Winter Yamabushi Training Experience
Yamagata Prefecture
A spiritual experience 1300 years in the making
Jionji Temple, an ancient temple located in Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture, is said to have been founded during the Nara period. It once flourished as one of Tohoku’s leading religious sites. Behind Jionji Temple lies the “mountain of asceticism,” where mountain ascetics have practiced their training since ancient times.
Walking the snowy ascetic trails is a very rare and special experience, even in Japan. This private experience gives you unprecedented access, allowing you to immerse yourself in Japanese spiritual culture and nature worship while walking along the path of prayer with a guide who carries on the tradition of mountain ascetic culture. Walking through the quiet, snow-covered mountains in white robes and winter gear is a one-of-a-kind spiritual experience.
This experience is not a serious mountain climb, but a spiritual hike to experience Shugendo culture and nature. Escape from your busy daily life, and spend some quiet time reflecting on yourself on a mountain where prayers have continued for 1300 years.
Sample Itinerary
Clad in traditional robes, experience Shugendo firsthand
After changing into the traditional Yamabushi shiroshozoku white robes and equipping with winter gear, tackle this ancient spiritual trek with the guidance and teachings of a local Yamabushi mountain ascetic monk and dedicated, private interpreter. Accompanied by the sound of the Yamabushi’s conch, ascend the mountain via a stone staircase through the woods and a gentle mountain path. Along the way, admire various historical sites, such as the ruins of a mountain castle, which speak to the long history of this sacred place. During the ascent, your guide will teach and lead you in traditional Rokkon Shojo chants meant to enable purification of the six senses, a truly authentic shugendo training experience.
A magnificent view from a sacred mountain
Upon arriving at Sannodai, a viewpoint on the mountain ridge, a magnificent panoramic view of the Yamagata basin unfolds. On a clear day, you can see Mount Gassan, one of Tohoku’s most sacred peaks, Mount Hayama, a mountain of religious significance, the majestic Asahi Mountain Range, and to the east, the Zao and Ou mountain ranges. Below, the Mogami River flows through the Yamagata basin and the town of Sagae, creating a beautiful, quintessentially Japanese scene. In this place, quietly feel the centuries-old spiritual culture of Japan, in which nature itself has been revered as a deity.
At the top, enjoy a light snack inspired by the training of Yamabushi monks with your guides as you meditate on the journey you have taken. The meal is simple yet heartwarming, consisting of rice balls, pickles, and warm tea served in a bamboo tube. After your meal, descend the mountain, carrying with you the tranquility and majesty of this natural landscape.
Experience Snapshot
What's Included
- Winter Yamabushi mountain ascetic training fee
- Mountain ascetic guide fee
- Traditional Yamabushi shirosozoku white clothes rental
- Snowshoe and long boot rental (winter)
- Shugendo maintenance fee (includes snow trampling the day before)
- Tea break with snacks
- English speaking interpreter guide
- Insurance Premium
Exclusions
- Jionji Temple admission fee
- Transportation to and from the start and end points of the experience.
Cost
Solo travellers: ¥85,000
2-6 travellers: ¥50,000 per person
*The standard plan does not include a visit to the Jionji Temple Main Hall. For an additional ¥700 admission fee, a guided tour of this temple by a Yamabushi (mountain monk) will be available.
Experience Availability
Held all year round
*This experience is sold as a winter product, but it can be experienced all year round.
*Due to Yamabushi rituals or duties, there may be dates that this experience is unavailable. If this is the case for your preferred date, we will contact you as soon as possible after you submit your inquiry.
Average Duration
- Short Course: 2 hours
- Long Course: 3 hours
Participants
From 1 – 6 guests.
Location
Meet your guide and yamabushi at Jionji Temple No. 1 Parking Lot or inside the Jionji Temple grounds
Important notes
Reservation availability may vary. Reserve to confirm availability.
Please notify us at least 3 days before if you must cancel or modify your reservation.
This tour requires at least one hour of mountain climbing experience, as you will be climbing up and down mountain slopes. Please note that there may be snowfall in winter, so you will need winter boots with traction during this season. Participants must be healthy and reasonably fit to participate, as they will need to ascend and descend the mountain under their own power.
Requests for reservations for this experience must be made at least two weeks in advance of your preferred experience date.
Inquire today
You can send a booking inquiry below. After we receive your inquiry, we will confirm the booking with our partners and send you a booking confirmation email at least two weeks before your desired date.
Please note this form does not confirm the availability of the experience. If your group includes children, please note that the shirosozoku and snowshoes are not available in child sizes.
Cancelation policy
Our cancelation policy for this experience is below. Percentages represent the non-refundable portion of your experience fee. Note that in the scenario of an inclement weather forecast, the experience will be cancelled, guests will be contacted, and a cancellation fee will not be incurred.
3 business days before date of experience
20% of total price
2 days before date of experience
30% of total price
1 day before date of experience
50% of total price
Same Day
No refund
