Mt. Nekomadake

1,404-meter tall inactive volcano. It erupted around 400,000 years ago, causing the collapse of one of its peaks and the formation of lake Oguninuma. Mt. Nekomadake translates to “evil cat peak.” The name is thought to derive from several cat myths surrounding the mountain. The most common story describes a vicious cat that inhabited the mountain. It would prey on human flesh, disguising itself as a human to lure people closer. Buddhist monk Kukai (posthumous name Kobo Daishi; 774–835), is said to have trapped the cat within a massive pile of boulders on a lower peak of the mountain.