YAMABUSHIDO

Transformative Yamabushi Training on The Japanese Mountains

YAMABUSHI TRAINING

A yamabushi with straw hat walks among the bamboo leaves and trees of Mt. Gassan with Mt. Chokai looming in the distance

Yamabushi training is a transformational self-development practice in the mountains of Japan. It’s a practice passed down through generations little known in the West until now. 

The power of the tradition is in its power and its practicality. Those who participate in Yamabushi training are quickly able to reset their minds, bodies, and their lives. And to rejoin the world purified, and ready for action. 

THE EXPERIENCE

Trainings involve hiking, meditation, contemplation, and other secret rituals in some of the most breathtaking landscapes Japan has to offer. 

WHAT IS YAMABUSHIDO?

Yamabushido participants during an experience on Mt. Haguro led by Daishinbo pilgrim's lodge's Hayasaka Kazuhiro walking on Mt. Haguro's stone stairway

Yamabushido is our evolution of yamabushi practice, focused at delivering the genuine experience, but adapted to an international audience.

We are practicing yamabushi ourselves, but we also live in the 21st century. We have adapted and updated the principles of the yamabushi into our trainings to better connect with the needs of people today.

“Every activity, every experience, every moment - big and small - seems meticulously designed to serve as a meditation and a reflection on your life, and how you fit in the larger world. - MV.

DEWA SANZAN

the summit of Mt. Gassan with Mt. Chokai in the distance under a bright blue sky during a dewa sanzan yamabushido yamabushi experience with Master Hoshino

There are three sacred mountains in Yamagata. Together they are called Dewa Sanzan. This is the heart of Yamabushi country. These are the mountains on which we train.

We are blessed to train in some of the most breathtaking and awe-inspiring landscapes all over Japan.

SPIRIT OF UKETAMO

Participants on a yamabushido program walk into Saikan lodging at the summit of Mt. Haguro. Saikan's distinct roof shape and the shimenawa ropes create an image of olden day Japan

At the heart of our approach is the philosophy of Uketamo. Uketamo is an idea unique to the yamabushi of northern Japan about living a life of bravery and acceptance.

We teach you how it works.

PRACTICAL

Yamabushi in white Shiroshozoku carrying a kongozue stickwalk down a foggy mountain path on Mt. Gassan, one of the three Dewa Sanzan peaks

The experience is a genuine rite of passage. It is very practical and full of insights you will take back into your daily life.

You don’t need to believe it to experience it.

“I learned by doing, by feeling, by listening with my being, rather than my ears. I can only say that the training meant everything to me. That it fundamentally changed me. That I want to do it again.” - JH.

TRANSFORMATIVE

Dressed all in white, Yamabushi led by Master Hoshino on a yamabushi training experience walk along the stone stairway between the cedars of Mt. Haguro, one of the three Dewa Sanzan mountains in north Japan

Participants often mention that the Yamabushi experience gives them a new perspective on their life, and an awareness for living more thoughtfully.

SPACE AND SILENCE

The shrine gates of Mt. Yudono one of the dewa sanzan mountains in Japan during a yamabushi training experience run by yamabushi Master Hoshino

In our hectic world, there’s not much space or silence. Yamabushi training gives you that. You’ll be in the mountains of Japan far away from tourists. You don’t need to speak Japanese. The training is mostly conducted in silence. You’ll be immersed in the most genuine and total Japanese experience.

EXCLUSIVE AND ESOTERIC

Master Hayasaka of Daishinbo pilgrim's lodge on Mt. Haguro gazes over the city of Tsuruoka from Mt. Gassan, one of the Dewa Sanzan mountains and a place of spiritual practice for centuries

Yamabushi training is little-known, even within Japan. We carefully select those able to join. You’ll be joining an exclusive group when you come on an experience with us.

One of the best gifts I have ever given myself. The Yamabushi team, under the guidance of Master Hoshino, have been exceptional in guiding us and pushing us to achieve what we did. -KK.

INSIDER ACCESS

yamabushi walk past mt. haguro of the dewa sanzan's five story pagoda led on a training by daishobo pilgrim lodge's master fumihiro hoshino

We live locally and have deep connections with the local community. You’ll experience things not available to most visitors. This is a very niche world, and to get the most of it you need to know people.

We know people.

