Dewa Sanzan Sacred Mountain Training

Three mountains in Yamagata Prefecture—Gassan, Haguro, and Yudono—forming a sacred Shugendo training center with 1,400 years of history. Practitioners undergo rituals symbolizing death and rebirth, experiencing spiritual transformation. Features like Haguro's five-story pagoda and Yudono's secret rituals continue to attract pilgrims seeking spiritual renewal through rigorous ascetic practice.

A sacred site of mountain worship comprising Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. With over 1,400 years of history as a training ground for Shugendo asceticism, the mountain monks in white robes and their austere practices preserve Japan's mountain ascetic traditions.

A Shugendo sacred site of three mountains. Mountain ascetic training in white yamabushi robes is popular with foreigners. A spiritual pilgrimage known as 'the journey of rebirth.'

A sacred mountain standing at 1,125 meters in Yoshino, Nara Prefecture. Opened in the 7th century by Enno Gyoja, it is a crucial site for Shugendo ascetic practice. In spring, approximately 30,000 cherry trees blanket the entire mountain, and it has long been venerated by nobility and samurai. It remains a pilgrimage destination where ascetics visit, harmonizing faith and nature.

One of the Dewa Sanzan mountains, Mount Yudono maintains unique esoteric worship practices. Visitors must remove their shoes and wear purchased white robes in a strict ritual. An ancient prohibition against disclosing one's pilgrimage experience to others—the 'secret pilgrimage'—is still observed today. This mystique attracts pilgrims and represents a rare living example of Japanese religious secrecy.

Ancient pilgrimage tradition to Yoshino Mountain in southern Nara Prefecture. While famous for cherry blossoms, it served as a crucial center for Shugendo mountain asceticism since antiquity. Centered around Kinpu Shrine and Kinpusen-ji Temple. Pilgrims visit during cherry blossom season in spring and autumn foliage in fall. Represents Japan's mountain worship tradition as a key training site for ascetic monks.