Donden Highland Ceremony of Yamabiraki (opening of the mountain)

The Ceremony of Yamabiraki celebrates the start of the season for climbing Mt. Donden and is to pray for safety. Mt. Donden is a treasure trove of wild plants, where alpine flora such as the Japanese wood poppy [Shiraneaoi] and rhododendron, rarely seen at this height of 900m above sea-level, grow naturally. At this event, a Shinto ritual takes place at a viewing deck where many trekkers visit in the high season.