Kasagi Pass

Point along the Choishi Michi, the ancient Stone Marker Trail that pilgrims and delivery workers climbed to reach Koyasan before the mountain roads were paved. The steep terrain made pack animals useless, so everything came up on foot, including the enormous stone choishi pillars that mark the trail and weigh several tons each. Villagers from Kasagi served as guides and porters, carrying daily necessities and offerings up the narrow paths. Today, hikers walk the same route through forest and steep switchbacks, passing the same stone markers that were laboriously carried here centuries ago as acts of devotion to Kukai, the founder of Koyasan.