There is Mt.Gassan 8th station at the end of the winding uphill. The Midagahara Marsh, ‘Heavenly paradise’, is spreading there. I feel like jumping into the Shonai plain overlooking the Sea of Japan. It takes 3 hours from here to the mountaintop shrine
Unfortunately, it is downhill to the five-storied pagoda, National treasure. But you can meet the 1000 year old grandfather ceder. In 2019, we had a special visit inside the pagoda. The octagonal core was tied to the surrounding skeleton with a kudzu vine. (>click photos)
five storied pagoda
haguroyama zuishinmon
old grandfather ceder
five storied pagoda
octagonal pillar inside
special visit inside
buddha on the roadside
Uphill surrounded by old cedars feels sacred air, not just forest bath. But it is hard to climb the 2446 stone steps at once. There is a traditional tea house in an exquisite place. And you can overlook the flat Shonai plain facing the Sea of Japan. If the weather is very nice, you can see Tobishima island over the Shonai plain. (>click photos)
stone steps start
stone steps start
stone step on the way
stone step upto tea house
chikaramochi and tokoroten
shonai plain
view tobishima island over plain
We finally reached the summit of Mt. Haguroyama. It took 50 minutes without a break from the foot. It is difficult to go to the other two mountains, so it is also secular that the three gods are enshrined together here.
It seems that the belfry was built as a thank-you for praying for the invasion of Mongolia during the Kamakura period. (>click photos)
shrine haguroyama
stone astep over tea house
shrine haguroyama
shrine arrival
shrine sumo wrestler
shrine sanzan composed
mirror pond
hydrangea
old belfry
god for healty foot
Only part of the stone steps are crafted with the playfulness of masonry worker. Find out, so you feel better.