The trail is comprised mainly of stairs made from wood, tree roots, and rocks. 95% of it is incline via stairs of varied heights and widths, with small sections of leveled out paths here and there.
Every person on the trail said “konnichiwa” to us. A few stopped to compliment my son or encourage him. There were lots of people heading up along with us, but it didn’t feel crowded by any means.
Although I tried not to focus on others, I did notice and reflect upon the couple people I saw on the trail without shoes. I imagine they were hiking shoeless in order to be more connected to the mountain, and therefore the god within the mountain. I admired this story I made up and even felt a bit envious of it.
There were a few times that I really wanted to take a photo. The forest was beautiful. My son asked me to take a couple photos of fallen trees and a small waterfall. But I resisted. I explained to him about how some things are not meant to be photographed, especially religious things, and it was important for us to take a mental picture and remember it with our minds and our hearts. In the end, I’m glad photography isn’t allowed, as it would detract from the experience.
There are 9 markers on the trail. Our goal (even though we shouldn’t have had one) was to reach the third marker. But after arriving there, we felt like we could continue. Up, up, up we went. Stopping to let people pass and to really take in our surroundings. After an hour and a half, we had walked the about 2 kilometers/1.25 miles up the mountain. It was a 387.1 meter/1,270 foot climb (we started at an elevation of 80 meters and summited at 467.1 meters), which my husband’s phone reported as 99 flights of stairs. Regardless of the distance or the incline, we made it to the shrine building and the iwakura (place where the deity resides) at the top of the mountain.
I have always experienced a profound feeling of peace within the grounds of Miwa Jinja. But walking up the path brought a whole new level of serenity. While I was out of breath for parts of the stair climb, I never wanted to stop. I felt supported in my ascent.
I expected to see an amazing view, but was instead greeted by a stunning sight of rocks, trees, and Shinto ropes. There wasn’t a place to see the horizon or even down the mountain. It was, in fact, the place where it is said the deity, Ohmononushi-kushimikatama-no-Mikita, descended to the earth. It truly was a spiritual journey.
After going back down the mountain, we all exclaimed what an amazing gift it was to be able to go up Mount Miwa. It is something that we will hold in our hearts for a very, very long time.
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