The land of Gyoki’s ascetic training

It is said that Unzen was first determined as the sacred mountain by the monk Gyo-ki, who determined this land as the base of his ascetic training. The initial temple, established in 701 in the Taiho era boasts over 1300 years of history, which is 100 years ahead of startup of the two nationally famous Koyasan and Hieizan. Barred to women, Unzen became a holly mountain with training Dojo for ascetic monks of all sutras. Some of their practice could be commemorated from the “Waterfall of Issaikyo”, “Cave of Gyo-ki”, “Stone of Zazen” for Zen sitting meditation. The place in also popular among alpinists since it is located deep inside the mountain.