YAMABUSHI MASTERS

Master yamabushi Fumihiro Hoshino of Daishobo pilgrim's lodge on Mt. Haguro of the Dewa Sanzan
Master yamabushi Kazuhiro Hayasaka of Daishinbo pilgrim's lodge on Mt. Haguro of the Dewa Sanzan

We work with, and have learned from the longest traditions of Yamabushi masters in Japan. Our signature training includes training under Master Hoshino. Master Hoshino’s philosophy of life inspires all our trainings, and he only works with us.

We also work alongside 17th-generation Master Hayasaka and other senior Dewa Sanzan yamabushi.

INTERNATIONAL YAMABUSHI

International Dewa Sanzan Yamabushi Masters Tim Bunting Tak Kato Kohei Kojima and Rick Erdman at Daishobo pilgrim's lodge after the Akinomine autumn's peak ritual

Our team is made up of bilingual yamabushi. We have the experience, the knowledge, and the teachings from the mountains. Many of the things we’ll show you have previously only been available in Japanese. We will be there for your whole training, but we won’t be holding your hand.

“I believe that enlightenment begins with opening the heart. And openness is what you will find in this training.” -AI.

OUR TRAININGS

MASTERS YAMABUSHI TRAINING

Master Yamabushi Fumihiro Hoshino during waterfall meditation training on the Dewa sanzan mountains in Japan

The Masters Yamabushi Training is our signature program. It is the most unique, and the most intense. It takes place over seven days on all three Dewa Sanzan mountains.

This training will give you a full experience of the Yamabushi tradition.

Seven-day experience with yamabushi training on all three Dewa Sanzan peaks under the guidance of Master Hoshino and Zen masters.

  • Gain insights directly from 13th generation yamabushi Master Fumihiro Hoshino

  • Complete the sacred cycle of rebirth by training on all three Dewa Sanzan mountains

  • Experience deeper self-discovery and personal growth through extended Zen and yamabushi reflection sessions

Activities include Zen meditation, hiking, waterfall meditation, night walks, and other activities aimed at connecting you with the now. 

The program is limited to 15 people. It will only take place three times in 2025. Let us know as soon as you can if you want to join us.

ITINERARY

  • Two days Zen training at a Soto Zen monastery

  • Three days fully-immersed yamabushi training in the mountains

  • Two days yamabushi-style reflection in the mountains

UPCOMING TRAININGS

30 June - 6 July, 2025

3-9 August, 2025

15-21 September, 2025

PHYSICAL INTENSITY

High intensity

MASTERS YAMABUSHI TRAINING INCLUDES:


BASIC YAMABUSHI TRAINING

Five-day experience with yamabushi training on Mt. Haguro and Mt. Kinbo under the guidance of yamabushi and Zen masters.

  • Embody the yamabushi philosophy of Uketamo to build resilience and gain mental clarity

  • Take practical insights from your yamabushi training back into your daily life with Zen and Yamabushi reflection sessions

  • Engage with Yamabushi traditions in the historically rich and naturally stunning setting of Mt. Haguro and Mt. Kinbo

The Basic Yamabushi Training is the perfect initiation into the world of the yamabushi, or a great yamabushi refresher. It takes place over five days in a Zen monastery and on the Shugendo strongholds of Mt. Haguro and Mt. Kinbo.

Activities include Zen meditation, hiking, waterfall meditation, night walks, and other activities on Mt. Haguro and other Shugendo mountains. 

The program is limited to 15 people. It will only take place twice in 2025. Let us know as soon as you can if you want to join us. 

ITINERARY

  • One day Zen training at a Soto Zen monastery

  • Three days fully-immersed yamabushi training in the mountains

  • One day yamabushi-style reflection in the mountains

UPCOMING TRAININGS

15-19 June, 2025

16-20 October, 2025

PHYSICAL INTENSITY

Medium intensity

BASIC YAMABUSHI TRAINING INCLUDES:


CUSTOMIZED PRIVATE TRAINING

master yamabushi kazuhiro hayasaka on mt. gassanlooks out to the dewa sanzan mountains

IN BRIEF

Seven-day individual or private group experience including Zen practice and hiking-style training on all three Dewa Sanzan. Customizable to fit your needs.

