Spring in Rural Japan Photo Essay

And a recommendation!

May 30, 2025

I don’t have a full-length article for you today, but I do have a recommended article I’m certain you will enjoy, and a photo essay from spring for you.

First up: Read this and thank me later.

Japan Happiness

Searching for a Lost Kami

When you look at mountains, the first thing that probably strikes you is their beauty. Perhaps you think, what a great place to go climbing, or have a picnic, or simply take a walk through the forest. I suspect most people think this way, and so do I. But there is another way of looking at the mountains in Japan, an older way. One that isn’t rooted in l…

7 months ago · 24 likes · 6 comments · Hiroko Yoda

While you’re at it, go pre-order the upcoming book (I already have)!

Photo Essay: Autumn is by far the best season for hiking in Japan.

But spring is a close second.

Summer is great if you can escape the heat by getting to the higher mountains. Winter is of course its own type of fun.

In autumn you have the changing leaves to enjoy, as well as the milder weather.

Spring has the mild weather too. However, with spring, not all of the mountains are open due to lingering snow. That’s the main downside of hiking in Spring, you may have to wait a bit to even be able to get to your choice of mountain. And that’s why autumn is better.

One of the things I like about hiking in Spring is the specific pale green hues on the trees. It is especially beautiful when contrasted with the pink of the mountain cherry blossoms.

Like this:

Here are some photos of spring in Yamagata for you

I believe that distinctive bump at the summit means that is Hokari-yama in the distance.

Minamidani on Haguro-san, the remains of the temple that Matsuo Basho stayed in.

At this time last year I climbed Mokuzo-yama in Shinjo City. That was a wild ride where I learned more than I ever thought I would about Shinzo Abe and Kurosawa Akira’s (purported) relationship.

This is the start of the third slope on Haguro-san, Minamidani is at the end of the path to the right.

And this is at the summit of Haguro-san. That shrine is dedicated to Tenyu Betto, one of the chief priests of Haguro-san, and the one in charge of constructing the stone stairway.

Chokai-san. And then you turn to face the other direction and you see…

Lastly, this was Chokai-san yesterday morning.

Daily Yamabushi for The Week

Daily yamabushi posts for the week of May 23 to 29, 2025.
Read Daily Yamabushi at timbunting.com/blog. Everything I make is free of charge if you know where to find it. I’d start here.