Dewa Sanzan (Yamagata Prefecture), a nationally famous place of mountain worship that symbolizes life, death, and rebirth

Dewa Sanzanis the collective name for three mountains in Yamagata Prefecture: Hagurosan, Gassan, and Yudonosan. They are nationally famous as sacred sites for mountain worship and Shugendo (a form of Japanese mountain asceticism).

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What are Dewa Sanzan?

Dewa Sanzanis the collective name for three sacred mountains located in the central part of Yamagata Prefecture.

1. Mount Haguro:Symbolizes the present world.
2. Mount Gassan: Symbolizes the afterlife.
3. Yudono-san: Symbolizes the afterlife.

Since ancient times, it has been considered a sacred place for mountain worship and Shugendo, and a mountain of pilgrimage symbolizing life, death, and rebirth

Characteristics of each mountain

Mount Haguro (altitude 414m)

• The enshrined deities are Ide no Kami and Ukanomita no Mikoto
• It is the most accessible and can be visited all year round
• It is home to the famous cedar-lined stone steps (2,446 steps) and a five-story pagoda (a national treasure)
• the gods of the three mountains are enshrined togethera shrine called "Sanjin Gosaiden" where, and it is possible to complete a pilgrimage to all three mountains by having someone else visit this shrine on your behalf.

Mt. Gassan (altitude 1,984m)

• The enshrined deity is Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto
• The central figure of Dewa Sanzan
• Mountain climbing is generallylimited to the summer season(July to September).
• As a symbol of death, it became associated with ancestor worship, and it was once"climbing Mount Gassan would lead to paradise."said that
• Before the Meiji-era decree separating Shinto and Buddhism,"Gassan Gongen,"and Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto and Amida Buddha were syncretized there.

Mount Yudono (altitude about 1,500 m)

• The enshrined deities are Oyamazumi-no-Mikoto, Onamuchi-no-Mikoto, and Sukunahikona-no-Mikoto
• The sacred object is a "giant rock" itself, and it is a mysterious place where photography and even talking about it are taboo
• Yudonosan Shrine's main shrine is a sacred place where hot springs gush forth
• "Do not speak, and do not listen." Nature itself is considered divine, and it is believed that one can receive new life by touching the mysteries of the rocks and hot springs.
• once"Yudono Gongen."identified with Dainichi Nyorai and known as

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Representative shrines and temples of Dewa Sanzan

Mount Haguro

Dewa Sanzan Shrine (Sanshingosaiden)

• It is the only shrine that enshrines the gods of the three mountains (Gassan, Haguro, and Yudono) all in one place. It is characterized by its huge thatched roof shrine building at the summit of Mount Haguro

Google Map

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Mt. Gassan

Gassan Shrine Main Shrine

• It is located on the summit of Mt. Gassan at an altitude of 1,984m and enshrines Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto
• It is usually only open to the public during the summer (July to September)
• The shrine, built in the midst of harsh nature, is also a symbol of the training required to face death

Google Map

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Mount Yudono

Yudonosan Shrine Main Shrine

• It is like an inner sanctuary. The object of worship is a huge reddish-brown rock. It is a mysterious sacred place where photography and speaking about it are prohibited
• Worship is generallybarefoot.

Google Map

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