Dewa Sanzan Pilgrimage Trail

Make your way to Sendai, which is only about a 1 hour & 40 minute Shinkansen heading north from Tokyo. 

You’ll meet the rest of the group and guide at 10.30am in Sendai and travel by local train through scenic mountain valleys into Yamagata’s sacred interior. On arrival at Yamadera, enjoy a regional soba lunch before climbing the 1015 stone steps to Risshaku-ji Temple, one of Japan’s most poetic and atmospheric temples. 

Founded in the 9th century, Yamadera has long inspired pilgrims, poets, and travellers, including the famed haiku master Matsuo Bashō. As you ascend, pass moss-covered lanterns, weathered gates, and quiet prayer spots, all framed by stunning views over the valley. The climb is well worth it for both the sweeping valley view and peaceful reflections.

In the afternoon, we’ll transfer by private vehicle to Tendo Onsen, a hot spring town known for its shogi (Japanese chess) craftsmanship and wonderful onsens. After check-in, there’ll be time to unwind and relax in the hot spring baths before an incredible multi-course dinner featuring local specialities.

Meals: L, D

After breakfast, we’ll journey into the heart of Yamagata’s sacred landscape. The day begins with an orientation and purification ritual at a traditional shukubō temple lodge, where mountain priests known as Yamabushi prepare visitors for their spiritual ascent. Dressed in pilgrim robes, sedge hat, and carrying a wooden staff, we’ll set out along the ancient pilgrimage route up Mount Haguro – one of the revered Dewa Sanzan (Three Sacred Mountains of Yamagata).

Guided by a Yamabushi priest, our hike takes us through a majestic avenue of towering cedar trees – a living spiritual corridor that has guided pilgrims for over 1000 years. Along the way, we’ll pause at the National Treasure Five-Storey Pagoda, a beautifully preserved 14th-century wooden structure nestled among the cedars, its elegant design symbolising the harmony between nature and spirit. The path continues upwards past moss-covered lanterns and timeworn stone steps, reflecting the Yamabushi philosophy of mountain asceticism, where each step becomes an act of meditation.

At the summit, we’ll enjoy a traditional shōjin-ryōri lunch, a Buddhist vegetarian meal prepared with fresh local ingredients, followed by a visit to the Sanjin Gōsaiden Shrine- dedicated to the deities of all three sacred mountains. This deeply spiritual site represents the unity of past, present, and future and serves as a place of reflection and renewal.

After descending the mountain, we’ll visit Gyokuzōji Temple, a peaceful Zen temple with more than 750 years of history. Here, relax with a bowl of matcha green tea and seasonal sweets while gazing over the temple’s tranquil garden – a serene contrast to the morning’s pilgrimage.

This evening, we’ll settle into a beautiful hotel in Tsuruoka City, surrounded by rice paddies and featuring its own natural hot springs – the perfect place to unwind and reflect on the day’s spiritual journey.

Meals: B, L, D

Today is dedicated to exploring the sacred landscapes of Mount Yudono, the most revered of the Dewa Sanzan mountains. Considered the spiritual heart of the three peaks, Yudono has long been a place of rebirth and deep ascetic practice, where the ancient teachings of Shingon Buddhism continue to thrive. The historic Rokujūrigoe Kaidō, said to have been established by the monk Kōbō Daishi over a thousand years ago, served as a vital pilgrimage route linking the sacred temples across this mountain range.

Our pilgrimage begins with a scenic hike along the trail from Honmyōji Temple to Jūō Pass and Chūrenji Temple, a 4.1km walk through tranquil forests of beech and cedar. Along the way, moss-covered stone markers, statues, and small shrines serve as timeless reminders of centuries of devotion. At Chūrenji Temple, known for its connection to the extraordinary Sokushinbutsu (Living Buddha) practice, we’ll pause to explore its halls and learn about this unique aspect of spiritual discipline.

