Kanpei Taisha (combined)

Yudonosan Shrine (Dewa Sanzan)

湯殿山神社

/ Yudonosan Jinja

Admission
500 JPY (purification fee)
Goshuin (Temple Seal)
300 JPY
Access
See details
Hours
Seasonal (approx. May-November)

Overview

The most mysterious of the Three Mountains of Dewa, Yudonosan has no conventional shrine building. Its sacred object is a massive rock formation stained orange by hot spring minerals. Visitors must go barefoot and undergo purification. What one sees at the inner sanctum is subject to a strict taboo of silence, which even Matsuo Basho honored.

History

Founding

📜According to tradition
593 [推古元年]

Yudonosan represents rebirth and the future in the Dewa Sanzan pilgrimage. The sacred site has no formal shrine building; instead, a natural hot-spring-fed orange-brown rock formation serves as the shintai. Visitors are forbidden from photographing or speaking about what they experience at the inner sanctum.

Enshrined Deities

primary Deity

God of mountains, the sea, and warfare; one of the greatest earthly deities

Blessings

Shrine Network

Did You Know?

💡

Basho wrote about Yudonosan: 'I cannot speak of Yudonoyama / tears wet my sleeves' - honoring the taboo of silence.

Source: documented

Practical Information

Location Coordinates

38.5380, 139.9550

Physical Address

7 Rokujuuriyama, Tamugihamata, Tsuruoka, Yamagata

山形県鶴岡市田麦俣字六十里山7

Access

Tsuruoka Station

Hours

Seasonal (approx. May-November)

Visitor information last verified: 2026-04-06. Please check the official website for the latest details.

Related Shrines

Frequently Asked Questions

Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team

What is Yudonosan Shrine (Dewa Sanzan)?

The most mysterious of the Three Mountains of Dewa, Yudonosan has no conventional shrine building. Its sacred object is a massive rock formation stained orange by hot spring minerals. Visitors must go barefoot and undergo purification. What one sees at the inner sanctum is subject to a strict taboo of silence, which even Matsuo Basho honored.

Where is Yudonosan Shrine (Dewa Sanzan) located?

Yudonosan Shrine (Dewa Sanzan) is located in Tsuruoka, Yamagata. The full address is: 7 Rokujuuriyama, Tamugihamata, Tsuruoka, Yamagata.

What deities are enshrined at Yudonosan Shrine (Dewa Sanzan)?

The enshrined deities are: Oyamazumi no Kami.