The Sacred Mountains of Yoshino
Recognized as part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range, the Sacred Mountains of Yoshino have been revered as one of Japan’s most hallowed places since ancient times.
Since the Heian era, Yoshino has stood as a profound spiritual center —a place where nature and faith intertwine, and where generations of pilgrims have sought enlightenment amid its sacred peaks.
Today, Yoshino proudly bears the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated not only for its deep cultural lineage and enduring spirituality, but also for its breathtaking natural beauty. Majestic mountain landscapes, lush forests, and the ever-changing colors of the seasons—especially the legendary cherry blossoms—continue to inspire all who visit this timeless sanctuary.
En no Gyoja & The Birth of Shugendo
In the heart of these sacred mountains was born Shugendo —an ancient spiritual tradition blending Buddhism, Shinto, and Daoism into a single path of spiritual awakening through nature.
Tracing itself back to the semi-lengendary 7th-century mystic En no Gyoja, Shugendō teaches that harmony with the natural world is the source of true spiritual strength. Its practitioners, the Yamabushi—“those who lie down to sleep in the mountains”—engage in ascetic training, meditation, and esoteric rituals in order to commune with the divine through the forces of nature.
Rooted in the belief that the mountains themselves are living deities, Shugendo continues to embody Japan’s enduring connection between humanity, nature, and the sacred.
Sakuramotobo Temple
Sakuramotobo is a Buddhist temple that was founded in 671 by Emperor Tenmu in response to a dream in which he beheld a single cherry tree blossoming amidst the winter landscape of Yoshino.
For the past 1,350 years, Sakuramotobo has served as a prayer temple whose priests perform esoteric Buddhist rituals for members of the temple community. In addition, the temple is also one of the oldest and most important centers of Omine Shugendo.
Sakuramotobo conducts a number of Shugendo rituals (such as the Saito goma fire rite) throughout the year. In addition, its priests supervise the training of hundreds of Yamabushi, and lead mountain pilgrimages, meditation retreats, and other ascetic practices on a regular basis.
Shugendo:
Japan's Mystical Mountain Spiritual Path
Shugendō is a unique spiritual path born in the sacred mountains of Yoshino over 1,300 years ago.
Mountain ascetics, known as Yamabushi, cultivate a deep connection with the hidden sacred power of Nature through rigorous practices, including mountain pilgrimages, waterfall meditation, and esoteric rituals.
Harmoniously blending elements taken from Shinto, Buddhism, and Daoism, Shugendō offers a path towards powerful experiences during which nature, prayer, and adventure come together to instill its participants with a profound sense of gratitude and spiritual rebirth.
Nature as Sacred Teacher
Shugendō is built on the belief that mountains are realms in which the sacred manifests itself in a concrete, living form.
Shugendo Practitioners, known as yamabushi,
seek awakening through immersion in harsh natural environments—peaks, forests, waterfalls—treating nature as both a teacher and a deity.
Ascetic Training
In Shugendo, spiritual insight is fostered by embracing physical, emotional, and mental discomfort in order to bring about a radical transformation of the self. For this reason, Yamabushi undergo rigorous training to purify their minds and bodies, including:
・ waterfall austerities (takigyo)
・ fasting and meditation
・ long, silent mountain pilgrimages
・fire rituals (goma, kasho zanmai)
in order to challenge and ultimately transcend their ordinary human limitations.
Harmony of Multiple Spiritual Traditions
Shugendō blends:
・ Shinto (mountain kami worship)
・ Esoteric Buddhism (Shingon & Tendai)
・ Daoist practices (alchemy, herbal healing)
in a unique manner encountered nowhere else in the world.
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Zao Gongen & Mountain Deities
Shugendo's central deity, Zao Gongen, is a uniquely Japanese manifestation that blends Buddhist and Shinto elements.
Zao Gongen is said to have appeared to En no Gyoja himself during his solitary retreat atop Mount Omine, 1,300 years ago.
Since then, Shugendo has revered mountains as sacred domains where deities appear to guide practitioners on their path to Enlightenment.
Discover the Origins of Shugendo
in the Sacred Mountains of Yoshino
One-Day Program
Encountering Shugendo
Immerse yourself in the living spirit of Japan’s mountain faith through a one-day journey into the world of Shugendo.
This program offers a rare opportunity to explore the deep cultural and spiritual roots of this ancient tradition among the sacred mountains of Yoshino.
Visit significant Shugendo sites, where nature and devotion intertwine in timeless harmony. Meet a Buddhist priest and Shugendo practitioner, whose insights reveal the discipline, humility, and wisdom at the heart of this ascetic path. Your journey culminates with a personal immersion in the rich iconography of Esoteric Buddhism at a secluded temple— a serene moment of reflection that unites the visible and the unseen.
A journey not only through sacred places, but into the essence of Japan’s spiritual heritage.
Highlights
Culture: Visit significant Shugendo sites in Yoshino – Explore sacred locations where nature and devotion blend in timeless harmony.
Encountering: Meet a Buddhist priest and Shugendo practitioner– Gain firsthand insights into the discipline, humility, and wisdom of Japan’s mountain ascetics.
Experience: Reflect on Esoteric Buddhist iconography in a serene setting, connecting the visible and the unseen.
Two-Day Program
Experiencing Shugendo
Step into the sacred heart of Yoshino with a two-day journey designed to awaken
the senses and restore harmony between body, mind, and nature.
This immersive program offers a deeper insight into the living tradition of Shugendo,
guiding you through meditative practices that attune you to the rhythms of the natural world.
Led by a Buddhist priest and Shugendo practitioner, you will walk the ancient pilgrimage trails of Mount Omine,
where centuries of devotion have shaped one of Japan’s most revered spiritual landscapes.
Along the way, encounter the quiet power of nature, and experience the methods used by mountain ascetics to foster spiritual insight
and bring about a radical transformation of the self.
A truly regenerative journey, this program invites you to feel — not just learn — the timeless essence of Shugendo.
Highlights
Genuine: Guided by a Buddhist priest and Shugendo practitioner, walk ancient pilgrimage trails of Mount Omine and gain firsthand insights into the discipline and practices of Japan’s mountain ascetics.
Meditation: Engage in practices that attune body and mind to the rhythms of nature, fostering harmony and inner reflection.
Regenerative: Experience the sacred landscapes of Yoshino, where nature and devotion converge, offering a regenerative and deeply transformative journey.
Visit Yoshino
SLocated at the very center of the Kii Peninsula at the intersection of the Prefectures of Nara, Osaka and Wakayama,
the village of Yoshino offers the perfect blend of Japanese Culture, History, Nature, and Religion.
Since 2004, Mount Yoshino has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
as part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.
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For any inquiries regarding this Shugendo Program or questions concerning local activities and other information,
feel free to contact us:
Yoshino Visitors Bureau
77-1 Kamiichi, Yoshino, Yoshino District, Nara 639-3111