Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The Eye of God at Newchurch in Pendle
St. Govor’s Well.
St. Govor’s Well
Shivsrushti
Pierced domes of Hammam Seffarine.
Hammam Seffarine
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è pasta... E pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
Cesare al Pellegrino
Romans insist you should feel the cracked peppercorns and cheese grains on your tongue.
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Tripe is fried to a crisp.
L’Osteria della Trippa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Grasshopper Chapel and grounds.
How the Rocky Mountain Locust Plague Spawned Federal Disaster Relief
3 days ago
The Guy Bradley Visitor Center at Flamingo in Everglades National Park.
America’s First Game Warden Died Fighting for the Birds
3 days ago
Echo Park Time Travel Mart.
Atlas Obscura Presents: Traveling Back in Time for Coconut Cake With The Sporkful
4 days ago
One of the PATH’s many entrances.
A Supposedly Boring Mall I Might Actually Visit Again
5 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Japan Mount Ishimaki

Mount Ishimaki

A long-worshipped mountain, considered a "power spot" and suspected to be an ancient pyramid by some.

Toyohashi, Japan

Added By
Fred Cherrygarden
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Mount Ishimaki, Aichi Prefecture.   Mikkabie
Mount Ishimaki, Aichi Prefecture.   Mikkabie
Mount Ishimaki, seen from the Fujimi-iwa.   Alpsdake
Mount Ishimaki.   Alpsdake
The limestone peak of Mount Ishimaki.   Alpsdake
The Natural Scientific Museum.   Alpsdake
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Mount Ishimaki is an unusual mountain. Historically, it has been a subject of worship, and many a legend has been told over the centuries. According to one, those who climb to the top are said to be reborn into their new selves. It may also have been a place where Shugendō priests practiced their search for enlightenment.

Another legend is linked to Daidarabotchi, a mythological giant whose stories have been told across Japan since the eighth century. His alleged footprint can be found on the mountainside, believed to have been made when he urinated to create the Toyo River, one foot on Mount Ishimaki and the other on Mount Hongū, about 12.5 miles apart. There is a sign indicating the site, but it also explains that the "footprint" is actually a creation of erosion in a mass of limestone.

There is also a small cave where a giant white serpent is said to have lived in. A long time ago, when people from the nearby village climbed Mount Ishimaki to pray for rain, the serpent emerged and told them to build a shrine, a common trope in Japanese folklore. Right after the shrine was founded, water sprang from between the rocks and the village was saved from drought.

This spring is believed to be what is known today as the Konoshiro Pond on the mountainside of Ishimaki. It is still drinkable, and local people believe that the water gives whoever drinks it immunity from diseases, disasters, and accidents. Today, it is also known as a "power spot," visited by those who wish for the fulfillment of love.

Mount Ishimaki is also known today for numerous ghost and UFO sightings. This led to the urban legend that the mountain is not a natural creation, but an ancient artificial pyramid, perhaps built by extraterrestrials. Of course, such theories have not been confirmed.

A large part of Mount Ishimaki is formed by limestone, and such plants as spirea and pteridophytes that grow on its summit have been designated as a National Natural Monument. On the mountain are a shrine, a museum of natural science, hot springs, and a ryokan (inn).

Related Tags

Ufos Legends History & Culture Sacred Spaces Mountains
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Hidden Japan: Sado Island, Nara & Kyoto

Explore a different side of Japan.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Fred Cherrygarden

Published

July 4, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://bqspot.com/tokai/aichi/6739
  • https://shinreisanpo.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-22.html
  • https://mypace-freelife.com/?p=1697
Mount Ishimaki
Unnamed Road
Toyohashi
Japan
34.789392, 137.459424
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Takeshima Fantasy Museum

Gamagori, Japan

miles away

Okehazama Battlefield

Nagoya, Japan

miles away

Satsuki and Mei's House

Nagakute, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Japan

Japan

Asia

Places 786
Stories 110

Nearby Places

Takeshima Fantasy Museum

Gamagori, Japan

miles away

Okehazama Battlefield

Nagoya, Japan

miles away

Satsuki and Mei's House

Nagakute, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Japan

Japan

Asia

Places 786
Stories 110

Related Places

  • Cairn T

    Ballineale, Ireland

    Loughcrew Cairns

    These Neolithic burial mounds and a still-intact passage tomb may have solar calendar significance on the spring and autumn equinoxes.

  • Taputapuatea marae

    Raiatea, French Polynesia

    Marae Taputapuātea

    This sacred enclave was once considered the religious center of Eastern Polynesia.

  • ‘Ajdovska Deklica’ (‘Heathen Maiden’)

    Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

    'Ajdovska Deklica' ('Heathen Maiden')

    An unmistakable facial pareidolia in the Julian Alps also includes a fantastic tale.

  • Ame-no-Sakahoko on the summit of Mount Takachiho.

    Miyakonojo, Japan

    Ame no Sakahoko

    This mythical weapon stuck on the mountaintop is also the site of the first honeymoon in Japan's history.

  • Budhanilkantha

    Budhanilkantha, Nepal

    Budhanilkantha

    This representation of Lord Vishnu is the largest stone sculpture in Nepal.

  • St Mary’s Church with bed bug weather vane on the upper left pole

    Kingsclere, England

    The Kingsclere Bed Bug

    After a night ravaged by bedbugs, it's said King John ordered the creation of this weathervane.

  • Church of Transfiguration, Mount Tabor.

    Shibli, Israel

    Mount Tabor

    This dome-shaped mountain boasts amazing views and has a rich religious history.

  • Los Ojos de la Mora.

    Cuenca, Spain

    Los Ojos de la Mora

    Two large eyes painted anonymously on a mountain overlooking the city pay homage to an old legend.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.