At an altitude of 900m/2,953ft, Mount Mitoku (aka the Mount of Three virtues) is an old temple belonging to the Buddhist Tendai sect. During the Heian period (794-1192) it served as a training centre and refuge for monks. The three temples, built along the flank of a small mountain formed by a volcanic eruption, are relatively inaccessible. A series of stone staircases leads first to the main temple of Sanbutsu-ji, then a steep path goes up to the Monjudo temple and finally to the Nageiredo temple, built high on a jagged ridge.