Mount Horai

Mount Horai (蓬莱山) is a on Horai Island in Hinomoto. With a height of 854.3 metres, it is the highest point on the island and is the tallest peak in the Hinomoto islands. The summit is occupied by a shallow caldera with a diameter of 400 metres and a depth of around 50 metres. It is rated as a Class-3 active volcano by the Yamatai Meteorological Agency with recent eruptions recorded in 1487, 1518–1523, and 1605, with seismic activity as recently as 2002.

Mount Horai has a significant place in Hinoan and Yamataian culture. In ancient times, the island and the mountain itself was believed to be a gateway to Takamagahara, the realm of the Kami. In Michi, Horai Island is believed to be one of the purest places in the world due to this gateway. To this day, the island maintains several monasteries, temples, and shrines along the "Holy Road" that leads up to the caldera, and some Michi adherents make pilgrimages to the mountain.