REVIEWS

“I was thinking of a way to convey the enormity of the experience that you were able to pass on to our group. Everyone wants to achieve happiness in life, but most of us seek it in material wealth, professional success, recognition for our work and power over others. But in truth, we seek happiness of the soul and to do so, we must work for our own enlightenment. I believe that enlightenment begins with opening the heart. And openness is what you will find in this training. From the moment you feel your soul's need to change, when you decided to embark on this journey, you have already started taking the steps towards your internal change. The Masters Shugyo Program will exercise the opening of your heart in many ways as it takes us to the sacred mountains of Dewa Sanzan. There you will feel the grandeur of nature, its generosity, its fierceness and because of this, the presence of the kami. Master Hoshino will teach you the concept that you will probably use for the rest of your life - UKETAMO and that alone is worth the entire program. On the technical side, the yamabushido team offers all logistical support (accommodation, transport, meals, security measures, etc.) with great professionalism so that you can focus exclusively on your training. Another highlight is the wonderful people you will meet in your training. They are people who are also looking for the same thing as you and therefore, they are your brothers on the journey.

Master Hoshino, Master Hayasaka, Tim, Rick, Yusuke and Tak : I deeply thank you for the fantastic experience you provided. And for those seeking spiritual rebirth, this is the path you need to follow.”

-A

“Dear team Yamabushi I will be eternally grateful and changed from my experience in Japan. This training not only has changed my life and helped me deal much better with the difficulties of life but it has taught me an invaluable lesson and that is the power of my mind and my physical strength against all odds. This experience is probably the best self love gift I have ever given myself. The Yamabushi team under the guidance of master Hoshino, whose words alone are enough to travel the globe to hear, have been exceptional in guiding us and pushing us to achieve what we did. I found myself 3 months after my trip a much more grounded, centered person. My fear of the unknown has completely vanished and my heart has expanded. To add to this experience the breathtaking views of our hikes, the beauty of the Japanese culture, and the quietness of being with yourself just add another layer to this whole experience. I am a reiki healer and my clients always ask me how did your energy become so strong and I always give a big thanks to my Yamabushi experience. I still carry that wisdom in my heart, my soul and mind every morning when I wake up. Sometimes in the morning I chant some of the prayers we were taught. I not only recommend doing it, I beg you to do it, live it, experience it, and keep it with you. I will definitely be coming back one day. The only word I still wake up to every day is Uketamo.”

-K

“In order to truly understand the yamabushi, you have to live and train among them in these beautiful and powerful Dewa Sanzan mountains. I’m very grateful to the team – Rick, Tim, Yusuke, Tak, Master Hoshino and Master Hayasaka – for bringing me and my companions on our journey this September. The week-long Master’s Shugyo is truly a metaphor for birth, death and rebirth. Every aspect, every activity, every experience, every big and subtle moment, seems meticulously designed to serve as meditation and a reflection on your life and how you fit in the larger world. This is a rigorous program and not a mere tour group; you’ll truly be living like a monk for a week and testing your patience, endurance, attachments, and openness to experience. That’s what “Uketamo!” is all about to me – a sense of equanimity. I participated in the program for my 40th birthday to mark this milestone at the halfway point of life, and one of the things that sticks with me is that I’ve come a truly long way – longer than I really appreciate sometimes – and yet I still have a long way to go with my practice and my own sense of equanimity with the world. These lessons and realizations will trickle in for a long time to come.”

-M

“Due to the pandemic, I waited three years to participate in Master Hoshino’s shugyo training. Shugyo with the Yamabushi was the most transformative experience of my life: spiritually, physically, and mentally.

I am Sansei, a third-generation Japanese American. My relationship with Japan has always been strong because my grandparents and ancestors were born in Japan on the island of Shikoku. The shugyo only cemented this bond even further. From the very moment I left Dewa Sanzan, I knew I had to go back. I want to climb the 2,446 steps of Mt. Haguro, and maybe tackle Gassan again. I want to go back and experience the quiet beauty of these sacred mountains again. I want to immerse myself in nature. I believe the spirituality of this region is uniquely different from anywhere else in the world.

I have such great respect for these amazing ascetic monks. I appreciated their patience, their compassion, and most of all their valuable teachings.  

I wholeheartedly recommend the shugyo training for all those who are interested in experiencing the power of nature and the Yamabushi way of life.”

-K

“As an American feeling overwhelmed with my daily work flow and lack of life balance, I felt the need to seek out some kind of stress management retreat or something of the sort that would help me to calm down, better manage my emotions, and learn constructive practices for being a better person. That said, I felt directionless when searching for a retreat best suited to my situation.

