PLAN:3DAYS

PRICE FROM 550,000 JPY

per person/ a group of 2 people

OVERVIEW

Highlight 

-Climbing Mt. Inamuragatake with a sendachi (a well-experienced Shugendo practitioner)

-Formal prayer with a priest at the Tenkawa Daibenzaiten-sha Shrine

-Suigyo water purification ceremony at Ryusen-ji Temple

-Gomagyo fire ritual ceremony at Ryusen-ji Temple

-English speaking guide

 

Overview

Mt. Inamuragatake is called the “Shugendo mountain for women,” which stands in contrast to Mt. Omine, where no women are admitted for traditional religious reasons. The mountain itself is certified as an official Shugendo training dojo for women by Ryusen-ji Temple and all genders are permitted to climb it. Groups of Shugendo practitioners with sendachi (experienced Shugendo guides) can often be seen on the mountain for training.

This tour is almost the same as our No.1 Mt. Omine Shugendo Tour, except participants climb Mt. Inamuragatake instead of Mt. Omine. This experience gives you the chance to immerse yourself into a genuine Shugendo landscape in the mountains where the faith first emerged over 1,300 years ago. Though it’s a three day “tour,” what we are arranging for you here is not sightseeing. You will be visiting a sacred area for Shugendo practitioners and have genuine Shugendo experiences with a real sendachi guide. This is not just a hike up a sacred Shugendo mountain, but a rare chance to experience first-hand the rituals and ascetic training (known as “shugyo”) which have been an integral part of Shugendo practices for centuries. Discover the essence of Japanese faith in the pristine nature of Nara’s southern mountains.

  1. Tenkawa Daibenzaiten-sha Shrine

    DAY1

    Tenkawa Daibenzaiten-sha Shrine

    We will pick you up at Yamato Yagi station in Kashihara City, Nara Pref. and take you via chartered car to Tenkawa Village. Or if you wish, the pick-up point can be changed via your request with an additional fee. Upon arrival in Tenkawa, check into your ryokan, followed by a visit to the Tenkawa Daibenzaiten-sha Shrine. This is considered to be the foremost of Japan’s three great shrines honoring the deity Benzaiten, one of the seven gods of good fortune. This shrine has been a key spot for Shugendo practices since ancient times, with high ranking priests and Shugendo practitioners visiting together for purposes of worship. A priest of the shrine will make a prayer for your safe passage on Mt. Inamuragatake.
    After the visit to the shrine, go back to the ryokan and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. We recommend taking some time to walk along the main street of Dorogawa after dark to see the Edo-period atmosphere created by the glowing lanterns of the ryokans.

    Enjoy a dinner featuring local ingredients at your ryokan, take a dip into the onsen, and have a good rest to prepare for the next day!
  2. Shugendo Training on Mt. Inamuragatake

    DAY2

    Shugendo Training on Mt. Inamuragatake

    Rise early in the morning and enjoy the fresh mountain air. Have a hearty breakfast at your ryokan and dress in provided white clothing for entering the sacred mountains.

    Start the morning off with a visit to Ryusen-ji Temple. This temple was established by En no Gyoja, the figure credited with establishing Shugendo in this area in the middle of the 7th century. Before entering Mt. Inamuragatake, you will participate in an ancient ritual known as “suigyo” that involves immersing yourself in the sacred spring water of the temple while a priest recites sutras to purify the body and pray for safety on the journey ahead. Mt. Inamuragatake, which stands at 1,726 meters in elevation, takes about 7 hours to hike round-trip.
    On the way to its summit, you can enjoy the abundant native flowers and other plants, especially the beautiful alpine roses in April and May. Experience navigating your way up a rocky crag surrounded by sheer cliffs using pre-set ladders and chains to reach Dainichidake Peak (1,689m), which is an important Shugendo training spot. A seated Dainichi Nyorai Buddha statue is enshrined on the top of the peak, drawing many believers to the difficult to reach location for prayer. After another 30 minute walk from the Dainichidake Peak, you will reach the top of Mt. Inamuragatake, where you can enjoy a majestic 360-degree view of the Omine Mountain Range.

    After walking down from Mt. Inamuragatake, visit Ryusenji Temple again in the evening to participate in a special fire ritual known as “goma.” Concluding your day with the last of the Shugendo practices, you will be filled with a unique sense of accomplishment and fulfillment that few others have had the chance to experience.
  3. DAY3

    After breakfast at your ryokan, enjoy the day at your leisure, further exploring the beautiful mountain town of Dorogowa, shopping for souvenirs, or perhaps just kicking back and relaxing at a local restaurant or cafe. Whatever you choose to do, the tour will wrap up when we return you to Yamato-Yagi station. Or if you wish, the drop-off point can be changed by request with an additional fee.

JOURNEY

PRICE DETAILS

    PRICE

    290,000 JPY~/ per person (a group of 6 people)
    330,000 JPY~/ per person (a group of 5 people)
    350,000 JPY~/ per person (a group of 4 people)
    440,000 JPY~/ per person (a group of 3 people)
    550,000 JPY~/ per person (a group of 2 people)

    PRICE INCLUDES

    ●transportation from/to Tenkawa village
    ●An English speaking guide
    ●Accommodation for 2 nights with  dinners and breakfasts
    ●1 lunch on the second day
    ●The program fees
    -Formal prayer with a priest at  Tenkawa Daibenzaitensha Shrine
    -Suigyo, water purification   
    ceremony at Ryusenji Temple
    -Gomagyo, fire ritual ceremony
    at Ryusenji Temple
    -Sendachi escort fee
    -white clothes for Shugendo
    training

    CAR

    Chartered car with a driver

    1-2 travelers: Sedan
    3-6 travelers: Jumbo taxi

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