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Yamagata Prefecture Selected as One of the 25 Best Travel Destinations in the World for 2026!

Thank you very much for your continued patronage of KYUKAMURA SHONAI-HAGURO.

On October 21, 2025, the U.S. travel-media powerhouse National Geographic announced its list of “Best of the World 2026 (25 destinations around the world you should visit in 2026)”, and Yamagata Prefecture was the only region in Japan chosen.

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Why Yamagata was Selected
        •        Although only about 300 km from the city, it offers a serene environment that feels like another world.
        •        At the sacred mountains of the Dewa Sanzan, visitors can experience yamabushi ascetic practices and waterfall purification (takigyo).
        •        The combination of nature and culture — unique temples and shrines, quiet surroundings, and traditional festivals held year-round — makes the area highly appealing.

About KYUKAMURA SHONAI-HAGURO

Located in the Shonai area of Yamagata Prefecture near Mt. Haguro, KYUKAMURA SHONAI-HAGURO is about a 30-minute drive from Tsuruoka City.

Away from urban centers, it is surrounded by abundant forests, and depending on the weather, the main peak of Mt. Gassan can even be seen.

Since ancient times, the Dewa Sanzan (Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan, Mt. Yudono) have been revered in a faith comparable to Ise Shrine in Mie Prefecture. Pilgrimage to the Dewa Sanzan is said to be a “rebirth journey.”

During the summer, when mountaineering is possible, travelers from around the world visit Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan, and Mt. Yudono.

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Programs to Enjoy the Dewa Sanzan
At our facility, we do not conduct the full yamabushi ascetic practices, but we offer programs to help you experience the Dewa Sanzan:
        •        Early Morning Worship “Asamikesai”
Participate in a ritual held early in the morning at the shrine where the gods of Dewa Sanzan are enshrined. (Held on specific days; please check our website for details.)
        •        Mt. Haguro “Stone-Steps Walking”
Climb the 2,446 stone steps up Mt. Haguro — considered the start of the “rebirth journey.” On the way, you can also see the National Treasure Five-Story Pagoda.
        •        “Around the Dewa Sanzan” Tour
A one-day guided tour visiting all three Dewa Sanzan mountains. Held multiple times between July and October; details will be released on our website in spring.

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Notes
        1.        National Geographic is a monthly magazine published by the National Geographic Society in the U.S., focusing on science, geography, history, and culture. It is widely known worldwide, with over 8.5 million subscribers in more than 180 countries.
        2.        The “Best of the World” list in National Geographic is one of its popular features. Destinations are selected by travel specialists and an international editorial team, featuring both new and surprising spots as well as destinations with fresh appeal.