MASTERS SHUGYO

YAMABUSHIDO MASTERS SHUGYO

Weeklong experience incorporating Yamabushi Shugyo under Master Hoshino on all three of the Dewa Sanzan: Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan, and Mt. Yudono. Includes waterfall meditation. Only limited places available.

The Program

Get back to your roots and revitalise your soul with the Yamabushido Masters Shugyo. Incorporating three days of intense Shugyo under Master Hoshino himself, our flagship Shugyo takes you on a journey across all three of the Dewa Sanzan mountains; Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan, and Mt. Yudono, representing the worlds of the present, the past, and the future respectively.

The Masters Shugyo begins with a two-day orientation at an ancient Japanese Zen monastery to familiarise you with Japan’s deep connections to nature. This also helps you contextualise Master Hoshino’s unique approach to Yamabushi shugyo that begins on day three. On days three, four, and five, you are fully immersed in yamabushi shugyo under Master Hoshino on the Dewa Sanzan, including waterfall meditation and other secret rituals. The weeklong Shugyo finishes off with two days of self-reflection with specially designed yamabushi-based activities on Mt. Haguro.

Days 1 - 2: Disconnection in Zen Monastery

An opportunity to disconnect from the everyday world in preparation for your adventure. Connect to your inner self in an ancient Japanese Zen monastery.

Days 3 - 5: Yamabushi Shugyo on Dewa Sanzan

Days three to five are your chance to train in the ways of the yamabushi directly under Master Hoshino on all three of the Dewa Sanzan mountains.

Days 6 - 7: Reconnection on Mt. Haguro

The weeklong Shugyo finishes off with two days of self-reflection and reconnection to our daily lives through yamabushi-based activities on Mt. Haguro.

SHUGYO LOCATIONS

The Three Mountains of Dewa, Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono, have been considered highly sacred in Japanese culture for over a millennium. Traditionally and among select groups today, the Dewa Sanzan is a unique hub of animistic Shinto and Buddhist fusion, where different forms of Japanese spirituality blend into one. They represent the world’s of the present, the past, and the future respectively.

MT. HAGURO

Mt. Haguro represents the present. The Haguro hike climbs 2,446 stone steps, which pilgrims have walked for more than 1,000 years.

MT. GASSAN

Mt. Gassan is the mountain for the souls of the dead. It is the highest of the three sacred mountains. It represents the past, the things that we want to let go of.

Mt. YUDONO

Mt. Yudono represents the future, and the possibility of new potential after rebirth, and casting off the past.

MASTERS SHUGYO DATES

2024 Dates

The Yamabushido Masters Shugyo will be held on the following set dates in 2024:

30 June - 6 July

4-10 August

15-21 September

Contact us to register your interest.

The Masters Shugyo is only available on these dates. For other times of the year, see our Basic Yamabushi Shugyo, Yamabushi Reset Training, or Deep Winter Training. The Yamabushi Reset Training has customisable options. Contact us for more information.

Information correct as of May 2023. Take note that changes to the itinerary are possible.

MASTER HOSHINO

All Yamabushido Programs are supervised by Master Hoshino, a famous local Yamabushi priest, and the 13th generation of his family to follow this vocation. Master Hoshino lives in and runs Daishōbō, a pilgrim lodge located at the foot of Mt. Haguro.

He has dedicated his life to living as a Yamabushi, introducing many people from all over the world to its mystical power.

His approach to the Yamabushi tradition is grounded in deep tradition, but also made deeply relevant to the way we live our lives today.

ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS

Accommodation at the Zen temple, Daishobo, and Daishinbo Pilgrim Lodge at the base of Mt. Haguro and all meals are provided.

Daishobo Pilgrim Lodge at the base of Mt. Haguro

Yamabushi Training Meals — Yamabushi Shugyo Meals

GALLERY

Daishobo's main hall during Yamabushi training

Master Hoshino leading training on Mt. Haguro

Master Hoshino during waterfall meditation

Yamabushi training at Dewa Sanzan Shrine on Mt. Haguro

The Yamabushido Basic Shugyo is a five-day Yamabushi experience under the direction of a certified Yamabushi master. This program has less physical demand than the Masters Yamabushi Training Program, yet maintains the core rituals including waterfall meditation and is just as intense, making it the perfect initiation into the world of the Yamabushi.

BASIC SHUGYO PROGRAM

TRAINING PROGRAMS

YAMABUSHI RESET TRAINING

Reset body and mind with the Yamabushi Reset Training, a three-day program on Mt. Haguro that incorporates core elements of yamabushi training and Zen Buddhism with more modern methods of reflection focused on a spiritual reset of body and mind.