Highlights

  • See Yamadera, famous for Risshaku-ji Temple
  • Wander through the breathtaking nature that embodies Yamagata's spiritual essence
  • Ascend the centuries-old stone steps through the towering cedar forest of Mount Haguro
  • Sample homemade and local flavours unique to this region
  • Stroll through charming onsen towns and dip into hot springs after days of hiking
  • Stay in a pilgrims’ lodging, as worshippers have throughout history

For centuries, people have turned to nature to bridge the gap between themselves and the immaterial realm. Yamagata prefecture’s stunning mountains, with their winding trails and peaks reaching up into the sky, have been the subject of awe and worship since long before Buddhism arrived in Japan.

Shugendō, a religion centring mountain worship and sharing elements of Shintō and Buddhism, among other practices, thrives here. We take you into the steps of yamabushi ascetics, mountain monks who practice the religion. You will hike through these sacred trails, marked with shrines and temples dedicated to these spiritual centres of faith. Delve into the history and intricacies of Shugendō, all while passing through verdant forests and taking in sprawling views from mountain ridges. In the evenings, you will stay at traditional accommodations ranging from classic Japanese ryokan to a stay at a traditional pilgrims' lodging.

Take in the tranquil beauty and quiet splendour of Mount Haguro, its stone steps shaded by towering cedars; visit the secretive Yudonosan Shrine at Mount Yudono; and wind your way up Mount Kinbō, as scenic as it is sacred. Relax in onsen hot springs, sample both the region’s special ascetic cuisine and its local dishes, and learn about other cultural elements of the area, such as traditional Noh theatre.

This tour includes a visit to Mount Haguro and the shrine at Mount Yudono, the first and third of the Dewa Sanzan, the 'Three Mountains of Dewa'. An optional guided hike up Mount Gassan, the second sacred mountain of the Dewa Sanzan, is available upon request and at an extra cost. Please note that this is subject to availability and conditions on the mountain; contact our Destination Specialists for more information.

What is included

  • 4 nights at accommodations in Yamagata
  • 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners
  • Transportation from Tōkyō to your starting point in Tsuruoka and from Yamadera back to Tōkyō at the end of your trip
  • Train tickets for intermediate journeys on the trip
  • Transfer by pre-booked taxi at certain points during your journey
  • Detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking directions
  • Detailed maps
  • Our Preparing for Your Trip and Travelling in Japan guidebooks
  • Local support by telephone

What is not included

  • Flights
  • Airport transfers
  • Drinks and meals not included in itinerary
  • Local bus journeys which must be paid directly to the bus driver
  • Single room supplement(s) for solo occupancy
  • Daily luggage transfer
  • Entrance fees for sites and activities not listed in 'What is Included'

 

Spiritual Journey through Yamagata self-guided walking 5 days

(subject to change until the booking has been finalized)

Day 1 Arrive in Tsuruoka and Participate in A Prayer Ceremony at Zenpo-ji Temple

After your arrival in Tsuruoka, you travel by bus to Zenpō-ji, a large Zen temple. Dedicated to the dragon god, a water deity, Zenpō-ji Temple is a common stop for fishers and others in maritime industries, who pray for both safety and bounty at sea.

Your journey, too, will be blessed by the monks here through a special prayer ceremony dedicated to safety and success on your travels.

After, transfer to Yutagawa Onsen, a hot-spring town which, in addition to being the site of your accommodation for the night, has a history dating back to the early 8th century.

Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn)
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Hike Sacred Mount Kinbo and Travel to The Foot of Mount Haguro

Travel to the trailhead of Mount Kinbō, a sacred yamabushi pilgrimage site. The winding trail, dotted with religious monuments, will take you to the shrine at the summit, accompanied by sweeping views of the Shōnai Plain.

Afterwards, take a local bus to the village of Touge at the base of Mount Haguro, where pilgrims’ lodgings accommodate Shugendō ascetics during training. You will stay the night in one of these lodgings, where you will enjoy the traditional cuisine of the Shugendō faith.

Walking distance: 7.7 km / 4.8 mi
Elevation gain: 437 m / 1,435 ft of ascent and 454 m / 1,490 ft of descent
Time required: About 4 hours

Accommodation: Pilgrims’ lodging
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 3 Ascend Mount Haguro, The First of The Dewa Sanzan

Make your way up the stone steps of Mount Haguro, the ‘gateway’ to the mountains of the Dewa Sanzan. The 2,446 stone steps weave through a forest of towering cedars, leading to the shrine at the top and one of the most important places of worship in Shugendō. Spend the night in a charming family home in Kurokawa. Kurokawa’s culture is strongly tied to Noh theatre, traces of which you may notice during your stay.

Walking Distance: 2.4 km / 1.5 mi
Elevation gain: 280 m / 920 ft ascent and 10 m / 35 ft descent
Time required: About 2 hours

Accommodation: Home stay
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 4 Walk the Historic Rojukuri-goe Trail and Visit the Dewa Sanzan’s Yudonosan Shrine

Travel by pre-booked taxi to the trailhead of the Rokujūri-goe Kaidō. This ancient road once connected the Shōnai Plain with what is now Yamagata City and was the route most pilgrims took to Yudonosan Shrine at Mount Yudono, another of the Dewa Sanzan. The shrine is so secretive that even speaking of what one did or saw there is forbidden! A dip in your lodging’s onsen bath this evening will be perfect after your hike.

Walking distance: 8.3 km / 5.1 mi
Elevation gain: 700 m / 2,295 ft ascent and 180 m / 590 ft descent
Time required: About 5 hours

Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 5 Travel to Yamadera and Hike an Ancient Yamabushi Trail

Travel by train to the Yamadera district. ‘Yamadera’ means ‘mountain temple’, and the name comes from the nickname of Risshaku-ji Temple, which sits atop nearby Mount Hōju. Ascend over 1,000 steps to the temple and its Godai-dō observatory, where you will take in sprawling views of the town below. After descending, embark on the Tendai-no-michi, a lesser-known trail used by yamabushi monks up to the 20th century. Your path will be marked by spiritual relics and fascinating natural features, such as a rock wall with a honeycomb-like face. Afterwards, return to Tōkyō to complete or continue onwards in your Japan adventure.

Walking distance: 5.6 km / 3.4 mi
Elevation gain: 395 m / 1,300 ft of ascent and descent
Time required: About 3 hours

A shorter option of approximately 1.5 hours and 2.7 km / 1.7 mi, which skips the Tendai-no-michi section, is also available.

Meals: Breakfast

Yamadera Risshaku-ji Temple in Yamagata Japan, historic mountain temple with panoramic views, popular for hiking, spiritual journeys, and cultural tourism
Yamabushi monk performing Shugendō fire ritual on Mount Haguro, Yamagata, Japan, traditional ascetic practice in the Dewa Sanzan sacred mountains
Five-story pagoda of Mount Haguro in Yamagata, hidden among towering cedar trees, UNESCO-recognized pilgrimage site on the Dewa Sanzan mountains























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