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Tim Bunting Kiwi Yamabushi

POPULAR ARTICLES

Here are a few samples of what you find in my newsletter, Mountains of Wisdom.

photo of peeled banana on yellow plate and background

The MONSTROSITY that is Tokyo Banana

The Badass Fudomyo’o: Your new Favourite Buddhist Deity

Japan is in the year 2683?

Why is this Buddha EVERYWHERE in Japan?

Chokai-san (Mt. Chokai)

Hiking Guide: Mountains of The Shonai Region of Yamagata

The Astounding Waterfalls of Chokai-san

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MOUNTAINS OF YAMAGATA

Here are a few posts of my adventures climbing the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata.

Mt. Maya seen from the distance

Mythical Beasts, Buddha’s Mother, and buried Yamabushi treasure? Welcome to Maya-san (Mt. Maya).

More than one of the best hikes in Shonai

A Ryokan (traditional Japanese Inn) at Semi Onsen Hot Spring Resort

Turtles, Tigers, and a Legendary Japanese Character: Kamewari-yama (Mt. Kamewari)

Legendary location next to a quaint Onsen (hot spring) resort along the Oguni River in Mogami Town

Yozo-san: White Snakes, White Monkeys and Slimy Salamanders (Mt. Yozo)

Ancient trail of primeval beech forests, legendary swamp monsters, waterfalls, snow bridges, and more.

Mt. Yudono Shrine Gates during the autumn

The Dewa Sanzan’s Mountain of Rebirth: Yudono-san (Mt. Yudono)

Yudono-san is the final Dewa Sanzan peak in the middle of Yamagata Prefecture that has been a central destination for millions over the centuries

The Heavenly Hideaway of Daizumori-yama

The best effort / reward ratio in Yamagata. Bar none.

Bananas and Cokes, Leaches and Pit Vipers: Kumanonaga-mine (Mt. Kumanonagamine)

How a group of elderly Japanese men saved our arses

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山伏

RECENT BLOG POSTS

person holding iphone showing social networks folder

Smartphones are moment killers

man standing surrounded with smoke

How to find your voice

person holding world globe facing mountain

Uketamo the future when it is the now. Not now.

man in black and white plaid dress shirt sitting on chair in front of macbook

What can you do now?

キウイ

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kiwiyamabushi

A weird day of rain but with Mt. Chokai still very

A weird day of rain but with Mt. Chokai still very much visible. Ominous.

#mountains #mountain #nature #rain #powerofnature #naturelovers

It’s amazing what you can find on the streets of

It’s amazing what you can find on the streets of Japan, like this wooden desk wanting to get back to its roots.

#japan #japanstreet #japanwalk #walkjapan #streetsofjapan #japanstreets

Absolute scenes from Yudono-san on Saturday. The r

Absolute scenes from Yudono-san on Saturday. The real Yudono-san can only be climbed in winter. But you knew that already because you read my post, right? Right!?

Https://www.timbunting.com/yudono

#japan #japantravel #japansnow #snowyjapan #dewasanzan #yudonosan

Post no bills. About the only functioning thing

Post no bills.

About the only functioning thing around here it seems.

#smalltownjapan #japanretro #retro #retrojapan #ruraljapan #japanpost

The dream. A Kei van and an old building to keep y

The dream. A Kei van and an old building to keep you company.

#ruraljapan #smalltownjapan #keitruck #keicar #sakata #yamagata

The humble vending machine. Available at every cor

The humble vending machine. Available at every corner, in every kind of weather. #japan #japanlife #japanphoto #japanfocus

Sankyo Rice Warehouses from the other side of the

Sankyo Rice Warehouses from the other side of the river.

#sakata #yamagata #japan #japantravel #japansnow #japan_daytime_view

Actually one of the most important structures in S

Actually one of the most important structures in Sakata / Yamagata, the Sankyo Rice Warehouses have been instrumental in ensuring you and I get to eat the finest rice on offer from the region. The building still works as it was intended to in the 1890s when it was built. Those big trees to the left, Keyaki, Zelkova in English, lose their leaves in the winter keeping the air flowing through, and in summer the leaves provide that all important shade. Then there is a gap right under the roof that also increases air flow, and keeps the rice fresh until it arrives on our table (well, maybe a bit before that).

