Mt. Oyama

Rising above Isehara City in Kanagawa Prefecture, Mt. Oyama has been considered a sacred peak since ancient times, but it was during the Edo period that “Oyama Mairi,” or pilgrimages to the mountain, became a cultural phenomenon. Edo’s population topped one million during this period, and reportedly as many as 200,000 people made the journey to Mt. Oyama each year. Worshippers came to pray for rain, abundant harvests, and good fortune in business, but they also enjoyed Mt. Oyama as a kind of short trip—close enough to Edo for a short journey, often paired with visits to Enoshima on the way home. The spectacle of pilgrims traveling in groups, carrying giant wooden swords to dedicate at the shrine, even became the subject of kabuki plays and ukiyo-e images.
That lively tradition continues to this day. Visitors ascend the mountain in ceremonial robes, guided by sendoshi, the owners of the temple lodgings whose families have welcomed visitors for generations. Many temple lodgings also serve meals featuring tofu, a specialty of Mt. Oyama. Along the approach, shops sell local crafts such as the spinning “Oyama koma” top, a good-luck charm. From the summit, the sweeping views over Sagami Bay and Mount Fuji offer the same reward that drew people from Edo here centuries ago—a mix of faith and natural wonder unique to Mt. Oyama.