Kyukamura Shonai Haguro, a resort hotel located on the slopes of Mt. Haguro within Bandai-Asahi National Park (Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture), has ranked No. 1 in the "Experience" category of its internal guest satisfaction survey for three consecutive years (fiscal years 2023–2025), placing first among all 35 Kyukamura properties nationwide. The experience that consistently receives the highest acclaim is a hotel-guest-only tour to witness the morning Shinto ceremony "Asamikesai" at Dewa Sanzan Shrine.
With 2026 marking the Year of the Horse — the once-in-twelve-years auspicious "Goen-nen" for Mt. Haguro — this year is considered especially meaningful for a pilgrimage to this sacred site.
Mt. Haguro's Once-in-12-Years Auspicious Year
Dewa Sanzan refers collectively to three sacred mountains in Yamagata Prefecture: Mt. Haguro (414 m), Mt. Gassan (1,984 m), and Mt. Yudono (1,504 m), each with its own shrine. During the Edo period, a pilgrimage to Dewa Sanzan — known as "the eastern pilgrimage" — was celebrated alongside the famous Ise shrine pilgrimage in the west as one of the most revered spiritual journeys in Japan.
Each of the three mountains has its own designated "Goen-nen" (an auspicious year tied to the zodiac animal associated with the deity), during which pilgrimage is believed to bring especially great divine blessings. For Mt. Haguro, the Goen-nen falls in the Year of the Horse, making 2026 a particularly favorable year to visit.
The Morning Ceremony: Asamikesai at Sanjin Gosaiden
The "Asamikesai" is a morning Shinto ceremony held at Sanjin Gosaiden (Three Shrines Combined Hall) at the summit of Mt. Haguro. "Mike" (御饌) refers to food offerings presented to the deities, and the ceremony centers on presenting these at dawn each day. Visitors can observe the priests' norito (Shinto prayer) recitations and sacred rites up close — a rare and deeply moving experience. The crisp morning air, the stillness of the shrine grounds, and the hall's solemn grandeur create an atmosphere far removed from the rhythms of everyday life.
Exclusive Morning Ceremony Tour for Hotel Guests
Kyukamura Shonai Haguro offers a range of experience programs connecting guests with the local history and nature, including walking tours along Mt. Haguro's stone-step approach. Among these, the Asamikesai tour — which takes hotel guests to attend the morning ceremony at Sanjin Gosaiden — consistently receives the highest praise from participants.
The hotel provides a shuttle bus to and from Mt. Haguro, making the early-morning journey straightforward even for first-time visitors. Participants also receive an omamori (protective charm) at the end of the tour.
Asamikesai Tour Details
| Period | Year-round (Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) |
| Exceptions | No tours on the 1st or 15th of each month, or during special ceremonies. Guests must stay the night before to join the following morning's tour. |
| Time | Departs 6:40 AM from Kyukamura / Returns 8:00 AM |
| Fee | ¥1,000 (tax included; omamori charm included) |
| Reservation | Required (deadline: 5:30 PM the previous day; book at the front desk) |
| Capacity | 22 people |
About Kyukamura Shonai Haguro
The hotel is about a five-minute drive from the Michelin three-star cedar-lined stone-step approach and the Dewa Sanzan Shrine at the summit of Mt. Haguro. It serves as a convenient base for exploring the broader Shonai region, including the Mogami River, the historic city of Sakata, the cultural and culinary destination of Tsuruoka, and an aquarium acclaimed for its jellyfish exhibits.
The large communal bath is fed by the hotel's own naturally tapped spring, "Hatsuki no Yu," which is rich in metasilicic acid — a naturally occurring moisturizing mineral well known for its skin-softening properties.
- Address: 8 Haguroyama, Toge, Haguro-machi, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture 997-0211
- Official Website: https://www.qkamura.or.jp/haguro/
