The Gyoja Mountain Trail

Mountain climbing became popular in Japan during the late 1920s and early 1930s. On January 4th, 1937, Katsuma Kennosuke led his Shimonoseki Alpine Group to the summit of Mt. Daisen through Gyoja Valley, making them the first climbers to reach the top via this route. This trail was then used frequently by climbers, but weathering and landsides along the mountain’s north face eventually led to its closure. In 1988 the old trail was replaced by the new Gyoja Mountain Trail, which is still in use today.