Mt. Haguro
Yamagata Prefecture · Japan
Each of the Three Sacred Mountains of Dewa represents a different world; Mt. Haguro the world of the present, Mt. Gassan the world of the past or the afterlife, and Mt. Yudono the future or rebirth.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Mount Haguro, the most accessible yet spiritually profound of the Dewa Sanzan—the three sacred mountains of Yamagata. In the tradition of Shugendo, a syncretic religion combining mountain worship, Buddhism, and Shinto,…
Listen in the app2Zuishinmon: The Threshold of the Sacred
We begin at the Zuishinmon Gate, the traditional entrance to the sacred grounds of Mt. Haguro. …
Listen in the app3Haraigawa River and the Red Bridge
Descending from the gate, we reach the Haraigawa River, spanned by the brilliant red Haraigawa Shinbashi bridge. In the past, this river was a crucial site for 'misogi,' the ritual purification through water. …
Listen in the app4The Five-Story Pagoda: A Masterpiece of Wood
Continuing a short distance, we encounter the Gojunoto, or Five-Story Pagoda of Mt. Haguro. …
Listen in the app5The Stone Path: 2,446 Steps of Endurance
Beyond the pagoda, the path begins its steep and sustained climb. These are the famous 2,446 stone steps. …
Listen in the app6Sanjin Gosaiden: The Great Thatch Sanctuary
Reaching the summit, we are greeted by the Sanjin Gosaiden, the massive main hall of the Dewa Sanzan Shrine. This building is architectural drama on a grand scale. …
Listen in the app7The Bell Tower and Chinowa-kuguri
Near the main hall, we find the massive Bell Tower (Shoro), which houses one of the largest bells in Japan, cast in the 13th century. The sound of this bell is said to echo across the valley, a call to the spirits and a reminder…
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our tour of Mount Haguro, we reflect on the journey from the Zuishinmon Gate to the great thatched roof of the Sanjin Gosaiden. We have walked in the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims, finding endurance in the…
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What is Mt. Haguro?
Mt. Haguro is a place in Yamagata Prefecture · Japan with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Yamagata Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 38.7022, 139.9820 |
| Last updated |