Stone Step Pilgrimage to Mt. Haguro, one of the three mountains of Dewa, Yamagata: "A Journey of Rebirth

Yamagata
Experience Gifu

2024/05/22

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At the top of Mt. Haguro, one of the three power spots of Dewa Sanzan in Yamagata, there is the Sanjin Gosai-den (Shrine of the Three Gods) of Dewa Sanzan Shrine. The approach to the sanjin hyosai-den is a whopping 2,446 stone steps. The approach to the shrine is a whopping 2,446 stone steps, and walking down the steps while wearing a "shime" is called "ishidanmairi" (pilgrimage to the shrine). For those who would like to try Ishidan-mode, we would like to introduce the preparation for Ishidan-mode and the scenery along the way.

Reincarnation Journey" in Dewa Sanzan

The three mountains of Dewa are Haguro, Gusan, and Yudono. Haguro is a mountain to pray for happiness in this life (present), Gassan is a mountain to pray for peace and rebirth after death (past), and Yudono is a mountain to pray for rebirth (future).

Ishidan-mairi," or "stone staircase pilgrimage," was planned so that more people can easily experience this "journey of rebirth and renewal," by walking up the stone steps of Mt. This is a special experience in which visitors are surrounded by the spiritual energy of the sacred mountain, and by worshipping, their bodies and minds are reset and filled with a new vitality.

Click here for more information about Dewa Sanzan Shrine

Yamagata's Power Spot "Dewa Sanzan Shrine" for a "Journey of Reincarnation

Ishidan Pilgrimage" walking along cedar trees

During the Ishidan Pilgrimage, visitors walk up the 2,446 stone steps that form the approach to Mt. Hagurosan is recognized as a 3-star destination by the "Michelin Green Guide Japon," which lists places that are recommended by travelers based on its unique survey of various regions, including their rich nature and diverse cultural heritage.

The stone steps take about one and a half hours to climb. It is recommended to wear sneakers or trekking shoes, with clothes that are easy to walk in and can handle sweat. The Ishidan Pilgrimage is usually open from late April to mid-November. During the winter season after that, the Zuijinmon awarding office at the foot of the mountain is closed for the winter season, so registration is suspended. Also, please note that the Zuijinmon conferment office is open only on limited days in November, just before the winter closure.

If you walk at your own pace along the stone steps surrounded by mystical cedar trees, you will find your true and new self with a liberated mind.

Preparation for "Ishidan-mairi" at the foot of Mt.

There are two ways to enjoy the stone steps: one is to climb up from the foot of the mountain to the summit, and the other is to walk down from the summit to the foot of the mountain. If you are not confident about your physical strength, the downhill course is recommended. Visitors can take a bus or car to the top of the mountain, go to the reception desk, pay their respects, and then descend the stone steps. This time, we will introduce a route from the foot of the mountain to the summit.

At the Zuijinmon awarding office at the foot of Mt. Read the two-dimensional code with your smartphone or other device, register your e-mail address, and read the two-dimensional code for the goal after arriving at the Sanjin Gasshiden to find out how many visitors you were.

Once you have accepted the e-mail, you will receive an omoteren. The oshuren signifies a boundary and is to prevent demons in the mountains from possessing you. Originally, it was derived from yuigesa, which was used by ascetic practitioners in the mountains, and the "yui" in yuigesa means "to be bound together (to be connected to the gods and Buddha). You can take this oshuren back home with you as a souvenir.

At the Zuijinmon awarding office and the Sanshuden awarding office (at the top of the mountain), where the Ishidan Pilgrimage is accepted, enryo strings are also sold. Enryo are colorful strings that can be tied to the oshuren. Since they are prayed for, each color is blessed with love (red), fortune (yellow), health (green), academic achievement (purple), and career (white).

*The initial fee for the "omote-ryo" is 200 yen per cord.
The initial fee for the "oshoretsu" is 1,000 yen.

Starting from "Zuijinmon," the entrance to the sacred area

The stone-step pilgrimage begins as you pass through Zuijimon Gate, the entrance to the shrine. There are many shrines along the approach. It would be more beneficial if you climb up the steps while paying your respects to each shrine one by one.

The red bridge over the Aurigawa River is "Kami-bashi. Kamihashi is the boundary line that separates the mundane from the mundane on the mountain. In the past, people purified themselves in this river before visiting the shrine. The Aurigawa River also has "Suga Falls" that fall in the background of the shrine's shrine. The scenery is typical of a sacred place of mountain worship.

Five-story pagoda and Ichinosaka and Ninosaka

Along the approach to the shrine, there is a giant tree called "Ji-zugi" (old man's cedar), which is the largest and oldest tree on Mt. It is estimated to be more than 1,000 years old and has been growing since before the cedar trees were planted along the path. Near the old cedar tree is the five-story pagoda, a national treasure. Rebuilt about 600 years ago, it is said to be the oldest pagoda in the Tohoku region. However, the five-story pagoda is currently covered by a curtain due to renovation work on the shingled roof. The work is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2024.

