![](https://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0675.jpg)
Hike from Mt. Gassan to Mt. Yudono 月山から湯殿山までの登山道
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.
Distance | 5.1km |
Elevation | -1130meters |
Required Time | 2.3h |
Danger level | Dangerous *Dangers include:Slippery slopes, Snow, Heat strokes, Slippery when raining, Snow (risks of slipping), Strong winds, Ladders |
Difficulty level (for beginners) | Hard |
Equipment needed | ● Water ● Hiking shoes ● Rainwear ● Sun hat ● Hiking sticks ● Snow grips (especially in July) ● 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. Go behind the Gassan Chojo Goya lodge
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0541-1024x684.jpg)
2. A sign indicates the direction you have to follow
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0547.jpg)
This direction is called: “Yudonosan Ubasawa hômen 湯殿山姥沢方面”
3. Do Not turn left at this point
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0545-1024x684.jpg)
If you turn left, you will arrive at Hijiori.
4. Do not turn left
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0548-1024x684.jpg)
Turning left will bring you to Hondôji temple.
5. You spot this stele with a haiku written on it
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0552-1024x684.jpg)
6. You start your descent
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0554-1024x684.jpg)
7. This metallic map indicates the position of every mountain in the surroundings
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0550-1024x684.jpg)
8. Find the Kaji Inari shrine
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0565-1024x684.jpg)
9. The view from Kaji gakkô
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0577-1024x684.jpg)
10. Continue going down
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0583-1024x684.jpg)
11. Ushikubi crossing. Continue straight
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0656-1024x684.jpg)
12. Approaching Kanauba
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0675-1024x684.jpg)
13. It’s still straight ahead!
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0686-1024x684.jpg)
14. Turn right at the Kanauba crossing
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0679-1024x684.jpg)
15. You should be arriving onto a track with wild vegetation
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0684-1024x684.jpg)
16.After a while, you arrive by a river
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0691-1024x684.jpg)
17. The vegetation is getting wild
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0689-1024x684.jpg)
18. You’re approaching Mt. Yudono
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0692-1024x684.jpg)
19. If you spot this stone monument, you’re on the right way
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0698-1024x684.jpg)
20. You arrive at the Shozokuba emergency lodge
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0702-1024x684.jpg)
21. You need to turn right to go to Mt. Yudono
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0700-1024x684.jpg)
22. Do NOT turn left
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0703-1024x684.jpg)
If you turn left, you’ll arrive at Shizu Onsen.
23. Appreciate the view on Yudono before getting into the jungle
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0706-1024x684.jpg)
24. You are approaching the Gakkôzaka slope
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0709-1024x684.jpg)
25. This is the Gakkôzaka
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0712-1024x684.jpg)
This is the most dangerous part of the trail. Several ladders allow you to go down to Mt. Yudono. But be careful: it can be very slippery especially after the rain.
26. Go down with extra caution
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0713-1024x684.jpg)
27. Another ladder
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0716-1024x684.jpg)
28. Yes, it’s another ladder
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0717-1024x684.jpg)
29. This is what it looks like from below.
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0715-684x1024.jpg)
30. Rest assured: no more ladder from this point
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0719-1024x684.jpg)
31. Mt. Yudono’s purification ritual post
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/YDNMTSR1-1024x683.jpg)
32. Yudonosan shrine
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/YDNMTSR5-1024x683.jpg)
You need to take the purification prayer (500 yen/person) to get access to the shrine.
33. Shuttle bus stop & souvenir shop
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0722-1024x684.jpg)
The shuttle bus stop costs 200 yen (one-way) or 300 yen (round trip) to go back to Yudonosan Senninzawa.
34. Yudonosan Kyukeijo
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0733-1024x684.jpg)
This is where the shuttle bus will drop you. You can use the toilet or have some food, drinks, or buy souvenirs here. The parking lot in front of the shop also serves as a bus stop for the bus bound for Tsuruoka station (only operates during a limited period of time).
35. Yudonosan Senninzawa
![](http://www.tsuruokacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_0725-1024x684.jpg)
This is Mt. Yudono’s torii gate.
Spot Information
Related Pages | Dewa Sanzan、 Mt. Gassan、 Mt. Yudono |
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