Category: Blog
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Why You Simply Must Try Dewa Sanzan Shojin Ryori
If you’ve paid a visit to a Zen temple in Japan before, chances are you would have tried Shojin Ryori. Known for its almost exclusive use of local vegetables, zero waste policy, and unprecedented impact on Japanese cuisine, Shojin Ryori spread throughout Japan along with the rising popularity of Zen Buddhism in the 13th Century.…
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Autumn on the Dewa Sanzan
Autumn on the Dewa Sanzan “There are days that are clearly summer days, and then there are days that are clearly autumn days. However, we never say ‘today is summer, and tomorrow is autumn’.” Master Hoshino of Daishobo Pilgrim Lodge on Mt. Haguro Master Hoshino of Daishobo Pilgrim Lodge is famous for saying that the…
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All about Mt. Haguro’s Five Story Pagoda
A Marvel for the Modern Era: The National Treasure Five Story Pagoda of Mt. Haguro Put simply, the National Treasure Five Story Pagoda of Mt. Haguro is a masterpiece. That this entirely wooden structure has stood for centuries in the middle of a forest deep in snow country, through earthquakes, warfare, and political upheaval, is…
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The Ultimate Guide to Accessing the Dewa Sanzan
How to get to the Dewa Sanzan When it comes to unique experiences outside mainstream Japan, Yamagata’s Dewa Sanzan should be at the top of the list. You can read our other articles about why you should visit this place, but this article is a comprehensive guide on all the best ways to access the…
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Dewa Sanzan Hiking and Itineraries
Updated October 2026 Why Hike the Dewa Sanzan? To truly get the most out of a Dewa Sanzan hike, it’s important to understand exactly how the three mountains became a centre for spiritual rebirth in the first place. Since ancient times, the Japanese have regarded mountains as an abode of the kami and buddha, a…
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Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges on Haguro-san
For the true Dewa Sanzan experience, for the true Japan experience, you can’t go past the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges of Haguro-san. Shukubo are purpose-built lodges established long ago for those making a pilgrimage on the Dewa Sanzan. Although some people think of this as a form of temple lodging, that is not quite correct. Let’s take…
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Channel Matsuo Basho on the Dewa Sanzan
Channel Matsuo Basho on the Dewa Sanzan On an early spring morning in 1689, Matsuo Basho awoke from his sleep in Bashoan, his residence in Edo, modern-day Tokyo. By that time, Basho’s fame as a Haiku and Renga poet had afforded him a life of luxury. Wherever Basho travelled, his apprentices treated him like royalty.…
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Why to Add The Dewa Sanzan to Your Bucket List
Why to Add The Dewa Sanzan to Your Bucket List In recent years, more and more people have been searching for an escape from ordinary everyday life. Northern Japan’s Dewa Sanzan have been providing that location for more than a millennium. However, only recently has it started to gain traction as a top hiking destination…