Mt. Daisen

Highest peak in the Chugoku region at 1,729 meters and has been a center of mountain worship for over 1,300 years, listed among Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. From the south, its profile resembles Mt. Fuji closely enough to earn the nickname Hoki Fuji, but from other angles the mountain reveals steep lava-dome cliffs and a different character entirely. The Natsuyama trail from Daisenji Temple at the base takes about three hours to reach Misen Peak, passing through Western Japan's largest beech forest before emerging onto wooden summit boardwalks with sea views. In autumn, the beech forest turns gold and red. Several ski resorts operate on the mountain's lower slopes in winter.