What is Mt Kumotori?
Mt. Kumotori is a 2,017.13-meter-high mountain located on the border of Tokyo, Saitama, and Yamanashi Prefectures. It is the highest peak in Tokyo and the only mountain in the city that rises above 2,000 meters.One of the representative mountains of the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park and one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan, it straddles Tokyo Metropolis and is the highest and westernmost mountain in Tokyo. The summit of the mountain is marked by a first-class triangular point. The summit has a good view of the surrounding mountains as well as Mt Kumotori. Together with Myoho-ga-dake and Shiraiwa-dake, it is one of the three peaks of the Sanbōzan mountain range. The summit borders Saitama Prefecture to the northwest and Yamanashi Prefecture to the southwest.It is a challenge to climb unless you are an experienced climber. The reason is that it is difficult to climb in one day and takes at least two days. However, the climbing itself is not difficult, and if you climb in the winter season, you will be able to see the beautiful snow-capped mountains from the top.
Origin of the name
The theory that this mountain from the Edo period illustration "Musashi Meisho Zue" is so high that you can reach the clouds and hold the clouds in your hands. In addition, the three peaks of Sanbōzan (Mt. Sanbōzan, Mt. Undori, Mt. Myōhōgatake, and Mt. Shiraiwa) have long been regarded as sacred mountains and a place for ascetic practices. Similarly, Mt. Oumotori, known as the site of Shugendo, is located in Kumano. Therefore, the theory is that the name was taken from Dai-undori-koshi and Ko-undori-koshi as a place for Shugendo ascetic practices.