Yudonosan Shrine

Welcome to Mount Yudono, the most hallowed and mysterious of the three sacred mountains of Dewa. If Mt. …

Our journey begins at the base station, marked by one of the largest torii gates in Japan. Standing 18 meters tall and painted in brilliant vermillion, this gate is a staggering landmark against the rugged mountain landscape. …

From the great torii, you have the choice of taking a short shuttle bus ride or walking for about 20 to 30 minutes up the winding road to the shrine's entrance. I highly recommend the walk if you are physically able. …

At the entrance to the shrine proper, you will find a covered area where everyone—without exception—must remove their shoes and socks. This is a critical element of the Yudonosan experience. …

Finally, you come face-to-face with the object of worship: the Goshintai. It is a massive, bulbous rock formation, naturally stained a deep, rusty orange and gold by the minerals in the hot spring water that continually flows…

After descending from the sacred rock, there is a small lookout point that offers a different perspective on the shrine area. From here, you can see the other pilgrims moving through the rituals, their white figures contrasting…

While most visitors see Mt. Yudono in its summer glory, we must also consider its winter persona. …

As we conclude our journey at Yudonosan Shrine, we find ourselves back in the world of the spoken word, yet carrying a silence that is born of profound experience. We have crossed the threshold of the great torii, shed our…