Mount Haguro, Sacred summit of Three Mountains of Dewa in Tsuruoka, Japan
Mount Haguro is a 414-meter summit in Tsuruoka reached by a stone stairway of 2446 steps winding through groves of ancient cedar trees. The pathway climbs steadily from the base to the peak, passing through a forest setting lined with towering old trees that form a cool, shaded route.
The mountain is part of the Three Mountains of Dewa, a sacred pilgrimage site that has drawn worshippers for centuries. A Five-Story Pagoda built in 937 still stands among the cedars and holds the status of a National Treasure.
The mountain functions as a gathering place for Shugendo practitioners who seek spiritual insight through mountain worship and closeness with nature. Visitors can observe how pilgrims still use the site today for their spiritual practices and ritual walks.
A bus from Tsuruoka Station reaches the mountain base in around 40 minutes, and service runs throughout the year. Sturdy walking shoes are advisable since the climb involves many steps through a forest environment.
The shrine at the summit features a thatched roof that is unusually thick, measuring over two meters in depth. This exceptionally heavy thatch covering is among the thickest found anywhere in Japan and defines the building's distinctive profile.
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