#sakata #sakatajapan #yamagata #japantravel #gotojapan #northjapan

Where did winter go? The snow is usually at least

Where did winter go? The snow is usually at least up to my ankles here.

#mtchokai #chokaisan #japansnow #mountains #nature

Winter much? #snow #winter #japanwinter #japansno

Winter much?

#snow #winter #japanwinter #japansnow #winterinjapan #snowinjapan

This year I only got to climb two new mountains on

This year I only got to climb two new mountains on the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata list, but I think I chose well. Daizumori-yama is essentially an awesome lookout right in the middle of the prefecture, with views that are…well… you be the judge. Plus, the lookout is less than 30 minutes hike from the carpark meaning the risk v. Reward ratio is off the charts.

I wrote an article and hiking guide here timbunting.com/daizumori.

What other hidden gems in north Japan do you know?

#yamagata #yamagataprefecture #oetown #nishikawa #hiking #hikingjapan

There are tons of shops like this Ramen store in S

There are tons of shops like this Ramen store in Sakata that you can’t tell if they’re still in business or not. I passed by later and saw a ‘now open’ sign, so this place is still running, but honestly, it’s pretty hard to tell sometimes! They obviously have a core group of customers to keep them going, but I assume like other places in Japan, these people are dying out. Who knows!? Makes for a cool picture with Christmas vibes. Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

(P.S. When I make slight edits, Instagram takes away my ability to post. Anyone else have this issue? It just means I have to edit elsewhere, which is a bit of a pain, is all).

#sakata #yamagata #japan #japanlife #ramen #snowinjapan

The now. Focus on the now.... https://timbunting.

The now. Focus on the now....

https://timbunting.com/reassess-and-move-on/

Just your average morning stroll here in Sakata. C

Just your average morning stroll here in Sakata. Chokai-san looming grand as per usual.

#sakata #japan #tohoku #northjapan #chokaisan #yamagata

HTTPS://www.timbunting.com/blog for more. What d

HTTPS://www.timbunting.com/blog for more.

What do you think?

Instagram post 17956004030622904

Instagram post 17956004030622904

I left my soul on Haguro-san. @yamabushi.do #h

I left my soul on Haguro-san.

@yamabushi.do

#haguro #yamabushi #hagurosan #dewasanzan #japan #shugendo

The pyramids of Japan in Kaneyama Town, Yamagata P

The pyramids of Japan in Kaneyama Town, Yamagata Prefecture.

Full video on YouTube now!

#japan #japanculture #japantravel #japansolo #japanmountains #japanhiking

Zao-san (Mt. Zao) on the borders of Miyagi and Yam

Zao-san (Mt. Zao) on the borders of Miyagi and Yamagata Prefectures is an outdoor lover’s dream! Covered in dozens of trails all with spectacular backstories and a world-class ski field to boot, make sure you add Zao-san to your Japan itinerary!

More info at timbunting.com/zao.

#zao #zaosan #mtzao #japantravel #yamagata #miyagi #tohoku #snowjapan #japanoutdoors #japanhiking #shugendo #yamabushi

#solotravel #solohike #solojapan #japantravel

#solotravel #solohike #solojapan #japantravel

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I'm a practicing yamabushi mountain ascetic from NZ living in north Japan making content on this amazing place.

Sign up for Mountains of Wisdom, my yamabushi newsletter here:
https://www.kiwiyamabushi.substack.com

Or join me on the mountains of Japan with Yamabushido:
https://www.yamabushido.jp

My website:
https://www.Timbunting.com

Daizumori-yama is a peak on the borders of Oe-machi and Nishikawa-Machi in the middle of Yamagata Prefecture. There aren’t many mountains around with the effort / reward ratio Daizumori-yama has, Daizumori-yama truly epitomises the 'mountains shape us' part of Yama (mountain) gata (shape) Prefecture.

Daizumori-yama free hiking guide and maps
https://www.timbunting.com/mountains/daizumori

Yamabushi Mailer:
https://kiwiyamabushi.substack.com/

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Sakata City, Yamagata, Japan

timb008@gmail.com

All photos my own. Contact for more.