Visiting all three mountains of the Dewa Sanzan in a single trip can be challenging due to limited public transportation and the physical endurance required to complete the entire pilgrimage. At the same time, this very difficulty is what offers visitors an authentic taste of the centuries-old experience of walking as a true “Dewa pilgrim.”

The bus to/from Mt. Yudono that has previously been discontinued after COVID is expected to be restored in June 2026. However, the dates will not be fixed before April 2026. For this reason, we will only list options without riding the bus to Mt. Yudono in this article.

If you are unable to walk long distances but still wish to complete the full Dewa Sanzan pilgrimage (Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan & Mt. Yudono), we have prepared several alternative plans below:

The recommended season to complete the pilgrimage is during the official hiking season of Mt. Gassan, the highest of the three mountains from July 1st to September 15th. Visitor who subscribed to a guided tour or a self-guided tour can extend this period to October 15th.

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Option A: Hike all the pilgrimage trails and do minimum transfers, via Tsuruoka City (3 nights, 4 days)

• Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
• Difficulty: 4/5 — suitable for medium to advanced hikers
• Total distance: 34 km (21 miles) on foot
• Main highlights:
  • Mt. Haguro’s 2,446 stone steps
  • Mt. Gassan
  • Mt. Yudono
  • Rokujurigoe Kaido: Dainichibō Temple, Chūrenji Temple, Honmyōji Temple
• Starting point: Tsuruoka City (Tsuruoka Station Bus Stop or S-MALL Bus Terminal — recommended)
• Ending point: Same as starting point

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Day 1 : Mt. Haguro

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• Arrive in Tsuruoka and depart either from Tsuruoka Station Bus Stop No. 1 or the S-MALL Bus Terminal (recommended for its indoor seating and air conditioning/heating).
• Take the Haguro–Gassan bus line and get off at Haguro Zuishinmon.
• If you are staying at a shukubo on Mt. Haguro (other than Saikan), drop off your luggage and check in before starting your climb.
• Begin your hike up Mt. Haguro’s 2,446 stone steps (about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on your pace).
• Have lunch at one of the food stalls (yatai) at the summit (yatai are closed during winter).

Explore the top area:

• Visit the Sanshuden resting area
• Look inside the Senbutsudo Buddhist statue hall
• Stop by the Dewa Sanzan Historical Museum, and more
• Return to Haguro Zuishinmon either by bus (640 yen per person) or on foot (45min.). Stay in a shukubo, ryokan or hotel at the base of Mt. Haguro, or book a room at Saikan (the pilgrim lodge at the top of Mt. Haguro) through a travel agency.

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Day 2 : Mt. Gassan & Mt. Yudono

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• Early in the morning (before 8:05 am), take the bus bound for Gassan Hachigōme from Haguro Sancho (the bus stop at the top of Mt. Haguro). 1590 yen/person from Haguro Sancho
• You can also board at Haguro Zuishinmon, but this will add about 32 minutes to your travel time.
• Please note that this bus operates only on limited days, as determined by the Shonai Kotsu bus company here.
• If you plan to visit Mt. Gassan on a weekday or on any day when the bus is not running, please ask your Mt. Haguro accommodation to assist you in arranging a Gassan Shukubō Taxi (from 2,500 yen per person for two travelers) as described here.
• Begin your ascent of Mt. Gassan (about 2 hours 30 minutes to the summit).
• Have lunch at Gassan Chojo Goya, the lodge at the top.
• Afterward, start your descent toward Mt. Yudono. This section takes at least 4 hours and can take up to 5 hours and half depending on physical condition.
• Use caution at the Gakkō-zaka section, where you will need to climb down a series of metal ladders.
• Visit the Yudonosan Shrine
• Go down to Yudonosan Sanrojo where you have booked a night previously (12,000 yen per person). It takes 45 minutes on foot or 10 minutes with the Yudonosan Sanpai Shuttle Bus (200 yen per person). Stay there for the night.

For detailed guidance on reaching Mt. Yudono, please refer to the dedicated information page.

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Day 3 : The Rokujurigoe Kaido Pilgrimage, stage 1

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• Before 10 am, walk the Rokujurigoe Kaido pilgrimage route to Tamugimata village. Details here
• Have a pre-packed lunch on the way
• Stay at Minshuku Nanakamado inn.

