THE DEWA SANZAN

THREE SACRED MOUNTAINS OF DEWA

Three Sacred Peaks

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.

Mt. Yudono of the Dewa Sanzan
Mt. Gassan of the Dewa Sanzan seen from the sky in the winter

Trip Through Time

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 embodies the world of the future and marks the location we are reborn. 

Spiritual Awakening

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. 

Sanjingosaiden Shrine at the top of Mt. Haguro of the Dewa Sanzan in Autumn

Your Journey of Rebirth

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.

Dewa Sanzan

Experience

Now Open: October 30-31, 2026

Join us on a unique Dewa Sanzan experience.

Yamabushi Training on Dewa Sanzan

The Yamabushido Team offers many trainings based on ancient traditions on the Dewa Sanzan mountains in English.

Yamabushi training on Mt. Haguro during autumn

HAGURO-SAN

GASSAN

YUDONO-SAN

Dewa Sanzan, the Three Mountains of Dewa

The Backstory

Many people have visited the Dewa Sanzan, The Three Sacred Mountains of Dewa, in search of spiritual transformation. Now it's your turn.

Shukubo

Pilgrim Lodges

Shukubo are the pilgrim lodges playing host to worshippers visiting the sacred mountains for over 350 years, a culture that still remains to this day.

Shojin Ryori Ascetic Cuisine from Daishinbo pilgrim's lodge.

Ascetic Cuisine

Dewa Sanzan Shojin Ryori (ascetic cuisine) originated with what yamabushi (mountain ascetics) ate for survival in the mountains.

Saikan: Dewa Sanzan Shrine Lodging

Saikan is a former temple turned shrine lodging at the top of Haguro-san welcoming visitors to the sacred mountains.

The path to Saikan from the stone stairway on Mt. Haguro of the Dewa Sanzan
Stone Steps up Mt. Haguro of the Dewa Sanzan that Matsuo Basho would have climbed

Dewa Sanzan Hiking Routes

Learn all you need to know before and during a hike on the Dewa Sanzan.

Access

Learn all about the best ways to access the Dewa Sanzan with our Ultimate Guide to Accessing the Dewa Sanzan article.

Bus to Mt. Haguro of the Dewa Sanzan near Dewa Sanzan Accommodation

Updates on Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan Updates

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