Dewa Sanzan

In short: Dewa Sanzan: from Haguro to Mount Haguro, Gassan and Yudono-san. Length: around 2 km up Mount Haguro, duration: 1 to 3 days. Best time: July to October.

Overview

Dewa Sanzan are three sacred mountains in Yamagata Prefecture: Mount Haguro, Gassan and Yudono-san. They are the centre of Shugendō, a blend of Shinto, Buddhism and mountain asceticism. The mountains stand for present, death and rebirth.

Best known is the climb up Mount Haguro on 2,446 stone steps through ancient cedars, past a five-storey pagoda. Gassan and Yudono-san can be reached only in summer, as snow lies there for a long time.

In the temple lodgings at the foot of the mountains you are served vegetarian monastic food. Visiting all three mountains counts as a symbolic rebirth.

Who is this route for?

With some hiking experience this route is very manageable. Expect climbs and keep your days from getting too long.

You can find more routes under Pilgrimage routes in Asia, Pilgrimage in Japan, sorted by religion under Shinto pilgrimage routes.