Mt. Katsuragi

Rising 959 meters on the border of Nara and Osaka prefectures, Mt. Katsuragi is best known for its spectacular rhododendron bloom in mid-May, when the summit turns into a vivid carpet of pink and red. A ropeway runs to the top, making it accessible without a strenuous hike, though several walking trails offer a more immersive approach through ancient cedar forests. Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples dot the mountain's base and slopes, including Katsuragi Hitokotonushi Shrine. The summit views stretch across the Yamato Plain on clear days.