HIKING
TRAILS & RESOURCES
OUR RECOMMENDED ITINERARY
Length: 21.6 km Elevation: ↗1450 meters ↘500 meters Duration: 9 hours (pauses not included)
See the best highlights of the Rokujurigoe Kaido trail from Tsuruoka city to Mt. Yudono (the sokushinbutsu mummies temples, beech tree tunnels and Buddhist remains), on the parts of the trail that are taken care of by our association.
Recommended itinerary: "From Honmyoji Temple to Mt. Yudono"
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ALL THE TRAILS
SECTION #1 :
KOBO NO WATASHI ➡ HONMYOJI TEMPLE
Length: 5.4 km
Elevation: ↗90 meters
Required walking time: 1 hour 30 minutes
From Kobo no Watashi to Honmyoji Temple
This section of the trail begins at Kobo no Watashi (弘法の渡し), a small temple dedicated to Kobo Daishi (Kukai). Here you will also find a bonji (sacred Sanskrit character) dedicated to Dainichi Nyorai (Vairocana), the Buddha of Universal Truth, who is the principal deity of Shingon Buddhism and enshrined at Mt. Yudono. According to the four main temples of Mt. Yudono—Hondoji, Churenji, Dainichibo, and Dainichiji—it was Kobo Daishi himself who first opened Mt. Yudono as a sacred Shingon site. Beginning your journey here symbolizes your intention to follow in the footsteps of pilgrims who set out on this Shingon Buddhist path more than 1,200 years ago.
Trail characteristics: about 95% of this section follows paved roads, passing through quiet rural villages. No convenience stores, toilets, or water supply points along the way.
For this reason, we recommend completing this section by E-bike, as part of one of our Self-Guided Tours.
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SECTION #2 :
HONMYOJI TO CHURENJI TEMPLE
Length: 5 km Elevation: ↗360m ↘160m
Required walking time: 2 hours 30 minutes
"From Honmyoji Temple to Churenji Temple"
This section begins at Honmyoji Temple, home to the first sokushinbutsu mummy of the Mt. Yudono tradition: Honmyokai Shonin. When visiting independently, take the Ochiai Line bus and get off at Shimomuraguchi, then walk for about 20 minutes to reach Honmyoji Temple.
To view the sokushinbutsu mummy, we recommend joining a self-guided visit. Alternatively, you may ring the bell at the temple residence; the elderly caretaker will open the doors for you. A 500-yen admission fee is requested.
Trail characteristics:
Unpaved : 4km
Paved/asphalt: 1km
Nearest bus stop:
Shimomuraguchi 下村口 (Ochiai line, 1.7km)
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SECTION #3 :
CHURENJI TO DAINICHIBO TEMPLE
Length: 3 km Elevation: ↗50m ↘60m
Required walking time: 45 minutes
"From Churenji temple to Dainichibo Temple"
This section of the Rokujurigoe Kaido crosses the quiet countryside of Oami hamlet, a small and charming village that once played a major role in the pilgrimage network.
In the past, Oami welcomed thousands of pilgrims through the now-extinct shukubo lodgings of Dainichibo and Churenji. These two temples were among the most influential institutions under Mt. Yudono’s authority.
They issued entrance permits to male pilgrims and provided a legitimate space for women to practice their faith at a time when women were still forbidden from entering the mountain’s sacred grounds.
Important: Churenji temple is only open to visits when visitors booked a self-guided tour arranged by our agents. For independent travelers, please place a reservation by phone in Japanese at +81235-54-6536.
Trail characteristics:
Unpaved : 400m
Paved/asphalt: 2.5km
Nearest bus stop:
Shimomuraguchi 下村口 (Ochiai line, 7km). Need to hike from Honmyoji temple trailhead if using the bus.
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SECTION #4 :
DAINICHIBO TO TAMUGIMATA
Length: 5.18 km Elevation: ↗300m ↘180m
Required walking time: 2 hours
"From Dainichibo Temple to Tamugimata Village"
This section marks the end of your first day of hiking the Rokujurigoe Kaido.
After crossing the Sainokami Toge Pass, you will reach Nanakamado Minshuku, where you can spend the night. Please stay at Nanakamado before continuing further if it's past 2pm.
Please be sure to book your room in advance before planning to stay at Nanakamado.
The rest of the trail will bring you to the Nanatsu falls, one of Japan's 100 most famous waterfalls.
Important: Nanakamado is closed every Tuesday.
Trail characteristics:
Unpaved : 1.6km
Paved/asphalt: 3.4km
Nearest bus stop:
Shimomuraguchi 下村口 (Ochiai line, 10km). Need to hike from Honmyoji temple trailhead if using the bus.
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SECTION #5 :
NANATSU FALLS TO MT. YUDONO
Length: 11km (to the shrine) Elevation: ↗837m ↘180m
Required walking time: 4 to 5 hours
"From Tamugimata to Yudonosan Shrine"
This is the most scenic and historically intact section of the Rokujurigoe Kaido.
Along the way, you will encounter numerous historical artefacts linked to Kobo Daishi and the sokushinbutsu monks.
Before continuing, please make sure that you have either:
-
arranged transportation back to Tsuruoka, as bus services are becoming increasingly limited each year; or
-
booked a room at Yudonosan Sanrojo, the pilgrim lodge on Mt. Yudono.
Please do not attempt to travel from Tamugimata to Shizu Onsen via Mt. Yudono in a single day, as this route is too long and demanding.
Important: No photos allowed at the Yudonosan shrine. 500 yen/person for purification before reaching Mt. Yudono's goddess.
Trail characteristics:
Unpaved : 8.5km
Paved/asphalt: 2.5km
Nearest bus stop:
Shimomuraguchi 下村口 (Ochiai line, 17km). Need to hike from Honmyoji temple trailhead if using the bus.
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SECTION #6 :
MT. YUDONO TO SHIZU ONSEN
Length: 10km Elevation: ↗410m ↘540m
Required walking time: 5 hours
"From Mt. Yudono to Shizu Onsen"
This trail is managed by Nishikawa Town.
It crosses the Oguki Toge Pass, a particularly challenging section, passes by Ryugaike Pond and Amaike Pond, and continues on to Shizu Onsen.
Please see our accommodation page if you wish to stay at Shizu Onsen
Important: No shop, restaurant, escape route on this path.
Not recommended to beginners.
Nearest bus stop:
Shizu 志津 (Gassan Shizu Onsen line, 10km). Need to hike from Shizu Onsen trailhead if using the bus.
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SECTION #7 :
SHIZU ONSEN TO HONDOJI
Latest news: January 1st, 2026:
The Ishipane Bridge connecting Shizu Onsen to Gassan Lake is currently damaged, making this section unsafe and impossible for us to promote.
Until repairs are completed, we strongly recommend that hikers do not attempt this section of the route until further notice.
Instead, please take the bus from Shizu Onsen back to Nishikawa Town and get off at Hondoji Shamusho to visit Hondoji’s Yudonosan Shrine.
