Top Page	Mountains, Valleys & Waterfalls
Mt. Shirataki (226m)
Shigei Town, Onomichi City
白滝山 尾道市重井町
Map	A view from the top of Mt. Shirataki on Innoshima Island
The 227-meter Shirataki mountain is located in the northern part of Innoshima Island which is linked with the mainland by two bridges, Shin-Onomichi Ohashi Bridge above the Onomichi Channel and Innoshima Ohashi Bridge over the Strait of Mekari. Both bridges are part of the "Shimanami-kaido Expressway. Innoshima was once a stronghold of a naval force, originally said to be pirates, called " Innoshima Murakami". From the Muromachi period (1392～1573) to the Azuchi-momoyama period (1573～1600), they were so powerful that they took control of waters of the Inland Sea. The Innoshima Murakami built more than ten castle-like forts on hills at every cape around this island, and constructed a mountain castle on the 277-meter Mt.Aokage to supervise these forts. They controlled two important sea lanes, the Onomichi Channel and the Strait of Mekari, and they imposed a " by the sail-money", a kind of a transit tax, over ships passing these watercourses according to the size of sails or the bulk of loads. It is said they even sailed overseas to such places as Korea, China and Southeast Asia to trade with them, flying flags which had writing on them that read, "Hachiman Daibosatsu (八幡大菩薩)", a name of a god. It is said that they were notorious so Chinese people in the Min Dynasty (1368～1644) referred to them as "Bahan(八幡)" or "Wako(倭寇)" which imply Japanese pirates. Mt.Shirataki, which commands a splendid 360-degree panoramic view, will be an easy 45-minute walk from Shigei-nishi Port. At the foot of the mountain is a prefectural botanical garden, Innoshima Flower Center, which grows about 100,000 plants of 300 species including tropical plants and fruits in the greenhouse. On the mountaintop, where rock is piled up in many folds stands the Kannon (the Goddess of Mercy) Hall which was built by the Murakami Clan about 430 years ago. Some 700 stone images of Buddha line up along the one-kilometer sando approach to the hall which includes "Gohyaku-Rakan", 500 Buddha statues. Each Buddha's face is different. At the end of the Edo period(1603～1867), Denroku Kashihara, who was a native of Innoshima, sculpted them. It is said that he had been religious since he was young, and his faith deepened greatly after he almost died, and he made up his mind to carve them. He went up the mountain and stayed in the Kannon Hall, and made them with the help of his two disciples. After each chisel stroke he bowed three times so his religious mind and faith is deeply inscribed on these images. Getting there: Take a 40-minute ferry ride for Shigei-nishi Port from Mihara Port. From the port, head for Innoshima Flower Center. Mt.Shirataki is a 30-minute walk from there. Suggested schedule: Hiroshima Sta.(7:45)==(Sanyo Line)==Mihara Sta.(8:58)---Mihara Port(9:25)=== ==(Ferry)==Innoshima,Shigei-nishi Port(10:05)---Innoshima Flower Center--- ---Mt.Shirataki(11:00-12:30)---Innoshima Ohashi(14:55)===(Bus)=== ===Onomichi Sta.(15:23-15:41)===(Sanyo Line)===Hiroshima Sta.(17:15) Note: To be safe, especially in winter, keep in mind not go into the mountains alone, and be sure to go with a well-experienced hiker.