
MT. HAGURO
羽黒山
THE MOUNTAIN OF REBIRTH
414m. high
According to the legend, Mt. Haguro was discovered by a mysterious prince named Nojo Taishi 能除太子 (also known as Prince Hachiko) in 593.
Who is Prince Hachiko?
Prince Hachiko 蜂子皇子 was born in 542. His father, the Emperor Sushun 崇峻天皇, got assassinated by his jealous rival, Soga no Umako 蘇我馬子 in 592. Following his cousin's advice, Prince Shotoku Taishi, Hachiko decided to flee the capital to find a sacred Buddhist mountain where he could pray for the end of despair in the world. The said mountain was to be found in what was called the "Land of Dewa."
He left for a long journey, during which he met many suffering persons. Hachiko "absorbed" their pain with his magical powers and delivered them from their illnesses. All the pain he had absorbed made his physical appearance atrocious, warping his facial features into something monstrous. But despite his scary features, Prince Hachiko was a loving and compassionate man, almost a saint.
He found Mt. Haguro, guided by a three-legged crow, known to be a messenger from the gods, and decided to make it a holy place of Buddhism in 593.
This is the legend as it is told in the manuscript Haguro's Origins (羽黒山縁起), written in 1644.
The Shinto god worshipped in Mt. Haguro is Ukanomitama ウカノミタマ, goddess of cereals and crops.
HAGURO'S HIGHLIGHTS

Nature, Monument
Kagami pond
Kagamiike
鏡池
A legend says the Kagami pond is connected to a cave near Yura Onsen, where Haguro's goddess's dragon avatar was born. In that regard, the Kagami pond is regarded as a divine "womb." In 1931, excavations revealed 190 bronze mirrors dating from the Heian to the Edo Periods (8th-17th century). The pond was then listed as a "National Important Cultural Property."

Temple, Monument
Koganedo
Koganedo
黄金堂
This annex to Shozen'in Temple contains lots of Buddhism icons that once belonged to Mt. Haguro, but were removed because of the official separation between Shinto and Buddhism in 1868. Find the Nio gods statues that were once guarding the Zuishinmon gate and discover statues of all the bodhisattvas related to Mt. Haguro.

Rest area, Restaurant
Ninosaka Teahouse
Ninosaka chaya
二ノ坂茶屋
Need more energy before reaching the top of Mt. Haguro? Treat yourself and have a little snack at Ninosaka-chaya, 25 minutes away from the top of Mt. Haguro. Their specialty? Mochi and green tea. In exchange for your time spent there, you will receive a "climbing certificate" that will prove you accomplished the ascension of Mt. Haguro.

Shrine, Monument
Dewa Sanzan Shrine
Sanjingosaiden
三神合祭殿
This rather new building was constructed in 1818. It worships Dewa Sanzan's three mountains' gods altogether, allowing pilgrims to express their faith even during winter when access to Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono is impossible because of the heavy snowfalls. It is connected to Saikan through a wooden corridor.

Museum
Senbutsudo Museum
Senbutsudo
千佛堂
This museum contains hundreds of Buddhist statues, as old as the Nara Era (8th century), that were restituted to Mt. Haguro a few years ago. In fact, those statues had always belonged to Mt. Haguro. Still, they were kept away from the mountain when the government forbade Buddhism on Mt. Haguro in 1868. To see the museum, enter Sanshuden's rest house, take off your shoes, and take the corridor on the right of the shoe rack.
HIKING SEASON:
MAY - EARLY DECEMBER
DON'T MISS THE BUS!
If you want to climb the stone stairway, you will need to get off at Hagurosan Zuishinmon 羽黒山随神門. If you want to go to the top directly, you will need to get off at Hagurosan Sancho 羽黒山山頂.
IT'S A RELIGIOUS PLACE...
We welcome all kinds of hikers! However, we would like you to remember this is a sacred place and that you should be considerate of the people around you, do not be too loud and do not litter. Thank you!
COME WITH THE APPROPRIATE GEAR !
Comfy before pretty! You will need good sports shoes (sneakers, hiking boots...) to climb up the 2446 stone steps of Haguro's stairway. Please leave your high heels or pumps in your luggage—many suffered ankle injuries for visiting Haguro in the wrong footwear.
Mt. Haguro tours
Yamabushi guided tours
Shojin Ryori Class with Chef Ito
Shojin-Ryori lunch at Saikan
GOING TO THE PAGODA
20 min.
All year round

STEP
1
Get off the bus at Hagurosan Zuishinmon 羽黒山随神門
2 min.

STEP
4
Walk down the first part of the stone stairway (it is called Mamako-zaka 継子坂). Here start the 2446 stone steps. You are currently walking through the Shugendo conception of "hell"
5 min.

STEP
7
You arrived at Grandpa Cedar. He is over 1000 years old, go congratulate him for his old age.
2 min.

STEP
2
In front of the torii, bow gently. Choose one side to walk through the torii. Do not walk in the middle, this is only for the gods to walk. When you'll return to the torii on your way back home, you will walk the opposite side you took first when you came.
5 min.

STEP
5
You arrived at Haraikawa's shrines.

STEP
8
80 meters away, you arrived at Haguro's Five-Storied Pagoda (National Treasure).

STEP
3
Walk through the Zuishinmon gate.
1 min.

STEP
6
Cross the bridge. On your right, there is the Suga Falls. Pray for the purification of your soul here.
5 min.

STEP
9
You can decide whether to climb up the rest of the stone steps, or go back to Zuishinmon to take the bus bound for the top of Mt. Haguro.
FROM THE PAGODA TO THE TOP
20 min. to 50 min. from the pagoda
May to Early December

STEP
1
Walk the Ichi no Saka path
15 min.

STEP
4
You will arrive at Gohonbo-ato, the remains of the region's political chief's residence at the time. Continue from there.
5 min.

STEP
7
Cross the torii. That's it, you're at the top of Mt. Haguro! Otsukaresama deshita お疲れ様でした ("Congratulations for your efforts")