PILGRIMAGE
Katsuragi Shugendo Heritage Tour
―
Trace the sacred dragon vein,
and sense the spirit of prayer with every step.
The Living Culture of Shugendo in Ryushuku
Heading due north from the Gate, tracing the dragon vein.
Heading due north
tracing the dragon vein.
The Kawahara district, home to MON, is steeped in history connected to Shugendo mountain asceticism and bears the ancestral name “Ryushuku” (Dragon’s Abode).
Here enshrines the local guardian shrine, Kamo Shrine, and lore holds that Master Shiichi, known as the revitalizer of Shugendo, was born in this very soil.
Long before the arrival of Buddhism, people sensed the divine presence dwelling within majestic mountains, running waters, ancient boulders, and trees, offering heartfelt prayers to local deities.
Shugendo is a spiritual path rooted in this profound reverence for nature, interwoven with Buddhist teachings. Practicing ascetics regard the mountains themselves as sacred sanctuaries for inner discipline and transformation.
The Katsuragi mountain range is celebrated as the sacred ground where En no Gyoja, the legendary founder of Shugendo, first began his ascetic practice.
Across these peaks lie buried sutra mounds dedicated to the 28 chapters of the Lotus Sutra, collectively revered as the “Katsuragi 28 Shuku.”
Recommended For
Connecting with timeless spiritual wisdom and traditional prayer
Immersing in expansive mountain panoramas and living nature
Stepping away from overthinking to harmonize mind and body
Visiting sacred landscapes in person to gain fresh perspectives
Tour Flow
Departing from MON
On the morning following your stay, depart from MON by car.
Travel from the living village up toward sacred mountaintop sanctuaries.
Village Prayers
Visit Kamo Shrine in the Kawahara district.
Listen to the ancient legends of Ryushuku and the community’s ancestral faith.
Mountaintop Sacred Sites
Visit Ryuo Shrine and the 9th Sutra Mound on Mt. Izumi-Katsuragi.
Walk mindfully, feeling the forest floor and savoring the pristine mountain air and vistas.
Return to MON
Carrying the resonated scenery and insights back with you.
Conclude the approximately 2-hour tour and return comfortably to MON.
Learning Through Physical Experience
Sense, walk, and realize.
There are times when continuous deliberation alone does not bring clarity.
In such moments, leaving familiar environments to directly see, feel, and walk can be transformative. Moving the physical body frequently opens doors to insights that thinking alone cannot reach.
Tracing the sutra mounds of Katsuragi Shugendo on foot represents more than intellectual understanding.
It is an embodied spiritual practice of hiking mountains, praying, and absorbing teachings through your entire physical being.
From conceptual understanding to direct action.
May this experience become an anchor to verify your intuitive senses and gently practice them in daily life.
Duration: Approx. 2 hours
Capacity: 1–2 guests per party
Fee: ¥10,000 per party
Transport: Guided tour by MON vehicle
Schedule: Typically morning after check-in
Booking Deadline: 3 days prior to stay
*While transportation between sites is primarily by car, walking is required around sacred destinations. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
*Visit order and destinations may be adjusted depending on weather, road conditions, or facility operating hours.
RESERVATION
Experience Exclusive Gatehouse Living.