DO NOT HIKE FURTHER THIS POINT IF IT’S PAST 2PM, RISKS OF HIKING IN THE DARK

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Day 4 : The Rokujurigoe Kaido Pilgrimage, stage 2

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• Before 8 am, pack your lunch and walk the Rokujurigoe Kaido pilgrimage route to Honmyoji Temple. Details here
• On the way, visit Dainichibo temple (800 yen) and its sokushinbutsu mummy.
• You will soon reach Chūrenji Temple.
  Please note that, due to the monk’s health condition, the temple is not open year-round. You can only enter if you have booked a self-guided tour or called in advance to arrange access (phone number: +81235-54-6536)
• Reach Honmyoji temple. Visit the sokushinbutsu mummy by ringing at the doorbell of the temple’s house. Pay 500 yen to Honmyoji’s grandma or the monk directly.
• Reach the Shimomuraguchi bus stop and grab the bus bound for Tsuruoka station/S-Mall Bus Terminal before 15:20 during weekdays, or 18:00 during weekends and national holidays (770 yen/person).

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Option B: “Lighter” Dewa Sanzan pilgrimage ending in Shizu Onsen (3 nights, 3 days)

• Duration: 2 days / 1 nights
• Difficulty: 2/5 — suitable for medium hikers and beginners
• Total distance: 9 km (5.6 miles) on foot
• Main highlights:
  • Mt. Haguro’s 2,446 stone steps
  • Mt. Gassan
  • Mt. Yudono
  • Shizu Onsen
• Starting point: Tsuruoka City (Tsuruoka Station Bus Stop or S-MALL Bus Terminal — recommended)
• Ending point: Shizu Onsen

Day 1 : Mt. Yudono

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• Arrive in Tsuruoka and depart either from Tsuruoka Station Bus Stop No. 1 or the S-MALL Bus Terminal (recommended for its indoor seating and air conditioning/heating).
• Take the special taxi-service to reach Mt. Yudono (prior reservation needed)
• Visit Mt. Yudono (500 yen per person), (estimated time: 2 hours)
• Use the taxi to Mt. Haguro’s shukubo lodge (Haguromachi Toge Shukubogai 羽黒町手向宿坊街)
• Stay in a shukubo lodge (book a room here)

Day 2 : Mt. Haguro

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• 7 am: take part in the morning prayer at your shukubo (confirm beforehand with the priest prayer time)
• 8 am: breakfast
• 9 am: Visit Shozen’in temple’s Koganedo Hall (you need to ring at the temple’s doorbell and pay 500 yen per person to visit the Koganedo prayer hall)
• 10am: Hike Mt. Haguro’s 2446 stone steps
• 12:30 am: Have Shojin-Ryori for lunch at Saikan (make a reservation here)
• 14:00 : Listen to one of the daily prayers at the Dewa Sanzan shrine
• 15:00 Visit the Dewa Sanzan museum, visit the top of Mt. Haguro
• 17:00 Stay at a shukubo lodge (book a room here)

Day 3 : Mt. Gassan & Shizu Onsen

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• Early in the morning (before 8:05 am), take the bus bound for Gassan Hachigome from Haguro Sancho (the bus stop at the top of Mt. Haguro). 1590 yen/person from Haguro Sancho
• You can also board at Haguro Zuishinmon, but this will add about 32 minutes to your travel time.
• Please note that this bus operates only on limited days, as determined by the Shonai Kotsu bus company here.
• If you plan to visit Mt. Gassan on a weekday or on any day when the bus is not running, please ask your Mt. Haguro accommodation to assist you in arranging a Gassan Shukubō Taxi (from 2,500 yen per person for two travelers) as described here.
• Begin your ascent of Mt. Gassan (about 2 hours 30 minutes to the summit).
• Have lunch at Gassan Chōjō Goya, the lodge at the top.
• Afterward, start your descent towards Shizu Onsen. Halfway to your destination, there is a lift that you can use if you need some rest. (Gassan Pair Lift)
• Have your ryokan pick you up from the lift station. Our recommendation for the night at Shizu Onsen: Tsutaya.

About Nishikawa Town:

Nishikawa Town (西川町, Nishikawa-machi) is located in central Yamagata Prefecture, about 32 km west of Yamagata City, at the foot of Mt. Gassan — one of the sacred peaks of the Dewa Sanzan area. Much of the town lies within Bandai-Asahi National Park and is characterized by dense forests, clear mountain rivers, and distinct four seasons.

In 2024, Nishikawa was recognized as one of the “Best Tourism Villages” by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) — highlighting its cultural and natural tourism value on the global stage.

Thank you for reading this 2026 guide to the Dewa Sanzan. Due to the mountainous terrain, public transportation remains limited. We recommend planning transfers in advance.