Yamagata Prefecture
Yamabushi Waterfall Training on the Dewa Sanzan Mountains
Experience a key part of the training of the Yamabushi mountain priests of the Dewa Sanzan (Three Holy Mountains of Dewa) in this special experience program. This program is an intensive activity that is part of the efforts of the Yamabushi to share their culture and story with the world. Rather than a tourist activity, travelers should recognize that you will have the special privilege to enter into one of the most sacred sites of these mountains on Mt. Yudono where you will train alongside devout practitioners.
Applicants must be in perfect health and notify us of any injuries or health conditions.
To take part in this experience, travelers must carefully read through this article and conditions.
Experience Waterfall Training at Mt. Yudono
What's Included
Dressing into Shirosozoku robes.
Hike along the secret trails of Mt. Yudono to perform prayers and rituals right under one of the waterfalls.
Purifying rituals (paper effigy) to enter the shrine complex.
Make offerings to the mountain.
Take part in a ritual after the waterfall training with the Yamabushi.
Cost
Subject to availability, starting at 200,000 yen for two people.
Please inquire for more information.
There are additional charges for the purchasing of Yamabushi clothing, which is unable to be rented out due to the way it is worn.
Men: from 1,300 yen (traditional underwear, headband, sandals)
Women: from 5,300 yen (top and bottom robes, headband, sandals)
All purchased clothing may be taken home with you as part of the experience.
Experience Availability
Early Summer to Early Fall
Average Duration
5 – 6 hours
Meeting Location
Mt. Yudono
Minimum amount of participants
2 people (single participants can take part if they pay for 2 people).
Important notes
A local guide is required to be present for this experience to help lead the activity alongside the Yamabushi. This is as much for safety and liability reasons as it is for translation and the stable flow of the experience. Exceptions cannot be made even if participants can speak Japanese fluently.
Any and all forms of photography or videos are strictly forbidden at this holy site of incredible importance to the Yamabushi.
These are outdoor activities, and may be subject to cancellation if the weather presents dangerous conditions.
This experience follows strict cancellation policies. Please review them below.
Waterfall Training at Mt. Yudono
This experience starts with dressing into the shirosozoku robes of the Yamabushi on Mt. Yudono.
Please note that participants may wear swimwear under their robes during the waterfall training if they are shy.
Swimwear should be plain ideally white or black. It should not have large logos, images, or any designs which can be interpreted as offensive or disrespectful.
After dressing in these robes, participants will hike along the secret trails of Mt. Yudono to sacred waterfalls that are strictly off limits without explicit approval and guidance by the shrine. Please review the picture below to see the physically demanding nature of walking along these rocky river banks.
Arriving at the waterfall, participants will then be led through a series of rituals and preparation for the waterfall meditation.
Note that the location of this meditation will adjust to water levels and other conditions as decided by the Yamabushi. Some waterfalls may be dangerous to enter based on the conditions of visit.
Please be aware that the water you will make prayers under is from melted snow high up in the mountains.
The length of your prayers under the waterfall will be determined by your Yamabushi guide.
Note that the right to enter and remain under the falls is strictly based on the decision of the Yamabushi.
The last part of this training will be to take part in a ritual for your newly purified bodies after the waterfall ritual.
To conclude this training, you will receive a charm and amulet from the Yamabushi of Mt. Yudono recognizing your completion of the trials on this day.
Inquiry Form
You can send a booking inquiry for your experience below.
Please note that this experience does not have instant confirmation, we will check the availability of the program first.
There are no public tours or join on tours, each experience is a private experience special to you and your group.
Please carefully read the cancellation table before as well.
This experience is specially arranged with the Yamabushi and shrine and cancellations for this experience are strictly enforced.
Cancelation policy
This experience has a 20% non-refundable deposit due to the nature and difficulty of arrangements.
As a general rule, we ask that you only book this experience if you are certain it is right for you.
Date changes maybe considered on a case by case basis, even if the change request is made within our cancellation period.
The Hidden Japan retains the right to judge and accept these requests.
Immediate Upon Booking
20% non refundable deposit
14 business days before date of experience
50% of total price
10 business days before date of experience
100% of total price
Date or Time Change Requests
100% of total price
