The other day, I finally climbed Mount Ryuo, a place I'd been curious about for a while. It began with a community-wide cleanup event in the morning, where we were busy clearing overgrown weeds from the neighborhood. After finishing up early, I thought, "Now, where can I hike today?" and started flipping through my collection of Kansai mountain guidebooks. That's when it hit me - why not go to Mount Ryuo? After a late brunch, I made my way to the Mausoleum of Emperor Sujin. This mausoleum is the burial place of Emperor Sujin, the 10th emperor of Japan. It's managed by the Imperial Household Agency and isn't open to the public, but it's quite large and has a serene atmosphere. I took the path beside it and started my ascent. Since it was around noon and scorching hot, I mentally prepared myself to be drenched in sweat by the time I reached the summit.
The intense sun I had been concerned about turned out to be absent, and the hiking trail through the wooded area was quite pleasant, making for a cool and enjoyable walk. It seems like a place where you can hike even in the height of summer without risking heatstroke.
Along the way, there were signs with cute mascot dolls, adding a warm touch to the journey.
Mount Ryuo has been known as a sacred mountain called the “Mountain Where Souls Return” since ancient times. It boasts over 300 circular mounds and horizontal burial chambers known as the Ryuo-san Kofun Group, making it the largest in Nara Prefecture.
There are also stone statues, making it a mountain with plenty of attractions.
Furthermore, the summit of the mountain is also the site of the Ryuo-san South Castle Ruins. The panoramic views of the Yamato Sanzan (Three Mountains of Yamato), the Kongō and Ikoma mountain ranges, and more were surprisingly breathtaking.
I realized that this mountain is cherished by the locals. I look forward to hiking and exploring Mount Ryuo again in the future.
