出羽三山神社で生まれ変わりの荒行に挑む山伏修行

The Aki no Mineiri ritual, the largest training for mountain ascetics, has begun at Dewa Sanzan Shrine in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. Aki no Mineiri is a week-long training for mountain ascetics in which men retreat into the mountains and undergo numerous ascetic practices linked to rebirth. In 2025, a total of 116 people, ranging in age from their 20s to 70s, participated from all over Japan and even overseas. "I will not give up and will work hard to overcome this." "I participated because I wanted to learn spiritually." "I want to face myself honestly and work hard to discover a new me." "I want to move forward with a heart that accepts everything, no matter what." The group left the temple lodging, Myokoin, and first headed for the Zuishinmon Gate. After purifying themselves by floating a "doll" in the Haraigawa River, they arrived at the National Treasure, the Five-Story Pagoda. To the sound of a conch shell, they headed for the summit of Mt. Haguro. The group will remain overnight at a temple halfway up Mount Haguro until September 1st, and will continue to engage in arduous training, including "yamakake" (mountain running), a pilgrimage around the mountain. [Yamagata Television News] https://www.yts.co.jp/news/