KIWI YAMABUSHI
Kia ora, I’m Tim Bunting, the Kiwi Yamabushi. I am a Dewa Sanzan Yamabushi Sendatsu (Master Japanese mountain ascetic) from Aotearoa. I’ve been living in rural Yamagata Prefecture in the northern Tohoku region of Japan since 2010, a massive region that is still virtually untouched. Besides taking up 18% of Japan’s total landmass, Tohoku received a mere 1.6% of the total overnight stays by international tourists in 2024. If you want to explore the untouched part of Japan, I couldn’t think of anywhere better.
This is where I share all the things I’ve learned along the way, such as my Japan Deep Dives, documenting the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata, and the Daily Yamabushi archive of over 2,500 posts.
THE YAMABUSHI PATH
Based in Yamagata, Japan, I have trained in Haguro Shugendo as a yamabushi (Japanese mountain ascetic) since 2017. I train under Master Fumihiro Hoshino through Daishobo pilgrim’s lodge on Haguro-san (Mt. Haguro), and through Dewa Sanyama Jinja (Dewa Sanzan Shrine). In 2025, I achieved the rank of Sendatsu (Master).
What is a yamabushi?
GO BENEATH THE SURFACE
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JAPAN DEEP DIVES
These longer essays from The Kiwi Yamabushi Substack are a mix of deep dives into Shugendo philosophy and comedic commentaries on the quirks of life in rural Japan. By mixing ancient mountain wisdom with the realities of modern rural living, I provide a unique, first-hand perspective on the Yamagata way of life. Here are some of my favourite Japan Deep Dive Essays just for you.
100 FAMOUS MOUNTAINS OF YAMAGATA
Literally ‘made of mountains’, Yamagata Prefecture is covered in legendary ancient peaks. I am building an archive of hiking guides and cultural stories for the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata Prefecture in the Tohoku region of north Japan.
Each of the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata offers a unique backstory. Throughout this project, I have uncovered a plethora of ancient trails, ‘phantom’ waterfalls, more than a few former mountain castles, not to mention countless myths and legends.
And that’s just the beginning.
What is the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata Project?
Here are some of my favourite Stories from the mountains of Yamagata. View all of the Stories here.
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And here are some Hiking Guides to my favourite 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata so far. View all of the Hiking Guides here.
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Daily Yamabushi
I post daily reflections on the intersection of modern life and mountain asceticism called Daily Yamabushi. This living archive contains over 2,500 posts written since 2019. You can subscribe for daily updates or view a random post from the collection to explore a different perspective on the Yamabushi path.
More Daily Yamabushi
Thank you for visiting, I hope to see you on the mountains!