What is the "Long-Armed, Long-Legged" yokai of Mount Chokai? A legend says that it was defeated by the volcano god, Omokami-no-kami

Mount Chokai, straddling Akita and Yamagata prefectures, is one of Japan's 100 most scenic spots and is also counted among Japan's 100 most famous mountains. With an elevation exceeding 2,300 meters, its summit boasts a height so great that it seems to pierce above the clouds.

With a lot of snow accumulating in the winter and an abundance of hot springs surrounding it, it is loved by local residents as an important source of water, a sacred mountain that must be protected, a symbol of faith, and an important mountain that provides resources and helps with rice farming. When traveling along public roads and national highways from Sakata City in Yamagata Prefecture to Nikaho City in Akita Prefecture, you should be able to see the majestic figure of Mt. Chokai capped in clouds

Mount Chokai, known as one of the symbols of Akita and Yamagata prefectures, is not only a sacred mountain and a source of water, but also a treasure trove of magnificent scenery with many different faces. We will talk about the scenery of Mount Chokai that you should not miss on your trip to Tohoku

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The majestic "Dewa Fuji"! A beautiful view

Mount Chokai is a volcano that resembles Mount Fuji, a symbol of Japan, and is therefore also called "Dewa Fuji."

It boasts the second highest elevation in the Tohoku region, andperpetual snow (small glaciers)are formed near the summit.

The mountain path is rough with rocks, and there are many dangerous spots where you could slip and fall. There have actually been fatalities while climbing the mountain, but there is no end to the number of tourists climbing Mt. Chokai, as well as local residents. This is because the scenery and landscape that Mt. Chokai offers are magnificent

From the cloud-covered summit, you can get a panoramic view of the surrounding towns and cities, making you feel like you're looking at a diorama. On clear days, you can see even further, including Mt. Iwate, Shirakami-Sanchi, and even the Pacific Ocean in the distance

The mountain path to the summit is also filled with beautiful scenery. The contrast of colors created by the rocks, greenery, snow, and water is like a painting. What's more, the colors look different depending on the weather conditions, which makes mountains fascinating

Some mountain trails pass through the clouds. Climbers seem to get excited about the mysterious and romantic feeling of seeing the clouds that they've only ever seen from the ground floating right next to them

The mountain path leading to the summit is also a treasure trove of rare alpine plants, including day lilies, thistles, and bracken fern, delighting climbers

Alpine plants are extremely rare and valuable, so it is strictly forbidden to pick them or take them home. They are important plants that can be considered part of the mountain, which has long been an object of mountain worship for local residents. If you find one, you should only take a photograph of it and not keep it for yourself - this rule is true not only for Mt. Chokai but for all mountains in Japan. Mt. Chokai's nature is a treasure that has been carefully protected by people of the past and by local residents today

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The God and Monster of Mount Chokai, "Tenagaashinaga"

Mount Chokai has long been an object of mountain worship, attracting people's faith as a sacred mountain where gods reside within the mountain itself

enshrineddeity, "Ōmonoimi-no-kami,"is known as a god who purifies impurities and calamities, and it is said that the eruption is an expression of the god's anger.

On Mount Chokai, there is a legend about a terrifying monster called "Tenaga Ashinaga," which is said to have been vanquished by the god Omokami

What kind of yokai is Tenaga Ashinaga?

As its name suggests, Tenaga Ashinaga is a gigantic yokai (supernatural creature) with arms and legs so long they can reach the mountains

According to legend, it is said to have used its long arms to capture and devour people and travelers, and to have pulled ships sailing the Sea of ​​Japan towards it, causing them to sink. In some regions, it is said that it could extend its limbs from the summit of Mount Chokai to ships offshore, further emphasizing its immense size

These figures may have symbolized the fearsome threats posed by the turbulent Sea of ​​Japan and the erupting sacred Mount Chokai. However, their origins are not clearly understood, and there are various theories

A three-legged crow warned of danger

Seeing the suffering of the people at the hands of the yokai, the god Omokami sent a three-legged crow, his messenger

On days when long-armed and long-legged crows appear

"Ariya (Uya)"

On days when he doesn't show up

"Muya" (無や)

It is said that it cried out to warn people of danger

It is said that travelers and villagers relied on this cry to judge whether it was safe and to avoid the monsters as they traveled

The legend of the volcano god who defeated the monster

However, even then, the wicked deeds of the long-armed, long-legged creatures did not stop

It is said that the deity Ōmonoimi defeated the monster by causing a massive eruption of Mount Chōkai

This is a magnificent tale of monster slaying unique to Mount Chokai, depicting the volcano itself as a divine force

It is also said that a three-legged crow made a sound like "Yes" and "No," which is why Misaki Pass at the foot of Mount Chokai came to be known by the alternative name "Uyamuya no Seki" (the uncertain barrier)

It should be noted that there are various theories regarding the relationship between this legend and the word "uyamuya" (vague/ambiguous) as it is used today, and its etymology has not been definitively established

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lastly

Mount Chokai is a sacred mountain located on the border between Akita and Yamagata prefectures. Its abundant water source and majestic appearance, exceeding 2,000 meters in elevation, have long inspired awe and reverence in the local residents

Furthermore, Mount Chokai was a constant presence in everyday life, from rice cultivation to the scenery itself. For the local residents, it must remain a beloved mountain to this day

In recent years, Mt. Chokai has been attracting attention not only for its beautiful scenery, but also because a famous movie was shot at the shrine dedicated to the god of Mt. Chokai. If you want to see the scenery of Mt. Chokai, we recommend traveling to Yamagata and Akita prefectures. Be sure to see this beautiful sight, also known as Dewa Fuji!

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