Mt. Haguro Pilgrimage Hike via 2,446 stone steps & Shojin Ryori Vegetarian Lunch
Joined 2023
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.
Highlights include the Five-Storied Pagoda (National Treasure), a cedar-lined path with over 400 years of history and more!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
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.
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
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
-Sophisticated vegetarian cuisine featuring local vegetables harvested from the mountains.
*If Saikan is unavailable, an alternative lunch location will be arranged; please note that Shojin Ryori may not be offered in that case.
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.
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 3:00 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
-Guide fee
-Gasoline fee
-Transportation (via TOYOTA Roomy)
-Your travel insurance
-Lunch - Please pay at the restaurant for both the guide’s and your own meal. If dining at Saikan for Shojin Ryori, the cost is 2,750 yen per person (credit cards accepted).
-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.
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.
-Shoes must be removed at Saikan for lunch.
-Vegetarian meals are served for lunch at Saikan.
-For vegan diets or any food allergies, please notify the guide at least 3 days in advance.
-If Saikan is unavailable, an alternative lunch location will be arranged; please note that Shojin Ryori may not be offered in that case.
-The maximum tour length is 6 hours. Depending on the pace of the hike, the tour may finish before 6 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
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!
<How to get Tsuruoka from Tokyo>
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.
$416/ per group
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