[2025 Tsuruoka Attraction] Travel Guide for Mt. Haguro (Updated Jun)

During the snowy season, explore the sacred mountains of Dewa Sanzan in Yamagata Prefecture, Tohoku, Japan: Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. These mountains symbolize blessings for the present, past, and future, making them renowned pilgrimage sites. The route spans 1.7 kilometers and takes about an hour one way. Starting from the Suijin Gate, the snow-covered surroundings create a pure and dreamlike atmosphere. Crossing the vermilion Sacred Bridge, you'll encounter towering cedar trees and the National Treasure Five-Story Pagoda, followed by the 2,446-step stone stairway divided into three sections. If you feel tired climbing the steps, you can take a break at a teahouse near the second section. After a bit more climbing and passing through a torii gate, you'll reach the summit, where the Dewa Sanzan Shrine awaits. Despite the challenges of walking in the snow, the breathtaking scenery makes it all worthwhile.

When I learned that it is one of the 'Three Mountains of Dewa' and a sacred mountain in the hearts of the Japanese, I decided to visit. This pilgrimage path has over 2,000 steps, but it is not particularly steep. Along the way, you can see thousand-year-old cedar trees, a black five-story pagoda, small bridges, and flowing streams. Out of respect, visitors do not make loud noises, allowing for a moment of tranquility. 📍Address: Haguromachi, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture 🚗 Transportation: Get off at JR Tsuruoka Station and take a bus to Mount Haguro, getting off at Suginomori Gate.

🏔️ [Yamagata, Tsuruoka, Mt. Haguro] A pilgrimage to the gods and nature, with 2,446 stone steps and a national treasure five-story pagoda The sacred site, Mt. Haguro, located in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, is a power spot that attracts faith as the “present” mountain of the Dewa Sanzan (Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan, Mt. Yudono). Walking along the Michelin three-star path, with a total length of about 1.7 km and 2,446 stone steps, surrounded by rows of cedar trees, you can feel your mind and body being purified . ⸻ 🌟Characteristics and highlights ・ [National treasure, Mt. Haguro five-story pagoda] Approximately 29 meters high, three-bay, five-story, shingled and made of plain wood. It is said to have been founded by Taira no Masakado, and the current structure was rebuilt about 600 years ago . The oldest five-story pagoda in Tohoku, designated a national treasure in 1966. ・The approach to the shrine is a mystical space lined with cedar trees aged 350 to 500 years. ・Don't miss the 1000-year-old giant cedar "Jijisugi" along the way, and the Sanshingosaiden, which overlooks the pond and the main hall. ⸻ 🚉Access and travel time ・About 35 to 40 minutes by bus from JR Tsuruoka Station, or one-way on the "Haguroyamacho" bus route. ・About 15 minutes walk from Zuishinmon Gate to the five-story pagoda. Then another 30 to 40 minutes up the stone steps to the summit. ・You can also come by car. Parking is available at Zuishinmon Gate and the summit. ⸻ ✨Recommended seasons and how to enjoy ・In spring and summer, the greenery of the cedar groves and the cool breeze are pleasant, and in autumn, the autumn leaves add to the romantic atmosphere. The snowy scenery in winter is also fantastic . ・The National Treasure Five-Story Pagoda is lit up on certain nights from July 18th to September 23rd. The tower, illuminated in the darkness with lights and candles, is truly fantastic . ・You can also receive prayers from mountain priests and night-only goshuin (when lit up) . ⸻ 👣Travel Tips ・It is a wise choice to use the "Stone Steps Pilgrimage" as a route down the mountain instead of going all the way to the summit. ・Take a break with some chikara mochi and matcha tea at a teahouse on the way to the shrine. You can refresh yourself while looking out at the Shonai Plain below. ・As the entrance to the Dewa Sanzan tour, a pilgrimage plan that combines it with Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono is also popular . ⸻ "2,446 stone steps" and the "National Treasure Five-Story Pagoda", the majestic nature and the presence of the gods. Mt. Haguro is the perfect place for a **“tranquil and deep experience trip”**, where the more you walk, the clearer your mind becomes.⛰️✨ ⸻ #Mt. Haguro #Tsuruoka sightseeing #Tsuruoka trip #Yamagata sightseeing #Yamagata trip #Dewa Sanzan #National treasure five-story pagoda #Absolutely free trip #Domestic trip #Solo trip #Couple trip #Travel tips ⸻

#springwander A mountain with an altitude of 414 metres located northwest of Mt. Tsuki, the main peak of the Three Mountains of Dewa. A few minutes on the mountain road from the Suijinmon gate where the bus stop is located, a 29-metre-high five-story pagoda stands tall as if it blends in with the cedar tree. It is said that it was founded by Taira Masakado in the year of Tenkei (938), and it is one of the few Buddhist buildings that remain in Mt. Haguro, which was in the form of a combination of Shinto and Buddhism. It was designated as a national treasure in 1966. There are a whopping 2,446 stone steps from the five-storied pagoda to the top of the mountain. There are difficulties along the way, so I want to be careful when choosing shoes. When you reach the top of the mountain, the Sanjinai Festival Hall, which has one of the largest thatched roofs in Japan, is enshrined. The current Goseiden was built in Bunsei (1818) with a large amount of money of 5,275 ryo (more than 500 million yen in modern times). It is characterised by a bright vermilion-coloured shrine, and fine carvings are applied everywhere. On the way back, you can also use a bus to and from the top of the mountain.

Later, when I researched online about places to visit in Yamagata Prefecture, I came across Mt. Haguro, one of the sacred mountains in the eyes of the Japanese. Walking along the shrine trail, you can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and fresh air along the way. The black five-story pagoda has been repaired, so be sure to come and see it if you have the chance. #Japan #JapaneseAttractions #Yamagata #Mt.Haguro #MarchDestinations2025

#Travelwithme If you want to go somewhere, get away, or get away from the present, I recommend Mt. Haguro of the Dewa Sanzan.✨The Dewa Sanzan mountains in Yamagata are a mystical mountain where life is said to be "revived" while you are still alive, with Mt. Haguro governing the present, Mt. Gassan governing the past, and Mt. Yudono governing the future.😳💗It is a sacred place and power spot for mountain worship with a history of over 1400 years✨✨The approach to Mt. Haguro consists of 2446 stone steps and three slopes! The slopes are quite tough, but it was nice to feel the encouragement and warmth of the people passing by. 📍 Mt. Haguro━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Address: Temagoe, Haguro-cho, Tsuruoka-shi, YamagataHow to get there: 53 minutes by bus from JR Tsuruoka Station (to the summit) 38 minutes by bus from JR Tsuruoka Station (get off at "Zuishinmon") 50 minutes on foot from Zuishinmon (to the summit)Recommended point: A sacred place that has existed since ancient times #Mt. Haguro #Yamagata sightseeing #breathtaking views #Dewa Sanzan #solo travel

Haguro Mountain, where the stone steps are pilgrimage, is located in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, which is called the Shonai region. It can be accessed by car from Tsuruoka City in about 30 minutes. Location: Haguro Mountain, Temukai, Haguro-cho, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture Access: By car Approximately 10 km from Tsuruoka IC on the Yamagata Expressway via the Tsuruoka-Haguro Line, approximately 15 km from Shonai Asahi IC, approximately 30 km from Shonai Airport *The Haguro Mountain Toll Road is used to reach the summit of Haguro Mountain. Please use the toll road during its operating hours. By Bus From Tsuruoka City, take the Shonai Kotsu bus bound for Haguro Mountain Top for about 50 minutes and get off at the last stop. #Japan #Mountain