THE MAIDEN AND THE MOUNTAIN: MOUNT KAGAMI, SAGA PREFECTURE KYUSHUJan 06 '05 (Updated Jan 10 '05) Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Worth the climb for the view alone. The city of Karatsu sits on the shores of the Genkai Sea in Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyushu the southern most of the Japanese home Islands. Karatsu is a resort city well known for its perfect beaches and other local attractions for visitors including numerous spas and hot springs. One of the most popular attractions is nearby Mount Kagami. The peak is easily reached by a gently winding paved all weather road. Part of the way up the road there is a turn off leading to the Begonia Garden a green house with numerous exotic tropical plants on display. Admission is 500 Yen per person. The greenhouse also contains a small coffee shop with an open-air patio that provides an excellent view of the area. At the top of the mountain is a visitor reception area and ample parking. Here clearly marked hiking trails fan out all over the mountain and are widely used by local enthusiasts. The most enthusiastic of these forgo driving up to the start point and use one of the several trails that start at the base of the mountain and reach the top. There is a small store and a series of vending machines here selling film, and assorted snacks. Just past the parking area is a large pond filled with carp. Among the snacks available in the store are various types of breads for those inclined to feed the fish from the bridge that crosses the pond. A short walk past the carp pond brings one to a small gently sloping field with a steep drop off at one. This is a gathering point for a group of locals whose activity is more strenuous than the hiker. Local hang gliders launch themselves from here and take advantage of the prevailing winds to propel them safely to the outskirts of the city far below. Our local guide took the opportunity to point out her house and the nearby field where one such intrepid birdman had landed narrowly missing a backyard greenhouse. Past the hang gliders field one comes to a covered observation deck complete with coin operated binoculars. From this vantage point one has a breathtaking view of the Karatsu and surrounding area. Easily visible are the Niji-no-Matsubara Pine Forest one of the three most beautiful pine forests in Japan. The name literally translates as rainbow forest and seen from this vantage point the name seems appropriate with the green trees, white sand beach and blue of the waters laid out in strips of vibrant colours below you. Also easily visible is Karatsu Castle standing guard on it’s hilltop overlooking the bay. Beside the observation deck is a small statue of a young woman in traditional garb. She is princess Sayo and a small plaque tells her story. Many years past this young woman, or so the legend says, fell in love with a simple but dashing soldier. As soldiers are often wont to do he sailed off across the seas to take part in a war on distance shores. After their tearful farewell the Princess climbed to the top of the mountain to this very spot to watch his ship sail away. Here she remained awaiting his return. As is often the case in such he failed to return and the heartbroken Princess continued her solitary vigil until she turned to stone. After leaving the mountaintop one is free to descend again to explore more of the region’s attractions.  |
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