Gassan Shrine

31 Honzawa, Shonai-machi, Higashitagawa-gun, Yamagata 990-6609

A mountain of faith with beautiful alpine plants and a 360-degree panorama from the top, 1,984 meters above sea level

Mt. Gassan is the highest peak of the three Dewa mountains (Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Gassan) that rises in the center of Yamagata Prefecture. Gassan Shrine is enshrined at the summit of the mountain, the largest mountain of mountain worship in eastern Japan, where alpine plants are in full bloom and there is no shortage of worshipers and climbers. At the foot of Mt. Gassan, there are many spots that families can enjoy, such as a ranch, a lake with a large fountain, and a winery.

You can drive up to the 8th station, and Gassan Shrine is at the top of the mountain.

Gassan Shrine is located at the top of the mountain and has been visited by worshipers since ancient times as a mountain of mountain worship. From the summit, you can enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view stretching from the Shonai Plain to Mt. Chokai, the Asahi Mountain Range, and even Mt. Iwaki and Hachimantai in the distance. Gassan Rest House, located at the 8th station, can be reached by car or bus, and the mountain trail from the 8th station to the summit is about 4.3 km, and takes 3 hours. If you are climbing to the top, don't forget your climbing equipment such as climbing shoes, winter gear, and a raincoat.

“Midagahara” at the 8th station, a treasure trove of alpine plants

Midagahara, which stretches beyond the parking lot of Gassan Rest House, is a flower garden on a plateau at an altitude of 1,400 meters, where more than 130 types of flowers, including daylily and skunk cabbage, bloom. It is one of the best viewing spots for alpine plants in Japan. There is also a wooden boardwalk, where you can enjoy a 60-minute nature walk with a 2km loop. About a 10-minute walk from Gassan Rest House, you will find Midahara Shrine, the shrine of Gassan Nakanomiya. There is a stone statue of Nade Usagi, said to be the messenger of the Gassan God.

Mt. Gassan has perpetual snow at the top and you can also enjoy summer skiing.

The area near the summit of Mt. Gassan is covered in deep snow, with up to 15 meters of snow in winter. Snow remains even in summer, and you can see snow all year round. Therefore, you need to be careful when climbing to the summit in summer. Please take precautions against snowy mountains until late July. Gassan Ski Resort, located at an altitude of around 1,600 meters, is closed in winter due to heavy snowfall, but opens in April when other ski resorts are closed. You can enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the fresh greenery until July.