Three Mountains of Dewa, Sacred mountain triad in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan

The Three Mountains of Dewa are Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan and Mount Yudono in Yamagata Prefecture. Gassan is the highest of the three, while Haguro is the smallest and the only one reachable all year. Each peak has its own shrine, and Dewa Shrine on Haguro venerates all three.

A prince founded a religious retreat here in the sixth century after fleeing political conflicts. The mountains developed over centuries into a center for mountain asceticism and spiritual practice.

Pilgrims follow old paths between the three peaks and traditionally wear white robes during their multi-day journeys. The mountains also draw hikers who experience the ascent as a personal challenge or spiritual journey.

Haguro is accessible year-round, while Gassan and Yudono close from autumn to spring due to snow. The routes between peaks require several hours of walking and basic hiking gear for the forested sections.

The Haguro Five-story Pagoda is a National Treasure of Japan, and the cedar avenue leading to it is a Special Natural Monument. The Dewa Sanzan shrines once issued passage certificates for the mountain area, and the pilgrimage routes doubled as trade routes between the Murayama and Shonai regions.