Miyajima's highest peak (535 m) towering behind Itsukushima Shrine. In 806, Kukai performed 100 days of esoteric Buddhist training here, lighting a flame that has burned continuously for over 1,200 years — known as the Eternal Flame and used as the source fire for the Peace Flame at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The summit offers views across the Inland Sea to Shikoku.

Mt. Misen's history is said to begin in 806, when Kukai (Kobo Daishi), having returned from Tang Dynasty China, crossed to Miyajima and performed one hundred days of esoteric Buddhist austerities known as the Kokūzō Gumonjihō near the summit. The sacred fire he kindled during these rituals has repor…