After passing a flat road, the path goes uphill to the first and second slopes. There are said to be 33 pictures carved on the stone steps, so please look for them.

Ni-no-zaka is the longest and steepest slope on the approach. It is also known as "Aburakoboshi" (oil spill), as there is a story that Benkei Musashibo, a retainer of Yoshitsune Minamoto, spilled oil to offer at the slope.

Eat the famous rice cake "Chikimochi" with a mallet at "Ninosaka Teahouse

At the end of Ninosaka is the Ninosaka Teahouse. The specialty is the handmade "kine tsuki chikimochi" (rice cake with a mallet), which is said to give one strength when eaten. There is a wide selection of Rikimochi, including a mix of kinako and anko (red bean paste), kinako only, anko only, and natto (fermented soybean paste) rice cake! You will be able to climb up the stone steps with full of energy after eating Riki Mochi. Please take a break with a set of green tea.

The view of Shonai spreads out below Ninosaka Teahouse. On a clear day, you can even see Tobishima Island in the Sea of Japan.

The last slope, San-no-zaka

On the way to San-no-zaka, there is a shrine for marriage called Haniyamahime-jinja Shrine. It enshrines Hani Yamahime no Mikoto, the god of the earth, who was born from the feces of Izanami no Mikoto, the creator of many gods. It is believed that sacred power resides in soft mud like clay, and earthenware for ritual utensils and rice fields were made in the area.

You can purchase an amulet of "Hani Yamahime Shrine" either at Zuijinmon Gate or at the Sanshuden Hall at the top of the mountain. The amulet has a red string attached to it, which is said to bring good luck if you tie it to the lattice of Hani Yamahime Shrine and pray.

When you see "Saikan," you are almost at the goal!

Just before the summit is the Saikan, where visitors can taste vegetarian food that has been passed down from generation to generation in the Haguro mountains. All of the ingredients in the vegetarian cuisine of the Dewa Sanzan, such as wild vegetables and mushrooms, come from the mountains. Why not experience the sacred air of the Dewa Sanzan from the food as well?

*All dishes are available by reservation only.
*Cuisine changes depending on the season.

Passing through a large torii gate, you will reach the summit of the mountain.

Passing through a large torii gate, you will see the Sanjin Gosai-den (Shrine of the Three Gods). At the top of Mt. Haguro, the gods of the three mountains, Gassan, Haguro, and Yudono, are enshrined, so a visit to the Sanjin Kosai-den also means a visit to Gassan Shrine on Gassan and Yudono Shrine on Yudono.

After visiting the shrine, don't forget to read the 2D code for the goal at the sanjyuden. How many of you were the first to visit the shrine?

Ishidan Pilgrimage: A Journey of Rebirth

We have introduced the stone-step pilgrimage to Dewa Sanzan Shrine. You will be able to enjoy the cedar trees, pictures carved on the stone steps, and various shrines along the way and make it up there in no time. Why not be healed by nature and feel refreshed by the sacred air of the Dewa Sanzan shrines?

For more information about Ishidan Pilgrimage, please visit [Official website] Tsuruoka Kanko Navi

Location

33, Haguroyama, Temukai, Haguro-cho, Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata 997-0211

Access

Take a local bus from bus stop No. 2 in front of Tsuruoka Station to "Hagurosan Summit, Take a bus bound for "Hagurosanzancho" or "Gassan Hachiaome" (about 1 hour) from bus stop "Hagurosanzanzancho" at bus stop #2 in front of Tsuruoka Station.

*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.

*All images are for reference only.

For train + accommodation "Yamagata Area" reservations, please contact [ JR East View Dynamic Rail Package ]

Travel for "Ishidan Pilgrimage" on a weekday!

Why don't you enjoy your trip more by taking a budget trip on weekdays?
If it is a weekday when it is not crowded, you can enjoy the natural scenery while sightseeing! If you have weekdays off from work, it may be difficult to have a vacation with your friends and family. But if you travel alone, you can walk the stone steps at your own pace and make time to face yourself in the sacred air.

Ishidan Pilgrimage" and "Enjoy a haphazard journey!

While a trip with a detailed schedule is nice, the potential of a weekday trip is that you can manage to go out on a whim. Haguro, we recommend using the Tsuruoka Station. Inaho limited express train that stops at Tsuruoka Station has unreserved seats, so it is okay to just show up. You can also easily try the Ishidan-mairi (stone staircase) tour with no reservation required.

JR East now proposing other new ways to enjoy the trip! Please check the official website for details.

[Official Website] Travel to Weekdays

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