Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Dewa Sanzan?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Dewa Sanzan?
Most people spend two to three days in Dewa Sanzan during their visit. The traditional religious site offers amazing highlights such as the hiking and the famous sights and museums.
Dewa Sanzan is a traditional and sacred religious site that includes three mountains which each have a shrine. The three mountains - Haguro-san, Gas-san, and Yudono-san - continue to be places of worship and visitors should be respectful of the setting. Visitors who want to experience something outside of mainstream Japan will appreciate the unique experience of visiting and staying at a traditional Shukubo Pilgrim Lodge.
Do you have one or two days to visit Dewa Sanzan? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Dewa Sanzan?
With one day, you'll probably feel like you don't get to fully experience everything in Dewa Sanzan. You really need more time to appreciate Haguro-san and the surrounding atmosphere. Many visitors prefer to have two to three days to fully take in the ambiance of the area. If you have one day or less, we still have some suggestions of how best to spend your time here.
How to spend a day in Dewa Sanzan
Known for it's hiking, Dewa Sanzan sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Experienced hikers can climb Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono in one day and do Mt. Haguro separately. For Mt. Gassan, you'll want to take the bus to the 8th station and climb from there.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Dewa Sanzan?
A weekend is generally not enough time to immerse yourself in Dewa Sanzan, as Haguro-san and the surrounding area usually needs more time for a visit. A shorter schedule may leave you with a rushed feeling to take everything in. In fact, many tourists opt for two to three days to fully immerse themselves here. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
Dewa Sanzan, Japan
How to spend 2 days in Dewa Sanzan
Having a weekend (two to three days) in Dewa Sanzan will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the religious site.
Perhaps the most famous place in Dewa Sanzan is Haguro-san, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Dewa Sanzan, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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