Mt. Goken
Mt. Goken stands between the towns of Mure and Aji in Takamatsu. The mountain gets its name from its distinctive peaks, likened to “five swords” (goken). After an earthquake in 1707, one of the peaks collapsed and Mt. Goken took on its current form. Ascent of the 375-meter mountain is either via hiking trail or cable car, both of which end at Yakuriji Temple, roughly halfway to the summit. The temple area commands panoramas of the Seto Inland Sea. Mt. Goken’s peaks are also clearly visible from the top of Yashima.
The main sacred site on the mountainside is Yakuriji Temple. This Shingon Buddhist temple is said to have been founded in 829 by the priest Kukai (774–835) and is the 85th stop on the famous 88-temple Shikoku Pilgrimage. The temple is so well known that local people often call the mountain Mt. Yakuri.
Granite from Mt. Goken, known as Aji Stone, is highly prized and has been quarried in Aji for hundreds of years. Aji Stone is popular with sculptors and architects alike for its durability and fine grain.