The mountains of Japan have been revered for their spiritual power since the Land of The Rising Sun even existed. Not only are mountains the abode of the kami (deities) and buddha, they ARE the kami and buddha, and they demand our respect.
Known for its awe-inspiring Okama crater lake, snow monsters, ski fields, and hot springs, the volcanic mountain range of Zao-san (Mt. Zao) has a hidden layer of mountain worship right beneath the surface.
Join Tim Bunting AKA the Kiwi Yamabushi as he explores a side of Zao that is hardly seen by a western audience, and explains the importance of paying your respects on the mountains of Japan.
Zao-san (Jizo-dake, Kumano-dake, 蔵王, 地蔵岳, 熊野岳, ざおう) is a 1841m (6040 ft.) peak in the Murayama region of Yamagata prefecture best climbed from June to October. Zao-san is a level 2 in terms of physical demand, which means it is relatively easy to hike, has a B technical grade, which means it doesn’t require too much expertise, and you want to allow at least 3 hours for a climb.
See my detailed article and hiking guide on Zao-san at https://timbunting.com/zao or my 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata project at https://www.timbunting.com/mountains
You can join authentic Yamabushi training or Dewa Sanzan-ko with the Yamabushi Guided Hike or Yamabushi Reset Program provided by Yamabushido. Visit https://www.Yamabushido.jp for more.
Kiwi Yamabushi Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kiwiyamabushi
Kiwi Yamabushi Twitter:
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Kiwi Yamabushi Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/kiwiyamabushi
I blog daily about my Yamabushi lifestyle at https://www.timbunting.com/blog and post regularly on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok all @kiwiyamabushi.
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Learn about the Dewa Sanzan (where I became an official Yamabushi) with this website I made:
https://www.dewasanzan.com
Learn about becoming a Yamabushi in this video:
https://youtu.be/ozKhnAf-BBY
Any questions or comments please just ask! I also recently started selling Horagai, the Yamabushi conches, if you want one, reach out 🙂
Other mountains from the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata project:
The Legend of Semi Onsen | Kamewari-yama
Japan’s Abandoned Ski Field | Tsuchiyu-yama
The Cherry Blossoms of Kitayama | Sakura 4K
I Hiked to The Medieval Castle of Mt. Yamuki in North Japan
Mt. Yudono in the Snow | Dewa Sanzan | Kiwi Yamabushi
The Dewa Sanzan’s Mountain of Death: Mt. Gassan
The Dewa Sanzan’s Mt. Haguro: A Yamabushi Guide
The Hidden Side of Haguro-san
The Widow’s Peak: Mt. Ubagatake of Tohoku, North Japan
North Japan Snow Hike | The donut-shaped Mt. Yonetaihei
Mother. Hunter. Mountain. Mt. Hokari
The Epitome of Autumn Leaves in North Japan: Mt. Taizo
Hiking Japan: Mt. Maya | Mythical Beasts and Buddha’s Mother
Hiking North Japan: Mt. Fujikura
The Yamabushi Peak of Sutras: Mt. Kyogakura
North Japan’s Waterfall Wonderland Mt. Atsumi
Conquering Japan on Mt. Nihonkoku
Forest Bathing on Mt. Takadate
Sakura Mountain: Mt. Arakura
Explore the Yamabushi Trails of Mt. Kinbo
#japan #japanhiking #japantravel
11 Comments
Why do you climb mountains? For me, it's all about appreciation to nature. To say nothing of the other health benefits 🙂
Enjoyed your commentary very much. Thank you for these insights 💫
I climb because it is one of the few things that significantly helps my mental well-being.
And since I started treating hikes as pilgrimages and challenges rather than just hikes, my awareness of my surroundings has improved and I've even found that summer humidity bothers me much less.
" Yama Zen ichi nyo .."… isn't it ..???
Climb mountains to feel how much we are small in this world 🌎
Nice sharing thanks ✨✌🏻🇯🇵
Great – yes to be worshipped!❤
Very nice. Thanks
For me Yosemite feels like a holy place here in the states. It challenged me and allowed me to conquer myself through struggle. Perhaps one day I will summit Half Dome again but as a Yamabushi to give my thanks to it.
Great video Tim, the shots of fog crossing the mountains while you were talking about departed souls was both beautiful and moving. I'll also have to be wearry of any elderly woman on the mountains when I make my pilgrimage, thanks for the heads up haha.
ρяσмσѕм 🤦
I have been to that mountain to train kung fu and I saw many animals that starred at me like owl. I found it very strange. Then I discovered a small old house with a beautiful woman that invited me to go inside for a tea. She tried to turn me into an eagle. I was terrified and could only escape because of my qi gong training. Then I realized all the animals on that mountain are humans. Please rescue those poor souls from their animal form if you got the skill. I couldn't find the house nor the woman again. They disapeared.