The three sacred mountains of Dewa, known as the Dewa Sanzan, are Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan, and Mt. Yudono. Representing birth, death, and rebirth, they have been visited by pilgrims for over a thousand years. Each mountain has its own shrine, but deities of all three mountains are also enshrined at Sanjin Gosaiden, or “Hall of the Three,” on Mt. Haguro. Legend has it that 1,400 years ago, Prince Hachiko, son of the 32nd emperor Sushun, was guided by a divine three-legged crow to found this shrine.

At the Mt. Haguro Saikan temple lodge visitors can enjoy a meal of shojin ryori, the monks’ ascetic vegetarian cuisine, and can even stay the night (reservations required).