Three Mountains of Dewa Pilgrimage: "Journey of Rebirth" Walking in White Robes

Dewa Sanzan Pilgrimage

The Three Mountains of Dewa (Haguro-san, Gassan, Yudonosan) in Yamagata's Shonai region are sacred sites of mountain Shugendo continuing from antiquity. The three mountains are said to represent "Haguro-san = the present world," "Gassan = the afterlife," and "Yudonosan = rebirth," making circumambulation of all three a "journey of rebirth (death and regeneration)."

Pilgrimage Flow

- Haguro-san: Climb 2,446 stone steps from the base; the National Treasure Five-Story Pagoda is partway up - Gassan: Open July–September; worship at the summit's Gassan Shrine inner sanctum - Yudonosan: The inner sanctum is a sacred space of "do not speak, do not ask"

Haguro-san Highlights (Detail)

- Stone Stairway Approach: Cedar-lined promenade with stone paving (approx. 1.7km), trees 400 years old - National Treasure Five-Story Pagoda: Beautiful pagoda from the late Heian period - Sansha Gassai-den: Enormous thatched main hall enshrining all three mountains' deities

Getting There

- From JR Uetsu Main Line Tsuruoka Station by bus to Haguro-san Zuijinmon: about 50 minutes

Tips

Circumambulating all three mountains requires at least 2–3 nights. Staying at the Saikan (monk's lodging) on Haguro-san summit, including shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine), is a highly recommended experience.