![](https://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8206-3-1-scaled.jpg)
Mt. Kinbo’s Pilgrimage 藤沢から金峯山までの古道
Dewa Sanzan is not the only sacred place of Shugendo in Tsuruoka. Discover another sacred Yamabushi place around Yutagawa Onsen.
Distance | 8km |
Elevation | 423meters |
Required Time | 3h |
Danger level | Caution advised *Dangers include:Heat strokes, Slippery when raining, Fallen trees, Bear presence |
Difficulty level (for beginners) | Moderate |
Equipment needed | ● Water ● Hiking shoes ● Rainwear ● Sun hat ● Hiking sticks ● Food or snacks |
Difficulty levels have been designed for people who have a PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) score inferior or equal to 60. Experienced hikers or persons with a PAI above 100 can withdraw two cases to know the average difficulty for their fitness level. Example: Trails noted “Hard for beginners” correspond to “average” trails for experienced hikers or people with a PAI above 100.
1. Start at Yutagawa Onsen
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8569-1-1024x684.jpg)
2. Go to Fujisawa hamlet
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8154-scaled.jpg)
3. Cross Fujisawa’s ricefields
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8159-1024x684.jpg)
4. You walk past Fujisawa’s temple
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8169-1024x684.jpg)
5. Follow the paved road
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8171-1024x684.jpg)
6. After passing the bamboo forest, you find this sign.
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8185-1024x684.jpg)
Please attach your bear bell to your gear before going further.
7. Follow the road in the middle of the bamboo forest
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8188-1024x684.jpg)
8. You spot the Kinbo Shrine torii gate
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8193-1024x684.jpg)
9. Enter the hiking trail
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8206-3-1-1024x684.jpg)
10. The vegetation is wild
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8211-1024x684.jpg)
11. It is hot during summer, make frequent stops
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8221-1024x684.jpg)
12. Continue climbing
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8238-1024x684.jpg)
13. Make sure your bear makes sound
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8245-1024x684.jpg)
14. Landslides lead tree to fall. Climb them.
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8247-1024x684.jpg)
15. Continue straight
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8256-1024x684.jpg)
16. You get out of the forest
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8260-1024x684.jpg)
17. You spot steles
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8263-1024x684.jpg)
18. You enter a forest again
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8265-1024x684.jpg)
19. Cross the dirt road to continue
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8271-1024x684.jpg)
Be careful to the cars that might be crossing on the dirt road.
20. The slope gets steeper
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8274-1024x684.jpg)
21. Viewpoint on Shonai plains
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8277-1024x684.jpg)
22. Another dirt road used by car crosses the road
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8281-1-1024x684.jpg)
23. Mountain toilet
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8291-1024x684.jpg)
Use if necessary
24. Mt. Kinbo’s viewpoint on Shonai Plains
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8299-1024x684.jpg)
25. This is the Gakkôzaka
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8309-1024x684.jpg)
26. Continue to Kinbozan Shrine
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8351-1-1024x684.jpg)
27. Kinbozan Shrine
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8356-2-1024x684.jpg)
28. Kinbozan Shrine
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8360-1024x684.jpg)
29. Go back to the dirt road but take the other direction this time
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8428-1024x684.jpg)
30. You are in a cedar forest
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8441-1024x684.jpg)
31. After some time, you come across this cave
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8514-1024x684.jpg)
This cave has been hosting life since the Jomon era.
32. Fallen trees on your way
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8528-1024x575.jpg)
33. Bamboo forest
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8550-1024x684.jpg)
34. From there, continue going straight to go back to Yutagawa Onsen
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_8564-1024x684.jpg)