Mt. Kachikachi

Yamanashi Mt. Kachi Kachi | Raccoon and Rabbit Folklore

Mt. Kachi Kachi refers to a small mountain in Yamanashi named after an old Japanese folklore. There are several versions of the story but one story starts with a troublesome raccoon who wreaked an old man and wife's vegetables and plants in their garden. The old man scolded the raccoon and tied the raccoon up but his wife who felt sorry for the raccoon let him go only to find herself getting attacked by it. The old man lost his wife and his anger was out of the roof. He then met a rabbit who offered to get revenge on this raccoon. The rabbit approached the raccoon with a rice ball and made him a deal that if he helped carry some firewood up the hill he could have the rice ball. The raccoon agreed and just as he put the logs onto his back the vengeful rabbit lit the wood on fire. The raccoon didn't notice until it was much too late and found his back burnt. The story ends with the raccoon learning a lesson to not cause trouble on others and regretted his actions.

Today Mt. Kachi Kachi has a ropeway that can take you up 400 m to an observation deck to a beautiful view of the Lake Kawaguchiko and Mt. Fuji. A statue of a rabbit and raccoon also stand there to continue the folklore "Mt. Kachi Kachi".

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