Sitting on the northern side of the Hozu River gorge, on the western side of Kyoto, Mount Ogura has long been associated with the literary world, and is known as the "Poet's Mount."

Heian Period (794-1185) courtier poets sang of its natural beauty and, most famously, Fujiwara Teika (1162-1241) compiled "Ogura Hyakunin Isshu" ("100 Poems by 100 Poets"), here.

Later, the famed haiku poet Basho (1644-1694) wrote his "Saga Diary" at the foot of Mount Ogura. Today, those with an interest in Japanese literature at home and around the world journey to Mount Ogura to compose their own haiku or simply to enjoy the spectacular scenery along the hiking trails, where kingfishers, deer, rabbits, wild boar and wild monkeys abound.