Tohoku– category –

In the garden, there are a haiku monument of Basho Matsuo that is said to be the largest in the Tohoku district and Seikanzeon Bosatsu, an image of Buddha that is also considered to be a figure of the god of Mount Haguro at the period when Buddhism and Shintoism were mixed.

Despite its nice, inn-like appearance, it has a large shrine inside. Here they perform ritual prayers called Gomakito from 5:30 in the morning. The food they serve is traditional shojin (vegetarian) cuisine rich in local produce. In Shinto, "meals" are called "naorai," which means "get-together between men and gods."

Motsuji’s shukubo is divided into Japanese style temple lodging and a youth hostel. The youth hostel rooms are shared rooms with a bunk bed. The temple lodging rooms are Japanese style six tatami mat rooms with tables, tea cups, tea pots, electric fans, futon mattresses and duvets and yukata robes.

This shukubo is located within walking distance from the entrance of the approach to Mount Haguro. The building looks like a private inn but it is strictly a shrine building. There was a tengu (a legendary long-nosed creature) face mask on a wall, which made me feel the world of Shugendo.

This shukubo is located alongside the approach near the mountain top of Mount Haguro. It was originally called Kezouin, but was rebuilt in 1697. I was really happy to be able to stay at Saikan, which is located just beside the promenade. As old as it was, the building was well maintained with a beautiful garden.

This lodging is a shukubo on Mount Yudono, which is located in the deepest part of Dewasanzan (Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan and Mount Yudono) and considered to be a sacred place. Because Yudonosan Shrine does not have a main hall, the sanrosho office seems to serve as the prayer hall and part of the shrine office.