Why You NEED to Hike The 100 Famous Mountains Of Yamagata

Japan’s hidden treasure trove of outdoor adventure

The view from Arakura-yama towards the port village of Yura in Tsuruoka City. Photo by author.

A yamabushi’s role is simple: Lead others into nature. Part of that is showing you the beauty of nature in Japan, starting with my own backyard, Yamagata Prefecture.

Made of Mountains: Yamagata Prefecture

The stone stairway of Haguro-san during autumn. Photo by author.

Locals in Yamagata are a different breed.

Providing not only the most beautiful backdrop known to man, but also a source of sustenance for millennia, mountains have a say in almost every aspect of the lives of the people of Yamagata.

So much so, the word Yamagata literally means ‘mountain shape’. Or, as we like to say, ‘made of mountains’.

Why 100 Mountains?

The Torii (shrine gates) of Yudono-san Jinja in Tsuruoka City. Photo by author.

In 1964, mountaineer and author Fukada Kyuya published Hyakumeizan, One Hundred Mountains of Japan.

This book has since become a cult classic.

It was so popular, in fact, even the current Emperor Naruhito is a major fan.

Not to be outdone, in 2016 Yamagata Prefecture set about creating their own list of 100 famous mountains. In the process, they whittled down some 2,774 peaks into a top 100.

I’m climbing them all.

And I’d love you to join me!

(And yes, Yamagata does have that many mountains!).

Criteria for choosing the mountains

The emerald green crater lake of Zao-san. Photo by author.

Fukada chose the original 100 famous mountains of Japan based on three criteria:

1. Grace
2. History
3. Individuality