Winter Visit to the Five-Story Pagoda on Mount Haguro: Experience Japanese Serenity Amidst Snow

▲ Visiting the five-story pagoda on Mount Haguro in Yamagata during winter offers an even deeper sense of Japanese serenity. (Photo / Reporter Lin Yanchen)

Reported by Reporter Lin Yanchen / Field Interview in Yamagata

The five-story pagoda is a distinctive architectural structure preserved throughout Japan. The one located on Mount Haguro in Yamagata is the oldest surviving five-story pagoda in the Tohoku region. Visiting in winter allows you to immerse yourself even more deeply in the tranquil and elegant atmosphere of traditional Japan.

The architectural style of the five-story pagoda originated from the stupas of India. Later, as Buddhism spread to Japan via China, this form of architecture was also introduced. It is said that the five-story pagoda on Mount Haguro was built during the Heian period (10th century) by Taira no Masakado, but the current structure was reconstructed in 1372. In 1608, the renowned Sengoku-era warrior Mogami Yoshiaki ordered renovations. The pagoda stands 29.2 meters tall and was designated as an important national treasure by the government in 1966.

After passing through the torii gate of the Kamihaguro Shrine Gate, the path leading to the five-story pagoda descends steadily, flanked by towering cedar trees. In summer, they provide shade from the heat, but after winter snowfall, a delicate layer of white blankets the treetops, adding a cool and mysterious beauty to the quiet mountain path.

At the bottom of the staircase, a flat trail continues, lined with numerous small shrines along the way—such as the Nezurikake Shrine, associated with Japan’s creation myth. Soon after, a small stream is crossed via a tiny red bridge, while a nearby waterfall gently flows, enhancing the serene ambiance.

▲ The path to the five-story pagoda is dotted with many such small shrines. (Photo / Reporter Lin Yanchen)

▲ The small red bridge that spans the stream along the way. (Photo / Reporter Lin Yanchen)

Sheltered by towering trees on both sides, the five-story pagoda lies hidden within. Along the path leading to it, there is also a small statue of Jizo Bosatsu, evoking scenes from the Japanese fairy tale “Jizo with a Straw Raincoat.”

▲ A small statue of Jizo Bosatsu is enshrined along the path. (Photo / Reporter Lin Yanchen)

For Japanese visitors, the five-story pagoda on Mount Haguro is typically a summer destination. However, visiting in winter—when there are fewer tourists—offers a chance to enjoy the tranquil beauty of walking along snow-covered paths.

Transportation: Get off at JR “Tsuruoka” Station, then take a bus bound for Gassan Hachigome, Mount Haguro Summit, or the Kamihaguro Gate. The ride takes about 40 minutes, and get off at the Kamihaguro Gate.

Official Website:http://hagurokanko.jp/en/