakano(9:28)---- ---Rengeji Temple(9:40)---Mt.Rengeji(11:00～12:30)--- ---Aki-Nakano(14:28)==(Sanyo Line)==Hiroshima Station(14:41) *Train timetables may be subject to change. Note: To be safe, especially in winter, keep in mind not to go into the mountains alone, and be sure to go with a well-experienced hiker. |
|