Gassan Shrine

Overview

Gassan Shrine is a Shinto shrine on the summit of Mount Gassan (1,984 m) in Yamagata Prefecture. Listed as a myōjin taisha shrine in the Engishiki Jinmyōchō, it was the only kanpei taisha in the Tōhoku region under the modern system of ranked Shinto shrines. Long a center of mountain worship rooted in Shugendō, it still draws many practitioners and pilgrims today.

Highlights

• ●A shrine on the 1,984 m summit of Mount Gassan
• ●A shikinaisha listed as a myōjin taisha in the Engishiki Jinmyōchō
• ●A sacred site of mountain worship within the Dewa Sanzan shrines
• ●Enshrines Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, the Shinto moon deity

History

Established in 593, the shrine is a shikinaisha listed as a myōjin taisha in the Engishiki Jinmyōchō. The main kami enshrined is Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, the Shinto moon god. Under the modern system of ranked Shinto shrines it was the only kanpei taisha in the Tōhoku region. It has long been a center of mountain worship centered on Shugendō and is one of the Three Mountains of Dewa shrines. Its main festival is held annually on August 14.

Map

38.5487, 140.0270 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Ascend toward the 1,984 m summit of Mount Gassan
2. 2Learn the history of the shrine as a myōjin taisha shikinaisha
3. 3Pay respects at the hall enshrining Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto
4. 4Consider its place among the Three Mountains of Dewa

Did you know?

💡 Under the modern system of ranked Shinto shrines, Gassan Shrine was the only kanpei taisha in the Tōhoku region.

Nearby spots