Yudonosan

Yudonosan (湯殿山) is a sacred mountain located in the Yamagata Prefecture of Japan. It is known for its beautiful natural scenery, numerous hot springs, and important role in Japanese religion and mythology.

Yudonosan is considered to be one of the three most sacred mountains in the Tohoku region of Japan, along with Mount Haguro and Mount Gassan. It is believed to be home to the god of the mountain, and it has been a site of worship and pilgrimage for centuries.

Visitors to Yudonosan can hike to Yudonosan Shrine, which is located about an hour’s walk from the trailhead. The hike is considered to be relatively easy. The summit of the mountain, standing at an elevation of 1,504 meters, is located further beyond the shrine, and the trek there is considered to be moderate in difficulty and takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete from the shrine. The summit offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Yudonosan is also known for its many hot springs, which are said to have healing properties. The hot springs are located throughout the mountain area, and visitors can enjoy soaking in the warm waters while taking in the beautiful natural scenery.

In addition to its natural beauty and religious significance, Yudonosan is home to the Yudonosan Shrine, which dates back over 1,300 years. The shrine itself has no building, and it is forbidden to talk about or photograph the object of worship.

Getting there

By Car

From central Tsuruoka: About 45-60 minutes drive

• Take the toll road for the last 3 km to the shrine’s parking lot (400-600 yen depending on car size)

From the parking lot:

• Take a shuttle bus to the shrine entrance (200 yen one-way) or walk 15-20 minutes uphill

By Taxi

• Special taxi service available from Tsuruoka Station
• Reservations required in advance
• Contact Shoko Travel for bookings