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Mt. Haguro Pilgrimage Hike via 2,446 stone steps (no lunch)

Mt. Haguro Pilgrimage Hike via 2,446 stone steps (no lunch)

Car Tour (driving guide)

Joined 2023

Hiromi O.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Yamagata

Japanese (Native), English

5 hours

Private tour (only you and Hiromi O.)

Up to 2 people

Mt. Haguro, located in Tsuruoka City, is one of the three sacred mountains of Dewa and a historic pilgrimage site surrounded by nature and spirituality.

Climb an ancient stairway of 2,446 steps through beautiful cedar forests and discover a place rich in culture and tradition.

With background knowledge of the history and local culture, you'll enjoy the hike to the fullest.

This tour does NOT include lunch.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

JR Tsuruoka Station or your hotel within Tsuruoka City

- - JR Tsuruoka Station: In front of the ticket gate at JR Tsuruoka Station (there is only one gate). Hotel: Lobby *For guests coming from the Yamagata City area by highway bus, the meeting point can be changed to the Shonai-Asahi bus stop.

09:30 AM

Ideha Bunka Museum

Park the car and get ready. This is the last spot to use the restrooms and buy drinks before the hike.

Walk to Zuishinmon Gate and begin the hike by first descending the stairs.

Highlights along the way to the summit include:

-The Five-Storied Pagoda (National Treasure)

-The Grandfather Cedar Tree

-Shinkyo Bridge, Haraigawa River, and Suganotaki Waterfall

-2,446 stone steps through the sacred cedar forest

11:30 AM

Reach the summit of Mt. Haguro

Highlights are

-Sanjingosaiden shrine building with the thickest thatched roof in Japan

-Mirror pond

-Hachiko Shrine and other small "branch" shrines from all over Japan

12:30 PM

Start the descend of the stairs

We will walk down the same 2,446 steps. Interestingly, the view feels somewhat different when descending from the summit compared to the way up.

***If you prefer not to walk down the stairs, we can take a local bus from the summit to the Ideha Bunka Museum, departing at 1:00 PM. The ride takes about 15 minutes. Please pay the fare for both yourself and the guide in cash or with an IC card when getting off.

01:30 PM

Back to Ideha Bunka Museum

Get in the car and head back to JR Tsuruoka Station or your hotel.

For guests traveling to the Yamagata City area by highway bus, the drop-off point can be changed to Shonai-Asahi bus stop.

Ending Point

Drop-off at JR Tsuruoka Station or your hotel by 2:00 PM at the latest.

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

-Guide fee

-Gasoline fee

-Transportation (via TOYOTA Roomy)

What‘s not included

-Your travel insurance

-Toll fees - This tour does not use toll roads, however, if the itinerary changes and toll roads are used, please cover the cost

-Public transportation fee - This tour does not normally use buses or trains, but if public transportation is needed, please cover the guide’s fare.

-Lunch

Tour Important Information

-This tour requires good physical fitness as it involves a lot of walking and climbing up and down steep stone steps.

-Please wear sneakers or sturdy walking shoes, as the stone steps can be slippery.

-Bring enough drinks to stay hydrated during the walk.

-Taking out travel insurance is strongly recommended to be prepared for injuries or any other accidents during the hike.

-The tour will proceed as scheduled in case of light rain.

-In case of severe weather, the guide will drive to the top of the mountain instead of hiking up the stone steps.

-The maximum tour length is 5 hours. Depending on the pace of the hike, the tour may finish before 5 hours.

Important message from the supplier

**For my Car Tours**

Please note that I set the maximum number of guests at 2, to ensure comfort and allow space for luggage, as my car is not very large. However, if there are 3 people with minimal luggage, it may be possible to accommodate all three. In that case, please consult with me in advance before booking.

**Akita tour available**

I can guide you in Akita prefecture if you pay my public transportation fee to Akita.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2023

Hiromi O.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Hiromi O.

I'm a National Licensed Guide Interpreter based in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. After working for a global investment bank in Tokyo, I returned to my hometown to reconnect with nature and a slower pace of life.

Yamagata is a wonderful destination for those who appreciate nature and rural charm. Tsuruoka and its surrounding area, nestled between the Sea of Japan and scenic mountain ranges, offer cultural experiences you won't find anywhere else. Highlights include visiting temples of Sokushinbutsu (self-mummified monks), climbing 2,446 stone steps to the summit of a sacred mountain, encountering the mystical world of jellyfish, enjoying a rich culinary heritage, exploring local crafts, and much more.

I truly love my hometown and am passionate about helping visitors create unforgettable memories here. I look forward to meeting you and sharing the beauty and culture of Tsuruoka!

By JR - Take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Niigata, then transfer to the Limited Express Inaho bound for Tsuruoka. The total journey takes about 4 hours from JR Tokyo Station.

By bus - Overnight buses depart around 10 PM from Shinjuku and Shibuya in Tokyo, arriving in Tsuruoka around 6 AM. Please check the bus company’s website for details.

By air - ANA operates direct flights between Haneda Airport and Shonai Airport approximately five times a day.