Rokujurigoe-kaido 六十里越街道
What is it..?
The Rokujurigoe-kaido (direct translation: “The Over-235km-road”), is an ancient trail that was once the heart of commercial, religious and administrative activities of the Shonai region. The first mention of the Rokujurigoe-kaido goes back 1,200 years. It connected Tsuruoka, Oami village, Tamugimata village, Mt. Yudono to Sagae, and even Yamagata city. Although its name says it is "235 kilometers long,” the passable part of the path is only 44km long nowadays; what remains is a very challenging trekking experience—even for professional hikers.
Because the Dewa Sanzan pilgrims in the Tohoku region mainly used this route to visit Mt. Yudono, it is also called "Yudono-michi" ("the path to Mt. Yudono"). At the time, however, any traveler would have used the Rokujurigoe-kaido; the lords of the Shonai clan even took it to get to the capital any time the Shogun called them back by their side.
Walking along the Rokujurigoe-kaido is a good way to imagine what life was like for a Dewa Sanzan pilgrim 1200 years ago. You will pass by several sacred trees as well as religious steles (stone monuments) referring to Buddhism and/or Dewa Sanzan. You may rest in what were once teahouses for pilgrims and see many more vestiges of a time gone by.
1630
meters
km.
24.2
Distance:
Elevation gain:
Required time:
12
h
Hiking map
SELECT YOUR COURSE:
1
Rokujurigoe-Kaido: From Honmyoji to Churenji
六十里越街道：松根から注連寺までのコース
The starting point of the Rokujurigoe-Kaido pilgrimage to Mt. Yudono.
Length:
Elevation:
Duration:
6.5
km.
500
m.
2.3
hours (for beginners)
Danger:
Difficulty:
4
Rokujurigoe-Kaido: From the Nanatsu falls to Yudono
「ゆどの道」六十里越街道の巡礼
The final step before reaching Mt. Haguro through the Rokujurigoe-Kaido pilgrim trail.
Length:
Elevation:
Duration:
11
km.
834
m.
5
hours (for beginners)
Danger:
Difficulty:
2
Rokujurigoe-Kaido: From Churenji to Dainichibo Temple
六十里越街道：注連寺から大日坊
The road that connects two of the most important temples in Mt. Yudono's history, each entombing a Sokushinbutsu mummy.
Length:
Elevation:
Duration:
3
km.
10
m.
0.3
hours (for beginners)
Danger:
Difficulty:
3
Rokujurigoe-Kaido: From Dainichibo Temple to the Nanatsu Falls
六十里越街道：大日坊から七ツ滝まで
Leave the mummies village to go back to the Rokujurigoe-Kaido forests.
Length:
Elevation:
Duration:
4
km.
160
m.
1.5
hours (for beginners)
Danger:
Difficulty:
WHERE TO STAY?
You fear you'll miss the bus back to Tsuruoka? It's safer to stay in one of the hotels, ryokan, or guesthouses in the area.
Gassan Chōjō Goya
Gassan Chōjō Goya
月山頂上小屋
The mountain lodge at the top of Mt. Gassan.
From:
9900
Busshōike Goya
Busshoike Goya
佛生池小屋
A mountain lodge in Mt. Gassan that also serves lunch and coffee.
From:
6600
Chikeiken Restaurant & Guesthouse
Chikeiken
知憩軒
A guesthouse held by one of the "100 best farmer okaasan (mothers) in Japan".
From:
6000