Culture

Dewa Sanzan: Discover Japan’s Sacred Mountains of Rebirth

Dewa Sanzan: A Journey of Rebirth in Yamagata Prefecture Dewa Sanzan, located along the borders of Tsuruoka, Nishikawa, and Shonai in Yamagata Prefecture, refers to the three sacred mountains: Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. During the Edo period, visiting these three mountains became known as a “Journey of Rebirth.” This journey symbolizes a pilgrimage through the present, past, and future. Mount Haguro – the present and prayers for happiness in the current li

Places

Shunpei Nakayama

Dec 2, 20254 min read

A person holding an umbrella, standing in front of a traditional Japanese red wooden bridge.

Japanese Mythological Creatures That Haunted My Childhood Curiosity

Growing up, I recall my 5-year-old self being absolutely captivated by Studio Ghibli ’s Spirited Away —a film I kept returning to, equal parts fascinated and frightened by the strange creatures roaming the mystical world Chihiro had accidentally wandered into. What were these creatures, and where did they come from? Were they gods or monsters? My fascination with the film and the questions that followed led me down many rabbit holes. It turns out that yōkai , these Japanese m

Culture