I Stayed at Japan's Hidden Mountain Temple ⛩️ Winter Road Trip

@Abroad in Japan

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Embark on a winter road trip to Japan's Tohoku region, starting with a critically acclaimed Italian-Japanese fusion restaurant before a spiritual mountain retreat and Yamabushi training on Mt. Haguro.

1 plan · 3 places · 1 experience

Plan · 2 places · Yamagata, Japan

Tohoku Winter Retreat: Fine Dining & Mountain Spirituality

“Before things get strict with the Yamabushi training, indulge in a gluttonous meal at Ai. Ché-cciano, then head to Mt. Haguro for a spiritual escape and mountain training. This journey offers a perfect blend of culinary excellence and profound introspection.”

1
Ai. Ché-cciano
Italian restaurant · Tsuruoka
4.2 (506)Closed · opens 6 PM
Al Ché-cciano, 稲荷-43 Ogawara, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0806, Japan
- Flounder with full moon salt · Varies — Flounder fish from the Sea of Japan, served with thick, large grains of salt harvested on the night of a full moon when the water current changes, believed to be the best time to get the salt. The salt is meant to be distinctly felt when eaten.
- Yamaguchi pork · Varies — Local pork 'grown' in the area, matured to taste almost like dried Serrano ham. It's charcoal-grilled, resulting in a crispy surface and very juicy inside. Chris cherishes the memory of this dish.
- Winter Cod · Varies — Cod caught in the winter season, which means it has a lot of fat and a distinct flavor that changes throughout the seasons.
Experience · 1 place
Yamabushi Mountain Training
dayfew-hours
Experience the Yamabushido mountain aesthetic, a practice by monks for over 1,500 years, now open to anyone seeking detoxification. While the full five-day practice is in summer, a winter version involves several hours of strict training. You'll wear a white costume, 'Shiro Shozoku,' symbolizing metaphorical death and rebirth. The training involves silent mountain trekking meditation, where you're encouraged not to talk to fully appreciate the journey and be in the moment. Despite the cold and potential bears, the silence allows you to stop caring about daily stresses and truly appreciate the towering cedar trees, gushing water, and waterfalls, leading to a sense of rejuvenation.
- Silent mountain trekking — The core of the Yamabushi training, involving silent trekking through the forest. It's initially odd and cold, especially if you forget thick socks, but as you go deeper, past ancient cedar trees and gushing water, you learn to appreciate the surroundings and find yourself in the present moment.
- Buddhist vegetarian cuisine (Shōjin Ryōri) · Varies — A meal consisting of rice, sesame, tofu, bamboo, and deep-fried tofu. Nearly all ingredients are sourced from Mt. Haguro itself, with some preserved from the winter season. This is the traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine (Shōjin Ryōri) served during Yamabushi training.
2
Mt. Haguro
Mountain peak · Tsuruoka
4.6 (502)
Creator's voice
A sacred, secluded peak in Yamagata, holding the record for having the thickest thatched roof in Japan (2 meters thick) due to the ridiculous amount of snow it receives. It represents rebirth in Yamabushido philosophy.
Mt. Haguro, Haguroyama Haguromachi Touge, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0211, Japan

Also in this video

3
Saikan Temple Lodge
Indoor lodging · Tsuruoka
4.2 (177)
Saikan, Haguroyama-33 Haguromachi Touge, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0211, Japan
- Cozy room with kerosene heater — A cozy room in the temple lodge, essential for winter stays. It's kept warm at 28 degrees Celsius by a kerosene heater, contrasting sharply with the freezing outdoor temperatures. The room includes a futon with three blankets.
- Tea Room — A separate room within the lodge, ideal for sitting, enjoying tea, watching television, and staying warm with a second kerosene heater. The Shoji sliding doors, while beautiful, are noted for being poor insulators.

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