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Mountains in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Dewa Sanzan (出羽三山) is in the northern Tōhoku region of the main Japanese island Honshu. Dewa Sanzan means "Three Mountains of Dewa" and indeed comprises the three sacred mountains of Mt. Haguro (羽黒山), Mt. Gassan (月山) and Mt. Yudono (湯殿山), clustered together in the ancient province of Dewa (modern-day Yamagata prefecture).
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大日坊
Offers a priest's remains and various other interesting trophies. English is not well spoken and no pamphlet is available. However, everybody will be nice and comforting while showing you around.
注連寺
Offers another Buddhist priest who starved himself to death while praying. Though this one is said to have been a criminal before becoming a priest.
斎館
Saikan is the sole pilgrim's lodging at the top of Haguro-san, left right before you pass under the torii. A fully equipped, large, impersonal, and beautifully placed ryokan with space for over 300 guests. Meals are a real treat as special monk food is served. Since the Saikan staff only speak Japanese, you can request that Japanese Guest Houses, a free service, help you arrange the reservation.
羽黒館
A recommended place to stay in Haguro.
Regular buses from Tsuruoka (~40 min; ¥800) connect to Haguro-machi (羽黒町). The buses depart from the front of Tsuruoka Station -- there are other lines, so make sure to board the right bus. For the Mt.
Read in the guideBuses shuttle from both the top of Mt. Haguro and the Kyuka-mura stop at the base of the mountain to Gassan Eighth Station.
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