Haguroyama Five-Story Pagoda is a historic wooden pagoda located on Mount Haguro in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. This sacred Buddhist temple structure is part of the Dewa Sanzan pilgrimage route and stands 29 meters tall among ancient cedar trees, making it one of Japan's most photographed pagodas and a designated National Treasure.
The hike to Haguroyama Five-Story Pagoda involves climbing 2,446 stone steps through a sacred cedar forest from the base of Mount Haguro. The trail is moderately challenging, taking 45-60 minutes to reach the pagoda and summit shrine. The stone steps can be slippery when wet, so proper hiking shoes are recommended for this spiritual pilgrimage walk.
The best times to visit Haguroyama Five-Story Pagoda are during autumn foliage season (late October to early November) and summer months (June-August) for optimal weather. Early morning visits offer the best lighting for photography and fewer crowds. Winter visits are possible but require extra caution due to snow and ice on the stone steps.
There is no entrance fee to visit Haguroyama Five-Story Pagoda or hike the mountain trail. However, parking at the base costs around 500 yen, and visiting the summit shrine museum requires a small fee of 300 yen. The pagoda itself can be viewed and photographed for free, making it an affordable cultural attraction in Japan.
Haguroyama Five-Story Pagoda is a sacred Shinto-Buddhist site with over 1,000 years of history, serving as part of the Dewa Sanzan mountain worship tradition. Visitors should maintain respectful behavior, avoid loud conversations near the pagoda, and follow photography guidelines. The site represents one of Japan's most important spiritual pilgrimage destinations and mountain worship centers.
