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Hiking season:

Hike to the top of Mt. Gassan

Summer

Also called "The Realm of the Dead", or "The Mountain of the Past", Mt. Gassan is the most important step in the Dewa Sanzan's yamabushi training.

km.

5.5

Distance:

Elevation:

600

meters

Required time:

2.3

h

Hiking Map:

Danger level:

Several dangers

Several dangers

Dangers include:

Slippery slopes, Unstable rocks, Snow (risks of slipping), Low temperatures, Strong winds

Difficulty level (for beginners) :

Challenging

Challenging

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.

Steps:

1. Get off the bus at Gassan Hachigôme

Gassan Hachigôme 月山八合目 can be translated into "Mt. Gassan's eight station". It is the most convenient point to start climbing the mountain. The building on the picture is Gassan Resthouse. You can buy rain gear, hats, food or drinks here.

2. Have a view on the Shonai plains

If the weather is not too cloudy, you can see the extent of the Shonai region, up to Sakata city and Mt. Chôkai.

3. Toilet

These are the public toilet at the bottom of Mt. Gassan. Use them if needed, but do not forget to leave a tip to help maintain the place.

4. The first crossing

If you take left, you follow the classic Mt. Gassan climbing track. If you take right, you will cross the Midahara pilgrim lodge.

5. This is what the classic Gassan climbing track looks like

6. If you turn back, you can spot Mt. Chokai and Midahara pilgrim lodge

7. Second crossing

Take left if you want to go to Midahara's pilgrim lodge and shrines, or take right to continue your adventure to the top of Mt. Gassan.

8. The wooden track ends

The track is now entirely made of rocks. Some are unstable, please watch your steps.

9. Midagahara marshes from afar

10. Balanced stones

11. Native flowers

12. Native flowers

13. Continue straight

14. You arrive at Busshoike Goya

This is a pilgrim lodge & café. You need to buy a little something to use the space to rest.

15. Busshoike pond's statues

16. The jibokannon bodhisattva

17. Manai shrine

18. Climb the rocks

19. Gyojagaeshi slope

Continue straight or make a little detour on your right to arrive to Manai shrine

20. Manai Shrine

21. Continue straight

22. Take a rest or continue straight

DSC_0456.jpg

24. Go back on the wooden track

Those wooden tracks indicate you are near to Mt. Gassan's summit.

25. Balanced stones near Mt. Gassan's highest point

Equipment needed:

Water

Hiking shoes

Rainwear

Water

Hiking shoes

Rainwear

Sun hat

Hiking sticks

Snow grips (especially in July)

Sun hat

Hiking sticks

Snow grips (especially in July)

Nearest bus stop (start)

Gassan Hachigome 月山八合目

Bus timetable

Nearest bus stop (end)

Gassan Hachigome 月山八合目

Bus timetable

Near this hiking trail:

Yudonosan Senninzawa

Yudonosan Senninzawa

Yudonosan Senninzawa

Where the monks used to accomplish their sokushinbutsu training.

Mt. Yudono Shrine

Mt. Yudono Shrine

Yudonosan jinja

The shrine that worships the rock-goddess of Mt. Yudono.

Midahara Shrine

Midahara Shrine

Midahara jinja

A shrine for couple bonding, happy marriages and plentiful harvests.

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