1200
Years of history
39
Kilometers long
3
Japanese mummies: the Sokushinbutsu
7
trails
Map of the Shonai region by cartographer Yoshida Hatsusaburo (1955), featuring the sacred Dewa Sanzan mountains at its center. The Rokujurigoe Kaido pilgrimage route is highlighted in red.
REBIRTH BY WALKING
The Rokujurigoe Kaido pilgrimage trail is far more than a scenic path leading to Mt. Yudono. Rooted in Shingon Buddhist tradition, it is closely associated with sokushinbutsu: the self-mummified monks of Mt. Yudono; and with pilgrimage sites connected to Kobo Daishi. Together, these elements reflect the many spiritual and historical transformations Buddhism has undergone in the sacred mountains of Dewa Sanzan.
Today, the Rokujurigoe Kaido lies within a designated National Park, where its fragile natural environment is carefully protected under the stewardship of Japan’s Ministry of the Environment.
HELP US
The future of the Rokujurigoe Kaido is at risk. As local communities face population decline and an aging society, the association dedicated to protecting and maintaining the pilgrimage route are struggling to secure enough volunteers to care for the trails.
By choosing to walk the Rokujurigoe Kaido responsibly, you can play a direct role in preserving both the history and natural environment of this sacred pilgrimage route.
60 KEY SITES
The name “Rokujurigoe Kaido” literally means “the Crossing of Sixty ri.” The ri is an obsolete Japanese unit of distance, and sixty ri corresponds to approximately 39 km: the distance separating Ōami hamlet and Hondōji hamlet, two major centers of Mt. Yudono worship that were once home to authority temples responsible for issuing permits to enter the sacred mountain.
Echoing this symbolic number, we have identified 60 key sites to discover along the route during your pilgrimage:
CHALLENGE YOURSELF
The Rokujurigoe Kaido is a rewarding 39-km pilgrimage route, but it is not suitable for everyone!
The trail is demanding, combining unmarked forest paths with paved roads that pass through historic villages, and requires a good level of physical fitness, navigation skills, and preparation.
Before setting out on the Rokujurigoe Kaido, please make sure to carefully read our safety tips:
