Last Updated: Mar 16, 2023

Mystical Mt. Myogi

One of Gunma’s Three Sacred Mountains

Welcome back to another one of my crazy adventures in Japan. Today, we’ll be taking a look at Mt. Myogi and Myogi Shrine, the ancient sanctuary that sits atop this mysterious mountain. Found in the westernmost reaches of Gunma Prefecture, Mt. Myogi rarely if ever pops up on the radars of overseas visitors to Japan. Together with Mt. Haruna and Mt. Akagi, the topic of today’s article comprises Gunma’s trinity of famous mountains. Collectively known as the “Mountains of Jomo,” the weather-battered Mt. Myogi is a stark contrast to its siblings as well the hot springs that Gunma is best known for.

As is the case with many of Japan’s other major peaks, Mt. Myogi was historically a syncretic center of mountain worship that was centered around Myogi Shrine. Even today, you can still see all sorts of lingering evidence of this ascetic practice. For example, the many hiking courses that today snake their way up Mt. Myogi’s unusual rock formations were once routes used by the adherents of yesteryear. As you’ll see for yourself if you check some of the trails that begin behind the main shrine building, even hardcore hiking enthusiasts will be thoroughly challenged by vertical walls of sheer rock.