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Visiting Sokushinbutsu, self-mummified monk in TSURUOKA City
On this tour, you will witness the real Sokushinbutsu, or Self-Mummified Monk, in Ryusuiji Dainichibo temple, and also visit Yudonosan Shrine which has been worshipped since ancient times. It is said that there are about 17 Sokushinbutsu in Japan, of which 8 are enshrined in Yamagata Prefecture and 4 of them in Tsuruoka City. You will discover a mystical side of Japan by learning what Sokushinbutsu is all about and what is enshrined in Yudonosan Shrine.
Meeting Point
Tsuruoka Station or at your hotel
Meet at Tsuruoka Station or at your hotel
Meet and greet, then take a taxi. (Needs advance booking of a large car in case of more than 3 guests.)
Ryusuiji Dainichibo Temple
Go inside the temple, receive a prayer and witness the real Sokushinbutsu. One of the priests will give you detailed explanation on the Sokushinbutsu and how he went through the ascetic trainings to reach the state of "eternal meditation." There are many other statues and some historically important objects, too.
Admission: 500YEN / person (cash only)
Daibonji Soba restaurant
Have Soba lunch, leave around 12:20 for Yudonosan shrine.
900 YEN - 2,000 YEN per person, depending on your order.
Yudonosan Shrine parking via toll road
From the parking, take a bus to the entrance of shrine. You will be requested to be barefoot and need to walk outside to visit the sacred areas. There are no buildings, all outside with slippery slope. No photos or videos allowed. Bring a towel to dry your feet.
Toll Road: 400YEN / car (cash only)
Bus (between parking and shrine entrance, round trip): 400YEN / person (cash only)
Admission: 500YEN / person (cash only)
Leave the shrine
Head back to Tsuruoka station or your hotel.
Finish at Tsuruoka station or your hotel.
Ending Point
Tsuruoka Station or at your hotel
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Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee
Your Travel insurance
Guide's transportation to and from the meeting site.
Transportation for you and guide (taxi, bus, fee for toll road)
Admission to Ryusuiji Dainichibo Temple, Yudonosan shrine for guests and guide
Lunch for the guests and guide
Tour Important Information
Please take out your travel insurance as this tour contains some risks of injuries.
No photos or videos allowed in Sokushinbutsu room in Ryusuiji temple.
No photos or videos allowed in Yudonosan shrine past the boundary.
Everyone visiting the shrine is requested to walk barefoot.
Each guest should have at least 1,400 YEN cash for admissions and transportations other than taxi and 400 YEN in cash per car is separately needed for toll road.
Yudonosan shrine will be closed for the year at the end of October, therefore this tour will be available only until the end of October. Will resume next year in June.
Important message from the guide
I'm available mainly during daytime from 8am to 5pm. Night time negotiable.
My area of guiding is northern part of Yamagata prefecture, namely Tsuruoka City, Sakata City, Shinjo City, Mikawa-machi, Shonai-machi, Yuza-machi.
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
