The five-story pagoda at the base of Mount Haguro was reconstructed in the 14th century and survived fires that destroyed other surrounding structures.
The 2,446 stone steps contain seven secret carvings hidden in the stone path, which pilgrims traditionally search for during the ascent.
Mount Gassan and Mount Yudono are buried under deep snow for most of the year, restricting mountain-top access to the summer months.
Yamabushi mountain ascetics practice 'shugendo,' a blend of Shinto, Buddhism, and Taoism, which involves ritual waterfall bathing and endurance training.
The Sanjin Gosaiden building features a massive thatched roof, which is periodically replaced in a labor-intensive community project.
Mount Yudono is considered so sacred that, traditionally, visitors are forbidden from discussing or writing about their experience there.
Dewasanzan consists of three sacred mountains—Haguro-san, Gassan, and Yudono-san—located in Yamagata Prefecture, representing the past, present, and future in Shugendo practice. Mount Haguro serves as the accessible base featuring the Sanjin Gosaiden hall, which houses deities from all three mountains. The site is famous for the five-story wooden pagoda, a National Treasure standing over 29 meters tall without the use of nails. Visitors reach the summit of Mount Haguro via a 2,446-stone step path flanked by 600-year-old Japanese cedar trees. The area remains the center of Yamabushi ascetic mountain worship. The peaks are historically associated with the Buddhist monk Hachiko, who allegedly opened the mountains in 593 AD. The pilgrimage tradition involves wearing white traditional robes to symbolize purity and death of the ego. The Dewasanzan Shrine acts as the collective administrative body for these holy sites.
The base of the five-story pagoda framed by the surrounding cedar forest.
Wear sturdy, non-slip footwear as the stone steps can be uneven and slick after rain.
Bring a walking stick, which is available for rent at the base, to help with the steep incline on the ascent to the summit.
Visit the visitor center at the base before beginning your climb to check current trail conditions for the higher peaks.
Attempting to climb Mount Gassan or Yudono in winter without professional mountaineering gear and local guides.
Mount Gassan and Mount Yudono are closed to the public from late autumn through late spring due to extreme snowfall.
Maintain silence near prayer halls, remove hats when inside buildings, and dress modestly in non-flashy clothing.
