TheDewaSanzan.com serves as a comprehensive portal for tourism information on the sacred Dewa Sanzan mountains, located in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. The website was developed by the local Destination Management Organization (DMO), DEGAM Tsuruoka Tourism Bureau, on behalf of Shoko Travel, an initiative part of a government-funded project led by the Ministry of the Environment (2024–2025) to promote sustainable adventure tourism in Bandai-Asahi National Park, with the official approval of the Dewa Sanzan Shrine.
The primary aim of this platform is to provide travelers with clear, trustworthy guidance for exploring the Dewa Sanzan mountains—while honoring the region’s deep spiritual heritage and safeguarding its natural environment. It also features current tours and activities offered by local travel agencies, allowing visitors to experience the area’s cultural and spiritual significance through carefully designed programs.
About the Bandai-Asahi National Park
Designation Date: September 5, 1950
Total Area: 186,375 hectares
Location: Yamagata, Fukushima, and Niigata Prefectures
With alpine flora preserving the beauty of ancient times, and dynamic volcanic landscapes in constant transformation, Bandai-Asahi National Park spans a vast area encompassing the Dewa Sanzan, the Asahi and Iide mountain ranges, the Azuma mountain range, Mt. Bandai, and Lake Inawashiro. It is the third largest national park in Japan in terms of land area.
The Dewa Sanzan are renowned for their deep-rooted spiritual heritage as a center of mountain worship, offering a unique historical and cultural appeal. The Iide and Asahi ranges preserve a primeval natural environment, featuring majestic peaks and serene alpine meadows that greet visitors after long approaches with a sense of tranquility and grace.
The Azuma range and Mt. Bandai area captivate visitors with powerful volcanic terrain, as well as a rich mosaic of forests and lakes that form a diverse and dynamic landscape. Easily accessible from major urban areas, this region is a popular year-round destination for a wide variety of recreational activities, including hiking, nature exploration, hot springs, and winter sports.
Bandai-Asahi National Park is a place of exceptional natural and cultural value, where deep forests, dramatic volcanic formations, pristine lakes, and centuries-old mountain faith come together. Its vast expanse offers mountains suitable for all levels—from beginners to seasoned climbers—attracting nature lovers and mountaineers from across the country and beyond.
Official Website of the Bandai-Asahi National Park: https://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/bandai/point/index.html
Official Website of the Japanese Ministry of Environment:
https://www.env.go.jp/en
The whole Bandai-Asahi National Park in video
Discover more videos about the Japanese national parks on the National Parks of Japan’s Youtube channel
