Located in the centre of Yamagata Prefecture, the Dewa Sanzan is the collective name for three sacred mountains, Haguro-san, Gassan, and Yudono-san, revered for their spiritual prowess since ancient times.
Haguro-san represents the world of the present and the salvation of current hardships. Gassan represents the past or the afterlife where we atone for our wrongdoings. Lastly, Yudono-san the world of the future where we are reborn.
Gassan is where the souls of the ancestors venture after they pass on to the other world. As such, we are able to physically be one with those who have gone before us as we pay our respects. At the same time, Buddha’s mantras are projected onto the Dewa Sanzan. Thus, navigating the mountains is to embody their wisdom.
For millennia, Yamabushi (mountain ascetics) and regular people alike have made the journey to the Dewa Sanzan for spiritual rebirth.
Now it’s your turn.
The Yamabushido Team offers a plethora of retreats in English on the Dewa Sanzan mountains.
The Backstory
For millennia, thousands upon thousands have flocked to the Dewa Sanzan, The Three Sacred Mountains of Dewa, in search of spiritual transformation. Now it’s your turn.
Shinto shrines on the grounds of former temples, self-mummifying monks, its own religion, the Dewa Sanzan is a hotbed of Japanese spirituality.
Read a first-hand account on embodying the Dewa Sanzan’s ancient philosophy, Uketamo.
Shukubo are the pilgrim’s lodges playing host to worshippers visiting the sacred mountains for over 350 years, a culture that still remains to this day.
Dewa Sanzan Shojin Ryori (ascetic cuisine) originated with what yamabushi (mountain ascetics) ate for survival in the mountains.
Learn all you need to know before and during a hike on the Dewa Sanzan.
Learn all about the best ways to access the Dewa Sanzan with our Ultimate Guide to Accessing the Dewa Sanzan article.
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We are able to assist with bookings with more than two weeks’ notice for 20% of the total cost,
and with the full amount paid in advance via credit card on PayPal.