Kyukamura Shonai-Haguro Ranked No.1 Nationwide in Guest Experience for 3 Consecutive Years; Offers Exclusive Morning Ritual Tours at Dewa Sanzan Shrine

Located midway up Mt. Haguro in Bandai-Asahi National Park, the resort hotel 'Kyukamura Shonai-Haguro' (Tsuruoka, Yamagata; Manager: Osamu Yoshino) has achieved the No. 1 ranking in the 'Experience' category of its internal guest surveys for three consecutive years (FY2023–2025) among 35 facilities nationwide. The most highly rated program is the guest-exclusive experience to observe 'Asamikesai,' the morning ritual at Dewa Sanzan Shrine.

2026 marks the 'Year of Connection' (Goen-nen) for Mt. Haguro, which occurs once every 12 years in the Year of the Horse. This is considered an auspicious time for pilgrimage to the Dewa Sanzan—comprising Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan, and Mt. Yudono—which have been revered since the Edo period as sacred sites one should visit at least once in a lifetime.

'Asamikesai' is a sacred morning ritual held at the Sanjin Gosaiden at the summit of Mt. Haguro, where meals are offered to the deities. The exclusive tour allows guests to witness the ritual and the chanting of prayers by priests up close. The tour includes round-trip shuttle service and a commemorative amulet.

Furthermore, the hotel is situated just 5 minutes by car from the Michelin 3-star rated cedar-lined stone staircase path. Guests can also enjoy the 'Hatsuki no Yu' hot spring, which is rich in metasilicic acid, a natural moisturizing ingredient known for its skin-beautifying effects.

[Tour Details] - Period: Year-round (Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri) *Excluding certain dates - Time: Departs 6:40 / Returns 8:00 - Fee: 1,000 JPY (tax incl., includes amulet) - Capacity: 22 persons (Reservations required)