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Most exhibited items only have an explanation in Japanese. Please bring a translator or an interpreter with you if you do not understand Japanese.

This museum was established in 1915 as the treasure house of the Dewa Sanzan Shrine. In the 27th year of the Showa era, it received designation under the Museum Act and was renamed the “Dewa Sanzan History Museum.” The current building was completed in 1970. Many of the artifacts in its collection date back to the era of syncretism between Shinto and Buddhism during the Shugendo period.

Shozen’in Temple’s Koganedo Hall, once designated as a National Treasure, is currently recognized as a National Important Cultural Property.
As the sole remaining temple of the Hagurosan Shugendo School of Buddhism, Shozen’in Temple actively preserves and upholds the Dewa Sanzan Yamabushi tradition.
Within Konagedo, numerous Buddhist statues, originally belonging to Dewa Sanzan before its conversion to Shintoism in 1868, can be found. Notable among these is a pair of colossal Nio gods that once guarded the Nio gate at the entrance of Mt. Haguro (now referred to as Zuishinmon gate).
Please note that visits to Shozen’in Temple are closed during the snowy months, typically from November to March (subject to change depending on snow conditions).

To visit the inside of Koganedo, you need to ring the bell at the door of Shozen’in Temple, the Tendai Buddhist Temple in front of Koganedo. The monk or nun will open the doors after you have paid a 500 yen entrance fee.

Gyokusenji Temple, established in 1251 by Ryozen Homyo, a disciple of Dogen (the founder of Soto Zen Buddhism), is affiliated with the Soto School of Zen Buddhism.
Renowned for its Zen garden, Gyokusenji’s garden has earned the distinction of being listed in the National Monuments of Scenic Beauty registry since 1982. You can also enjoy matcha green tea and Japanese sweets with a view of the garden.

Zazen classes are held on the 8th of each month at 7:00 pm and the 4th Sunday of the month at 7:00 am (800 yen at night, 1,500 yen in the morning; advance reservations required).

From June to October, the picturesque rose garden in Atsumi graces visitors with no fewer than 90 rose varieties and a dazzling array of 3000 roses in full bloom. The zenith of this blooming spectacle unfolds in June, offering a splendid opportunity to savor the beauty of these delicate blossoms. During this enchanting month, a local artisan of frozen delights crafts exquisite rose-shaped sorbets, adding a touch of whimsy to the experience. To commemorate this splendid sight, the onsen villagers come together to organize a “bara-matsuri” or “rose festival.”

The rose garden encircles the lower Kumano shrine, providing a serene and beautiful backdrop to this sacred place. For those seeking a deeper connection with nature and spirituality, the main Kumano shrine can be reached by embarking on the picturesque Mt. Atsumi hiking trail, ensuring a harmonious blend of natural beauty and cultural reverence.

This shrine was established in 1337 but is said to have existed as a place of worship before the 12th century since we have found a sword, presumably given by Minamoto no Yoshiie in 1091 as a protective war amulet.

Kihi Shrine’s name is composed of the characters for “food” (“ki” 気) and “spirit” (“hi” 比). It worships Ukemochi no Kami (goddess of cereals and food), the Empress Jingu, and the legendary Yamato Takeru.

National Natural Monument: Kihi Shrine’s forest & lake

Located only 800 meters (0.5 miles) from the coast, this sacred forest hosts more than 450 species of plants that thrive around its lake. The forest is particularly known for its big number of trees:

around 200 beech trees and 180 zelkova trees have been standing in the forest for several centuries.

Around the lake, you will find several worshipping altars dedicated to the goddess of food: Ukemochi no okami.

This shrine was built in the first half of the 10th century under the name of Minakami-gû 水上宮 (a generic name for shrines worshipping the dragon god of Water Mikumari no kami 水分神) but got rehabilitated into a Hachiman Shrine during the 11th century. It got its final name in the 13th century after it got renovated to worship the gods of agriculture and the military.

Its moss-covered stone path and its thatch-roofed shrine (National Important Cultural Property) give this place a timeless atmosphere.

Not far from the Minakami Hachiman Shrine, there is Mizusawa hamlet’s Kumano Shrine, a generic name given to shrines that worship the gods of Kumano Sanzan (another trio of holy mountains of Shugendo spirituality).

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The shrine was first built during the 10th century. Behind the shrine, the giant cedar tree, which age has been estimated over 1000 years old, has been registered in the National Natural Monuments lists in 1927. In 1932, a lightning bolt stroke the forest, provoking a giant fire near the cedar tree, but thanks to the hamlet’s people’s efforts, the cedar tree remained intact.

This shrine was first built in 650 (the current building is a reconstruction from 1775). Until the 19th century, it was a place of conjoined Buddhist and Shinto practice.

