Dewa Sanzan Shrine

Dewa Sanzan Shrine refers to three sacred mountains in the Yamagata Prefecture of northern Japan: Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. These peaks have served as a center of mountain worship for over 1,400 years, combining elements of Shinto and Buddhism in a unique spiritual tradition known as Shugendō. Pilgrims have walked these mountain paths since ancient times, seeking spiritual rebirth through ascetic practices and communion with nature.

The three mountains each represent a different stage of spiritual journey and rebirth. Mount Haguro symbolizes the present and birth, Mount Gassan represents death and the past, and Mount Yudono signifies rebirth and the future. While historically integrated as one religious complex, the mountains were separated during the Meiji Restoration when the government enforced the division of Shinto and Buddhist practices. Today, Mount Haguro maintains the most visible shrine structures, including the striking five-story pagoda at its base, one of only a few National Treasures in Tōhoku region.

Visitors to Mount Haguro ascend 2,446 stone steps through a dense cedar forest to reach the Sanjin Gosaiden, a large thatched-roof shrine building that honors all three mountain deities. The climb takes approximately one hour and passes the vermillion-lacquered pagoda dating from the 14th century.

Mount Gassan, the highest peak at 1,984 meters, typically opens from July to mid-September due to heavy snowfall and requires a three to four-hour hike from the eighth station accessible by bus. Mount Yudono enforces strict photography bans and requires visitors to remove their shoes to walk barefoot on sacred rocks, maintaining traditional pilgrimage protocols.

The region is accessible from Tsuruoka City, which connects to Tokyo via the Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata Station, followed by the Inaho Limited Express train taking approximately two hours. Local buses run from Tsuruoka Station to the Mount Haguro area, taking about 40 minutes. Admission to Mount Haguro's main worship hall is free, though donations are customary. Mount Gassan charges a 500 yen shrine admission fee, while Mount Yudono requires a 500 yen purification fee.