Announcement of the “Rensei-shugyo Dojo” Yamabushi Training
On May 1st, the Rensei-shugyo Dojo Yamabushi training was announced on the Dewa Sanzan shrine’s Japanese website. Here is the English version of the program:
Rensei-shugyo Dojo Yamabushi Training Program
Information on the Spiritual Training Dojo
— A Mystical Sanctuary of Soul-Purifying Practice in the Sacred Mountains —
The sacred Dewa Sanzan mountains of Tohoku—Mt. Gassan, Mt. Haguro, and Mt. Yudono—have been venerated since the year 593 (Suiko 1), when Prince Hachiko, son of the 32nd Emperor Sushun, opened the mountains to spiritual practice. Since then, these peaks have been revered as sites for Shugendo practice and have drawn deep faith as places of spiritual training and communion with nature.
To this day, practitioners of the Hagurosan school of ancient Shugendo continue the same rigorous mountain training passed down from Prince Hachiko. This program invites modern participants to entrust themselves to the great outdoors, seclude themselves in this sacred and mysterious realm, journey across the divine mountains, and bow before the deities. Through purification rituals and soul-calming practices, participants are given the opportunity to reconnect with the essence of the Japanese spirit and engage in deep self-reflection.
Training Periods
- First Session: Saturday, August 2 – Monday, August 4, 2025
- Second Session: Saturday, August 16 – Monday, August 18, 2025
Schedule Overview
Day 1 – Mt. Haguro
- Reception opens at 8:30 AM (punctuality required)
- Meeting Point: Dewa Sanzan Shrine Office (7 Tōge, Haguromachi, Tsuruoka City)
Note: The shrine office is not at the summit, but near the Ideha Cultural Memorial Hall in the Tōge area, to the left of Zuishinmon Gate.
Day 2 – Mt. Gassan to Mt. Yudono
Day 3 – Mt. Yudono
- Ends around 11:00 AM (subject to change)
- Location: Yudonosan Sanrojo (Pilgrims’ Hall)
(TEL: 0235-54-6131)
Participants returning to Tsuruoka Station or the shrine office will be provided with a shuttle bus.
Eligibility
- Healthy men and women.
Participants under 20 require parental consent (signature and seal on application and pledge forms).
Those under 16 must be accompanied by a guardian or an adult approved by the guardian, who must also apply and participate. - No major health issues (e.g., blood pressure irregularities).
- Must be able to complete the 15km trek over Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan, and Mt. Yudono (approx. 6 hours).
(Includes climbing Haguro’s 2,446 stone steps, ascending Mt. Gassan to its main shrine, and descending to Mt. Yudono.) - Must be able to perform misogi (cold-water purification) and seiza (formal kneeling).
- No tattoos are permitted.
- Japanese speakers only or people accompanied by a Japanese interpreter who must also apply and participate.
Participation Fee
¥50,000
Once approved, please pay in full at least one week before the program starts.
Notes
- The schedule is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
- The guide may decide to halt your participation if continuing is deemed unsafe. Please note that no refunds will be issued in such cases.
- Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion.
- Lodging before and after the program is available at the Saikan, at your own expense.
Reservations: Saikan Direct Line: 0235-62-2357 - Unauthorized photography or sharing of materials (such as prayer texts or handbooks) online or in print media is strictly prohibited.
- For any questions, please contact the Dewa Sanzan Shrine Office.
Guidelines During Training
- Please always carry the provided prayer text and handbook (especially first-time participants) and follow along during chanting and rituals.
- During worship, chant with focus and sincerity. Perform rituals such as the two bows, two claps, and one bow with a unified spirit.
- Keep your white headband (hachimaki) on at all times, even during breaks, to maintain the solemnity of the practice.
- Refrain from using cameras, phones, vending machines, TVs, or magazines during training, as a general rule.
- Smoking is only permitted during breaks. Alcohol is allowed only at the closing ceremony.
Application Guidelines
- Submit the required forms by post only with signature and seal.
Phone, fax, or email applications will not be accepted (inquiries only). - You may not apply for both sessions.
- Application deadline: Must arrive by the end of May (Reiwa 7 / 2025)
If applications exceed capacity, a lottery will be held (first-come, first-served no longer applies). - Approval/rejection notifications will be sent in June.
Approved applicants must bring their approval notice to the reception desk on the first day.
How to Apply
Please download and print the following three forms:
- Application Form (signature and seal required)
- Medical Questionnaire
If you are currently undergoing medical treatment or within one year of surgery, a doctor’s note is required. - Pledge Form (signature and seal required)
Send all three completed documents to:
To: Dewa Sanzan Shrine – Ascetic Training Program Office
7 Tōge, Haguromachi, Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata 997-0292, Japan
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Once your application is approved, a postal payment slip will be included with the notification. You may pay via postal transfer, cash envelope, or bring the payment directly to the shrine office.