The shrine’s territory was widely rearranged after the Meiji Restauration in 1868 to separate Buddhism and Shintoism in this place. The final constructions were finished in 1882.

There is a giant Breasted Ginkgo Tree (chichi-icho 乳銀杏) in front of the main shrine that is worshiped as a holy tree.

The Shonai Shrine stands on the grounds where the Shonai Domain castle, Tsurugaoka-jo, once stood. The castle was dismantled following the conclusion of the Boshin War in the 19th century. In 1877, the Shonai Shrine was established in its stead, dedicated to venerating the former feudal clan of the area, the Shonai Clan. The Shonai Clan, led by the Sakai family, arrived in the 17th century in Tsuruoka and made the region flourish thanks to the development of agricultural techniques and high educational standards. The Shonai Clan is famous for “never losing a war” in its history, even during the Boshin War. They were the last clan in all of Japan to surrender to the new government. For this reason, the Shonai Clan is still very much loved by the locals and worshiped as real deities in the Shonai Shrine.
Situated within Tsuruoka Park, the Shonai Shrine is positioned in what was once the precinct of the Tsurugaoka-jo castle (the Shonai Clan’s castle). It takes a central role in organizing major events within the park, such as the Shonai Taisai Festival held every year and the Tanabata celebrations on July 7th.
Annually in March, the shrine showcases its collection of Hina dolls as part of the Hinamatsuri festivities. This exhibition takes place in the “homotsuden” (Treasure Hall), a dedicated building within the shrine grounds.
In July, the shrine holds a series of events for the Tanabata Matsuri, including light-up events at night and floral decorations.

Ryuoson Zenpoji holds a significant place among the Three Main Soto Zen Buddhist temples in Japan, standing alongside Myogonji Temple in Aichi Prefecture and Saijôji Temple in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Initially constructed in the 10th century, the temple was named Ryûgeji, translating to “the temple of the Lotus and the Dragon.” While it did not start as a Zen temple, the original name reflects the practice of dragon-god worship that has been integral to the temple since its inception. It underwent a transformation into Zen Buddhism in the 15th century, acquiring its current name, Zenpoji.
Being one of the oldest dragon-worshipping temples in the northern region, Zenpoji attracts many fishermen and sailors from the Tohoku region who come to pray to the dragon god. In Japanese culture, dragons are revered as water gods, believed to influence aspects such as fishing, healing, travel, agriculture, and fertility.

Zenpoji played a crucial role in the growth of the Kitamaebune maritime road during the 18th and 19th centuries. Travelers, including merchants and fishermen navigating by sea, sought the protection of the dragon god for their journeys. Generous donations from these visitors enabled the construction of the Gohyakurakan-dô in 855. This structure houses 531 statues known as “Gohyaku Rakan” or the “500 Arhats.” Each statue displays unique expressions and faces, providing a place for people to pay respects to their departed loved ones. This was especially meaningful at a time when individuals lacked visual representations like photographs for remembrance.

It is said that Kobo-Daishi (or Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism (the esoteric school of Buddhism specific to Japan), himself built this temple in 825 (a few years after Dainichibo Temple). With Dainichibo Temple, they constitute the pillars of the Shingon Buddhism practice around Mt. Yudono.

This is where you will find Tetsumonkai’s mummy, the most famous sokushinbutsu of them all. Tetsumonkai was born in 1789 and died in 1830 at the age of 71. He entered Churenji Temple at the age of 21. Feeling remorse for his past crimes (he murdered two soldiers as an act of self-defense), he chose to serve the people by becoming a Buddhist monk. He led his training further by undertaking the sokushinbutsu training, which he successfully accomplished to the end.

Apart from the mummy, you will find a strange pop-art ceiling with dozens of pop culture icons painted in bright colors, and a 200-year-old Sakura tree: the Shimekakezakura.

Since 2023, the temple only accepts people who ask for a prayer service BEFOREHAND.

This is where you will find Honmyokai’s mummy, the oldest of all the sokushinbutsu in Tsuruoka City, yet the most well preserved of them all. Honmyokai’s name was Togashi Yoshibei 富樫吉兵衛. He was once a samurai at the service of the Shonai Clan. When Yoshibei was 39, the lord of the Sakai family fell sick. Yoshibei and other servants went to Mt. Yudono to pray for his healing. But instead of going back to his master, Yoshibei decided to stay in Mt. Yudono because of the revelations he had there. The lord was furious and punished him for leaving his functions by canceling his marriage and confiscating his salary. Despite the harsh treatment, Yoshibei decided to enter Churenji Temple as a disciple monk and chose the name of Honmyokai to mark the start of his new life.

He became a sokushinbutsu in 1683.