2025 Shonai Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

Mount Gassan (月山) is one of Japan’s Three Mountains of Dewa (出羽三山), located in Yamagata Prefecture. The hiking trail up Mount Gassan during the autumn foliage season is a stunning experience for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. In the fall, the trail transforms into a vibrant tapestry of red, orange, and yellow leaves. The hiking season for Mount Gassan usually begins in late June and continues through early October, but autumn is especially popular for those seeking to experience the rich colors of the changing leaves. Highlights of the Autumn Hike: 1. Scenic Beauty: The trail offers breathtaking views of the lush forests adorned in their autumn splendor. The contrast between the colorful leaves and the crisp blue sky creates a picturesque landscape. 2. Flora and Fauna: Besides the vibrant foliage, you might encounter various wildlife, such as deer and different bird species. The fall season also sees the blooming of late-season alpine flowers, adding to the trail’s charm. 3. Cultural Significance: Mount Gassan holds spiritual significance in the Shinto religion, and the hike offers a chance to connect with Japan’s cultural heritage while enjoying natural beauty. 4. Trail Details: The hike to the summit of Mount Gassan is moderate to challenging, depending on the route you choose. The main trailhead is accessible from the Gassan Shrine area, and there are several paths to the top, ranging from 4 to 6 hours for a round trip. 5. Weather: Autumn weather on Mount Gassan can be quite variable. It’s important to prepare for cold temperatures, especially at higher altitudes, and to check the weather forecast before embarking on your hike. Experiencing Mount Gassan during the autumn foliage season offers a chance to enjoy Japan’s natural beauty and cultural heritage in a serene and inspiring environment.

#timetotravel Gas-san (月山) is the highest of the three mountains of Dewa Sanzan. Its mountaintop shrine, which stands 1984 meters above sea level, is closed for the majority of the year due to heavy snowfall and is inaccessible by road. Only the summer months see hundreds of pilgrims and tourists hiking up to this impressive shrine. The paved road to Gas-san ends with a parking lot at the 8th Station, from where the final five kilometers to the summit must be completed on foot. From the top, pilgrims traditionally continue down the other side to Yudono-san. Because Gas-san is the mountain symbolizing death, it is typically the second shrine visited by pilgrims, after Haguro-san (birth) and before Yudono-san (rebirth).

#aprilblooms Tsukiyama is one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan, and the main peak of the three mountains of Dewa, "Tsukiyama", is at an altitude of 1984 metres, towering almost in the middle of Yamagata Prefecture. In the northern part of Bandai Asahienri Park, beautiful nature such as primeval beech forests and rare animals and plants remain. From spring to summer, many alpine flowers bloom, and in autumn, beautiful autumn leaves colour the mountain. As a mountain of faith since ancient times, many visitors have visited it, and in recent years, it has become popular as one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan, which can be easily climbed by lifts.

Gassan is a beautiful mountain located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, and is especially attractive for its seasonal scenery✨ In spring, mountain cherry blossoms bloom, and in summer, lush green plateaus spread out. In autumn, the autumn leaves are spectacular, attracting visitors. In winter, skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed, making it an ideal spot for winter sports enthusiasts. Gassan is also an object of worship, with a shrine dedicated to Gassan Daigongen and a rich historical background🏔️ The hiking trails are well maintained, and there are courses that can be enjoyed by beginners and advanced hikers alike. The view from the summit is particularly wonderful, and on clear days you can see the Sea of ​​Japan and distant mountains☀️ In addition, hot springs are dotted around Gassan, where you can relax after climbing. #0 yen trip February 2025 #Gassan

To get to Otawara Shrine, take a 2-hour bus🚌 from Tsuruoka Station🚉 to the 8th station of Mt. Gassan! I wanted to go to the top of Mt. Gassan, but I was a little worried about going alone, so I headed for Otawara Shrine! The walking time surrounded by the scenery of nature is the best😁 Due to the snow☃️, there are limited periods when you can go to Mt. Gassan‼ ️ During the periods when you cannot visit, you can worship at the Sanshin Gosaiden at the top of Mt. Haguro, which enshrines the three gods of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan, and Mt. Yudono😉 When Otawara Shrine was syncretized with Shinto and Buddhism, Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto, the deity enshrined at Gassan Shrine, was syncretized with Amida Nyorai, and the marshland at the 8th station became Midagahara, the "field of Amida Nyorai." In addition, the enshrined deity, Kiinadahime, is the wife of Susanoo-no-Mikoto, and as the name suggests, she is considered to be the god of rice fields, and the marshland at the eighth station of Mt. Gassan is likened to a sacred rice field. And the year 5 of Reiwa is the lucky year of the rabbit on Mt. Gassan. Since Gassan Gongen appeared in the year of the rabbit in 547, the year of the rabbit is considered to be a lucky year on Mt. Gassan. We were greeted by a large stone statue of a rabbit 🐇💖 In honor of the year of the rabbit, the goshuin has a wave rabbit 🐰🌊 And on the back of the wooden box of the Day of the Rabbit charm ✨ It seems that if you have this, you're a lucky winner yo❣️ The priest's sense of fun 💗 meant that the charm I picked up by chance had a seal on it‼ ️ It was a memorable experience 🙌 ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ ꕥShrine name: Otawara Shrine ꕥAddress: Kawashiro, Haguro-cho, Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata ꕥAccess 🚌Small Bus Terminal →🚏Gassan 8th Station →🚶♀️About 10 minutes walk ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ #besttrip2023 #shrines and temples #shrine tours #Yamagata sightseeing #solo trip