Following the hike, enjoy a well-earned lunch at Nanakamado-tei, a local restaurant renowned for its handmade soba noodles, prepared with seasonal ingredients and care.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue on the second stage of the pilgrimage, hiking from Kōshintō Shrine through Kōdan no Sugi – a towering sacred cedar – to the crystal-clear Yanagi Shimizu Spring. This 3.7km stretch deepens the connection to the mountain’s spiritual heritage, offering moments of quiet reflection amidst the pristine natural surroundings.

The day concludes back at our accommodation in Tsuruoka, where the quiet expanse of rice fields contrasts beautifully with the rugged paths of Mount Yudono. This evening, we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and take time to simply relax and absorb the day’s memorable journey through Yamagata’s sacred landscapes.

Meals: B, L, D

The pilgrimage continues deeper into the sacred heart of Mount Yudono, long regarded as the most mysterious and spiritually charged of the Dewa Sanzan peaks. Today’s hike begins at Nanatsu Falls, where the cascading water sets a tranquil yet powerful tone for the day ahead. The trail winds through sacred sites such as Hana-no-Ki, Dokkochaya, and the ancient Gomadan Stone, once used for ritual offerings, before reaching the Gassan Worship Site and Hosogoe Pass. This 5km section weaves through lush forests and quiet mountain streams, guided by the same stone markers that have directed pilgrims for centuries.

We’ll pause for a bento lunch surrounded by the serenity of the mountains, before continuing with a 3.8km hike from Hosogoe Pass along the Zange-zaka Slope to Senninzawa, a site deeply associated with purification and spiritual renewal. The pilgrimage culminates at the revered Yudonosan Shrine, where worship is offered not in a temple hall but to the mountain itself, representing the living embodiment of divinity. For generations, pilgrims have viewed arriving here as a symbolic act of rebirth, shedding the old self and emerging anew.

To honour this renewal, we’ll celebrate the journey at Yunohama Onsen, a peaceful seaside retreat on the shores of the Sea of Japan. The sound of the waves and the soothing embrace of the hot springs offer the perfect close to our spiritual adventure through Yamagata’s sacred mountains.

Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast, transfer to Tsuruoka Station for onward travel. Choose between a rail journey via Niigata and Shinkansen to Tokyo (approx. 4 hours), or a highway bus to Sendai with Shinkansen connection north to Hachinohe (approx. 5 hours). 

Meals: B

23kg of CO2-e per person per day

We pay for a monthly offset to cover the estimated emissions of our walkers for all trips with RAW Travel, which goes into local reforestation or biodiversity restoration. Explore the practical actions behind these estimated carbon offsets for your trip here, following a philosophy of ‘re-wilding the planet’ with native tree planting & Ocean plastic cleans ups.

A reasonable estimate for a pilgrim is 23kg of CO2-e per person per day, primarily due to hotels, meals and emissions from luggage transfers. The act of walking itself is a form of sustainable travel, so the carbon footprint calculated here is a measure of the ancillary activities surrounding the walk, not the walking itself. The figures are estimates, not precise measurements for each route/trip, as it’s difficult to provide an exact number without detailed data on specific hotels, menus, and transfer routes which vary from person to person. This figure represents the operational footprint of the hike and its included services only. It does not include the flights and other transport needed to get to the start and finish of the walk.

An individual can significantly influence their footprint with the varied choices they make around food and drink at each meal. For instance, a diet rich in meat, imported goods and alcohol, will have a much higher impact than one focused on local, seasonal, and plant-based options. This daily stated figure is an average across all days of the pilgrimage, derived from the key consumption components listed below.

Carbon Footprint Breakdown

• 4 nights twin-share at exceptional ryokans and onsen hotel
• Meals as specified in the itinerary 
• English-speaking guide throughout, with local specialist guides
• Transport by train, private minibus and taxi transfers 
• Guided hike up Yamadera Temple
• Mount Haguro pilgrimage with Yamabushi priests (pilgrim robes and staff provided)
• Temple visit with matcha and traditional sweets
• Shojin-ryōri Buddhist vegetarian meal
• Multi-day pilgrimage walks on Mount Yudono and Rokujūrigoe Kaidō

• Flights
• Train tickets to/from the start/end point of the walk
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Travel insurance
• Drinks, snacks and meals not specified in itinerary
• Expenses of a personal nature