Travelers share the Ontake Kodo with spiritual practitioners, the local community, and the mountain’s wildlife. In addition to common sense and the standard courtesy you would observe anywhere in Japan, please be mindful of the following:
- Pack out all rubbish, including food
- Stay on the trail to help protect Mt. Ontake’s fragile ecosystem. Be sure not to pick plants or flowers
- Please don’t stack stones along the trail or at shrines. Never put coins, stones, or anything else on mossy areas
- If you encounter wildlife, don’t approach it. Any monkeys you see are wild animals, so don’t try to feed them. Don’t leave food for them in the woods or along roadsides
- With wild monkeys about, hiking with pets is a bad idea
- Keep a respectful distance and speak softly when practitioners are engaged in rituals or prayer
- Ask before photographing other pilgrims
- Dress modestly at shrines and sacred sites. Avoid tank tops, halter tops, short shorts, etc.
- Please do not climb on the foundations of shrines or monuments
- Refrain from swimming or wading in streams
- Be sure to use any water sources respectfully
- Smoking is strictly prohibited along the pilgrimage trail
- Small monetary offerings at shrines are appreciated but not required
- The waterfalls you’ll encounter along the pilgrimage are sacred sites. Please do not stand beneath them. If you’d like to experience waterfall practices in the Mt. Ontake tradition, see the Experience Takigyo page
On the pilgrimage trail, you’ll be walking in the footsteps of centuries of spiritual practitioners. Your respectful presence will help preserve Mt. Ontake’s sacred tradition for future generations and ensure that international travelers remain welcome.
Otaki Experience 