How to reach Mt. Yudono
To complete the pilgrimage in the traditional way (visiting the mountain of present: Mt. Haguro, then the mountain of Past: Mt. Gassan, then the mountain of future: Mt. Yudono), pilgrims are meant to descend from Mt. Gassan to Mt. Yudono (explained in this article). However, even though there are no buses, there are still several ways to access Mt. Yudono if you wish to explore it at your own pace or outside the official Mt. Gassan hiking season.
Option A : Descend from Mt. Gassan (the traditional pilgrim way), difficulty level ★★★
This route has been the traditional way to reach Mt. Yudono for centuries, but please note that it is quite demanding. You must begin your ascent of Mt. Gassan early in the morning (no later than 9:30 a.m.). If you choose this route, we highly recommend spending one night at Mt. Yudono’s pilgrim lodge, Yudonosan Sanrojo.
This trail is considered difficult due to its length (3–4 hours from the summit of Mt. Gassan to Mt. Yudono), the presence of three via ferrata sections (ladders fixed to the cliff that take you down roughly 250 meters in one stretch) on a steep, technical descent known as Gakkō-zaka. Please take extreme care when climbing down these sections. After Gakkō-zaka, you will also need to cross a wet riverside section that is very slippery.
If you are not confident in your hiking skills, do not attempt this hike. It is suitable only for medium to advanced hikers equipped with good shoes and sufficient water.
Hike duration
- Gassan 8th Station (Gassan-hachigōme) → Mt. Gassan summit: approx. 2h30
- Mt. Gassan summit → Mt. Yudono: approx. 3h30
Total duration: 6+ hours (time may vary depending on experience)
For example, if you start climbing Mt. Gassan at 9:00 a.m., you can expect to reach Mt. Yudono around 4:00 p.m.
Option B: Walk from Tsuruoka city over the Rokujurigoe Kaido Pilgrimage Route (the Kobo Daishi way), difficulty level ★★☆
We have a dedicated article explaining this option in detail. Along this 1,200-year-old pilgrimage route, you will encounter many traces of Mt. Yudono’s Shingon heritage: places where Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai, the founder of Shingon Buddhism) is said to have stopped, steles dedicated to Vairocana Buddha, and even headless Jizō statues worn down by time.
To complete the full pilgrimage, you will need to start from Honmyōji Temple, take the Ochiai bus, and get off at Shimomuraguchi bus stop. Although some sections follow paved roads, all of them are part of the historical pilgrimage path.
This route requires two days and one night to complete. (stay at Nanakamado Minshuku)
Option C: Walk from Shizu Onsen over the Rokujurigoe Kaido pilgrimage route (the Yamagata pilgrim way), difficulty level ★★★
This route is considered difficult due to its overgrown vegetation and overall length. However, it is the most convenient way to reach Mt. Yudono when staying at Shizu Onsen in Nishikawa Town. Historically, this section of the Rokujurigoe Kaidō was used by pilgrims traveling from Yamagata Prefecture’s inland regions to Mt. Yudono.
Today, the path is not regularly maintained, so it should only be attempted by advanced hikers who have been provided with the GPS data in advance.
The trail is over 8 km long and takes more than 5 hours to complete. There are no food or toilet facilities along the way.
Option D: Using private hire services
This is the most flexible, yet expensive option. It takes around 1 hour to reach Mt. Yudono by car/taxi from Tsuruoka city. It is a 45km long ride and is estimated to cost between 12,000 and 19,000 yen depending on the taxi company.
Taxi companies:
- Shoko Hire (Book through a travel agency)
- Dewa Hire (Contact form)
- Tsuruoka taxi (Website in Japanese)
Whether you choose the traditional descent from Mt. Gassan, the historical Rokujurigoe Kaidō routes, or a private hire service, Mt. Yudono remains accessible to those who prepare accordingly. Each option offers a different balance of difficulty, history, and convenience. By choosing the route that suits your abilities and interests, you can experience Mt. Yudono in a way that is both safe and deeply rewarding.
We wish you a safe and meaningful journey through the sacred mountains of Dewa Sanzan.
