Dewa Sanzan, a famous mountain worship venue that symbolizes "life, death, and rebirth" (Yamagata Prefecture)

The three mountains in Yamagata Prefecture are general term for the three mountains, Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan, and Mt. Yudono, and are famous nationwide as sacred sites for mountain worship and Shugendo.

What are the Dewa Sanzan?

Dewa Sanzan is a general term for the three sacred mountains located in the central part of Yamagata Prefecture.

1. Mt. Haguro: Symbolizes the current world
2. Gassan : Symbolizes the afterlife
3. Yudonoyama (Yudono) : Symbolizes the next life

Since ancient times, it has been considered a sacred site for mountain worship and Shugendo, and has been considered a pilgrimage mountain that symbolizes "life, death, and rebirth."

Characteristics of each mountain

Mt. Haguro (414m above sea level)

• The enshrined deities are Dewa God and Inakura Tamamikoto.
• It is the easiest to access and can be visited all year round.
• It has the famous cedar-lined stone steps (2,446 steps) and a five-story pagoda (national treasure).
• the Sanjingo Usaiden, a shrine dedicated to the three gods of the three mountains , and you can also "delete" to pray for the Three Mountains alone.

Mt. Gassan (1984m above sea level)

• The enshrined deity is Tsukuyomi Mikoto (Tsukuyomi Mikoto)
• The central presence of the three Dewa mountains.
• Mountain climbing is generally only available in the summer (July to September).
• It is associated with the belief in ancestors as a symbol of death, and was once said to have been "because you can go to paradise by climbing Mt. Gassan
• Before the Meiji era's separation of Shinto and Buddhas, "Gssan Gongen" , and was synonymous between Tsukiyomi and Amida Buddha.

Mt. Yudono (About 1500m above sea level)

• The enshrined deities are Oyamazumi Mikoto, Oonamuchi Mikoto, and Sukuna Hikona Mikoto.
• The divine body is the very "giant rock" and is a mysterious place that is considered to be forbidden to take photos or even talk.
• Yudonoyama Shrine Main Shrine is a sacred place where hot springs are gushed out.
• A mountain of secret ceremonies that are said to "Don't speak, don't listen." Nature itself is a god, and it was said that exposure to the mystery of rocks and baths will lead to new life.
• once considered to be the "Yuden Gongen"

Representative shrines and temples of the three mountains of Dewa

Mt. Haguro

Dewa Sanzan Shrine (Sanjin Shrine)

• This is the only shrine that worships the three gods of the mountains (Gassan, Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono). It features a giant thatched roof shrine building on the summit of Mt. Haguro.

Google Map

Gassan

Gassan Shrine Hongu

• It is located on the summit of Mt. Gassan, at an altitude of 1,984m. The place enshrined is Tsukiyomi Mei.
• Usually, worship can be visited only in the summer (July to September).
• The shrine building, built in harsh nature, is also a symbol of training that meets death.

Google Map

Mt. Yudono

Yudonoyama Shrine Main Shrine

• It's like a temple in the back. The sacred object is the very "giant reddish brown rock." A mysterious sacred site where photography and out-of-mouth is prohibited.
• Visiting the shrine is generally barefoot .

Google Map