YAMABUSHIDO
Mountains shape us.
We help them shape you.
YAMABUSHI TRAINING
Yamabushido training is a transformational self-development practice on the Dewa Sanzan mountains of Japan. It’s a practice passed down through generations little known in the West until now.
The power of the tradition is in its power and its practicality. Those who participate in Yamabushi training are quickly able to reset their minds, bodies, and their lives. And to rejoin the world purified, and ready for action.
OUR TRAININGS
Includes practice in complete silence and in full yamabushi robes under Dewa Sanzan yamabushi masters.
TRAIN AS YAMABUSHI
Five-day training led by yamabushi sendatsu.
Seven-day training led by Master Hoshino.
Four-day Gassan-Yudono traverse led by Master Hoshino.
Walk the mountains alongside Dewa Sanzan yamabushi and take part in practices from their training.
TRAIN WITH YAMABUSHI
Three-day group training led by yamabushi and Zen masters.
Seven-day private training led by yamabushi and Zen masters.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Yamabushi training is a form of Japanese mountain ascetic practice rooted in the ancient Japanese belief of Shugendō. Through hiking, meditation, waterfall meditation, rituals, silence, and immersion in nature, participants experience deep personal reflection, challenge, and transformation.
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A Yamabushi is a practitioner of Shugendo — someone who trains in the mountains to cultivate clarity, humility, and spiritual strength. Yamabushi are known for their white robes, conch shell (horagai), ritual tools, and mountain-based discipline. Modern Yamabushi include practitioners from many backgrounds, not just monks.
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Shugendo is a traditional Japanese spiritual practice that blends Shinto, Buddhism, Taoism, and ancient nature worship. Practitioners known as Yamabushi seek enlightenment and lessons from nature through training in nature, especially in the mountains. Shugendo is experiential and practice-based, with rituals, hiking, meditation, and purification forming its core.
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All Yamabushido programs are held on and around the sacred Dewa Sanzan mountains in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan — Haguro-san, Gassan, and Yudono-san — the historic heart of Haguro Shugendō practice.
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Yamabushi training is rooted in the spiritual tradition of Shugendo, but our programs focus on experiential practice rather than belief. People of all faiths, or none, are welcome to participate. Respect for the training and its customs is expected.
“I learned by doing, by feeling, by listening with my being, rather than my ears. I can only say that the training meant everything to me. That it fundamentally changed me. That I want to do it again.” -JH.
BOOK A VIDEO CALL
Send us an inquiry using this form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
What happens after you contact us?
Once you send your message, we will organize a video call. Our English-speaking team have a short video call with all potential participants on our programs. This is to answer your questions, understand your intentions, and help you choose the training that fits you best.
This is a friendly conversation and it helps us make sure your Yamabushi experience is safe, suitable, and truly meaningful.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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