To research options, I compiled a list of over 20 retreats from across the United States and around the globe but, after a video call with Tak and Rick, I felt most confident to pursue Yamabushi training in Yamagata and so very glad that I did.

Things I would highlight are 1. The team’s ability to invite only people seeking a unique healing and/or cultural experience (instead of a tourism experience), 2. The authenticity and sincerity of the experiences and the staff providing them, and 3. The bonding experience with others in our training group. Of course, the serene landscape of Japan and so many other experiences resonate strongly but I don’t want to spoil anything.

Last, it’s important to note that while prayer, chanting, and meditation are a key and consistent component of the program there is no obligation or pressure to subscribe to Shugendo, Buddhism, or Shinto as a religion. In fact, I identify as a Christian and felt little to no internal conflict or pressure from a religious perspective.

For those seeking a tourist experience, please leave this program preserved for those in need of something more.

For those seeking a unique healing or cultural experience, don’t hesitate. Go, and let go.

I could not recommend more highly this program and the wonderful team of folks that are responsible for standing it up. My one note of importance, I recommend attending the full 8 day program as opposed to only the 3 day Shugyo period. The additional days on either side of the Shugyo period are critical context for absorbing all the available benefits, knowledge, and practices this experience offers.”

-B

Truly amazing experience of the Yamabushi way. In the five days we experienced and learned the basics of Yamabushi life in the three sacred Dewa mountains depicting birth, death and resurrection. Along our Yamabushi training we also saw a glimpse Shonai region life, including local food, people and exhibitions. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to get in touch with nature, mountains and the spiritual route of life. Truly a great retreat to enhance your mindfulness.

-S

I have long been drawn to Buddhist and Taoist principles, but never really engaged those principles systematically in my life.  I also have a strong love of being outdoors, especially in the mountains, and have believed that there is something intrinsically spiritual in being attentive to nature – perhaps presaging Shinto leanings.  On a walking trip in Japan last year, I was introduced to Shugendo for the first time and was excited to learn that there is an ancient practice that brings all of this together and might “fill a hole” I had felt in my spiritual life for a long time.  Wanting to learn more, but being unsure of my preparedness for Shugyo, I opted for the “Basic Shugyo” program.  Don’t be fooled by the word “basic”… it is a demanding program.  That said, the masters are gentle but firm, and supportive of all participants seeking a first-time Yamabushi experience.  I have come away from the program with a renewed calm and life perspective, and practices that nourish my spirit. I am not sure when, but I do expect to return to the Dewa Sanzan, and also hope to participate in the “Masters” program.

-N

My recent Yamabushido training trip to Japan was an absolutely extraordinary and energizing experience that surpassed all my expectations. To be honest I went in blind and with absolutely no wish to know about the details, so, for me everything was a new experience. Every aspect of this journey was meticulously crafted to offer profound spiritual enrichment and invigorating physical challenge.

Arriving in Tsuruoka was like stepping into a serene sanctuary. The city’s calm and welcoming atmosphere set the stage for what was to be a deeply transformative adventure. The natural beauty and cultural richness of Tsuruoka immediately immersed me in the spirit of the journey.

Visiting Zenpoji Temple was a profoundly moving experience. The temple, with its serene and sacred ambiance, provided the perfect environment for beginning my practice. Engaging in meditation and chanting prayers with the respectable Priests and Monks dressed immaculately, in such a historically rich and spiritually charged setting, was incredibly uplifting. The tranquility of the temple allowed me to connect deeply with my inner self and set a powerful tone for the rest of the trip.

We learnt to say Uketamo, the philosophy to live-by, through the Dewa Sanzans almost immediately. We just said one word in response to any instructions, and that was Uketamo. I still hold this precious word close to my heart. The feeling of acceptance is immense just when I utter it.

-P

“Thank you so much for three incredibly beautiful, intense and spiritual days. We came to the three sacred mountains without any great expectations and wanted to approach the training with an open mind and without any judgement. This allowed us to experience three unforgettable days with the Yamabushi team. We learned an enormous amount and felt every minute that we were in the right place. We were able to learn and absorb so much from you, often without words.

Forever we will keep a big part of our heart in Dewa Sanzan and this training was a big, right and important step forward in our life. Thank you, thank you for your kindness, your sincere care and your help.

We really recommend this course to all people who understand mindfulness as more than just a buzzword, as well as to those who like to go a step further and appreciate and love nature.”

R & L