  • This is a private experience just for you, or also with your friends

  • Includes Zen practice in a local monastery and hiking-style training, on all three mountains when possible

The Haguro Yamabushi understood that to be able to appreciate life and live it to the fullest, acceptance was key. So much so, their core philosophy is built around it. Translated as I accept, Uketamo is the Haguro yamabushi philosophy and way of life developed through ascetic training in the greatest dojo the Haguro yamabushi knew, the three Dewa Sanzan mountains here in north Japan. 

We wanted to provide individuals and small private groups the same opportunity to discover what the Dewa Sanzan yamabushi have known for millennia, without having to do more intense yamabushi training. So, we teamed up with local yamabushi and Zen masters to create the ultimate personalised Uketamo experience.

UPCOMING TRAININGS

The Customized Private Training is available year-round. Send us an inquiry and we’ll find something that works for you.

PHYSICAL INTENSITY

Medium intensity

CUSTOMIZED PRIVATE TRAINING INCLUDES:


PRIVATE RESET TRAINING

yamabushi master kazuhiro hayasaka leading a pilgrimage experience in the snow on mt. haguro

IN BRIEF

An opportunity to review and preview where you are in your life with a completely private three-day training on Mt. Haguro under the guidance of yamabushi and Zen masters.

  • One day Zen practice in local monastery. Then, two days hiking-style training on Mt. Haguro

Want an entirely personalized experience combining genuine yamabushi elements, Zen Buddhism, and reflective activities focused on self development? Not sure you can meet the physical demands of yamabushi training? The Reset Training Program is for you.

Taking place over three days, the Yamabushi Reset Training is led by a number of spiritual leaders and includes a yamabushi guided hike, guided Zen and yamabushi meditations both indoors and out, ample opportunities for guided reflection, and more, right here on the Dewa Sanzan’s Mt. Haguro.

The Yamabushi Reset Training is limited to only one group at a time on a first come, first served basis, and is perfect for a couple, or a small group.

UPCOMING TRAININGS

The Private Reset Training is available year-round. Send us an inquiry and we’ll find something that works for you.

PHYSICAL INTENSITY

Lower intensity

PRIVATE RESET TRAINING INCLUDES:


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

a yamabushi looks out over the sea of japan during a yamabushido yamabushi training experience on mt. gassan of the dewa sanzan mountains in japan
  • Yes. We actively encourage women to join our trainings, and the Japanese language version of the training often has a majority of women.

  • No. We expect all our visitors to be respectful of the practices that we teach, but people from all faiths, and none, are all welcome to take part.

  • The Reset Training requires slowly climbing the stone steps of Mt. Haguro and is not overly intense.

    The Masters, Basic, and Customized Private Trainings involve vigorous hiking over multiple days, but with frequent breaks.

    The furthest you will hike in one day for the Masters and Customized Private Training is 8 kilometres (5 miles) from an elevation of 1450m (4750ft.) to 1984m (6500ft.) over 9 hours.

    The Basic Training requires a similar amount of effort but on a much lower peak.

  • During the yamabushi training sections, participants are not allowed to say anything besides 'Uketamo' (I accept). Also, there are no cellphones, no watches, and participants are not allowed to read, write, shave, or brush their teeth. This is all to follow the ancient rules of the Yamabushi and help you focus on being in the moment.

    Your safety is our first priority. We require all participants to let us know in advance of their allergies and other health concerns. We take all precautions necessary to avoid any problems.

  • On all of our experiences, a bilingual guide will be with you the entire way.

    The yamabushi training section is mostly non-verbal, and conducted in silence. Basic instructions and support will be given in English by the support guide throughout the training.

  • We need all participants to let us know in advance of dietary limitations. If you have a requirement, let us know so we can try to organise something special for you.

  • For access information, please see this article.

  • Many choose to stay in the region in the lead up to or following their training with us.

    For those who join our trainings, we can also arrange accommodation, cars for hire, or other experiences.

    Please note the following conditions:

    Registration period: At least 2 weeks before date of stay or use of service.

    Arrangement area: Tsuruoka and Sakata city, Shonai town, Mikawa, Nishikawa, and Murakami, Niigata.

    Handling fee: 20% of cost.

    Payment: Full amount paid in advance via PayPal.


OUR TEAM

We are a small, close-knit team of dedicated Yamabushi practitioners who share a deep passion for Shugendo and its transformative teachings. Our intimate approach ensures personalized guidance and authentic experiences for every participant.

MASTER YAMABUSHI

INQUIRIES

Send us an inquiry using the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

OUR INSTAGRAM