TIM BUNTING

KIWI YAMABUSHI

KIWI YAMABUSHI

Tim Bunting Kiwi Yamabushi
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Kia ora koutou. I’m Tim Bunting, the Kiwi Yamabushi.

I’m a practicing Dewa Sanzan Yamabushi, a Japanese mountain ascetic based in Yamagata Prefecture, in the Tōhoku region of northern Japan. Since 2016, I’ve trained in Haguro Shugendō under Master Fumihiro Hoshino through Daishobō, a pilgrim’s lodge on Haguro-san, and through Dewa Sanzan Jinja.


If you’re interested in experiencing Shugendō for yourself, check out Yamabushido.jp. Tell them I sent you.


In my spare time, I share stories from the overlooked corners of Japan, especially here in Tōhoku. I publish a Substack newsletter with over 1,500 subscribers, write a daily blog, and post videos on YouTube (over 1,000 subscribers). You’ll find me on most platforms as @kiwiyamabushi.

I’m currently on a mission to summit and document all 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata.

I’m available for:

  • Online consultation
  • Public speaking (in English or Japanese)
  • Guided experiences on the Dewa Sanzan (via Yamabushidō.jp or DewaSanzan.com)

As a Master Yamabushi and the creator of DewaSanzan.com, I believe I’m the most knowledgeable native English speaker on these sacred mountains.

POPULAR ARTICLES

All of the articles can be found here.

I Never Thought I’d See This in Aotearoa New Zealand

The Culture Shock I Never Expected—Nor Wanted

Joining a Local Japanese Coffee Brewing Competition

Notice I didn't say 'winning'.

A Jizo statue at the top of Mt. Kyogakura in Sakata
Uketamo: the philosophy to live by

Uketamo has a long, long history.

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MOUNTAINS OF YAMAGATA

Here are a few posts of my adventures climbing the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata. Read about the project here, or view all articles here.

Mt. Chokai
The best Fuji alternative: Chokai-san

Dewa Fuji, The Fuji of The North, Chokai-san, Mt. Chokai: Tallest peak entirely in Tohoku often said to resemble Mt. Fuji, leading to the name Dewa Fuji (after the former province of Dewa).

Mother. Hunter. Mountain. Hokari-yama (Mt. Hokari)

Kinbo Shugen Mountain with a strange name and amazing trails amongst the autumn leaves

Mt. Atsumi in Atsumi Onsen, a quaint Onsen Hot Spring town in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture
Reaching Peak Tranquility: Atsumi-dake (Mt. Atsumi)

The hidden Onsen (Hot Spring) town of Atsumi's own hidden gem

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DAILY YAMABUSHI

Here are some of my Daily Yamabushi posts. Get more here.

Bad news is just a matter of perspective

And time

Not Even Trying

Is not going to work

Just Accept

Just Surrender

What if it goes bad?

What if it goes good?

A Win This Time

Isn’t a win next time.  A win this time isn’t a win next time. A win is a win, but did it teach you much? How much did you truly gain from the experience?  Losing is good because it teaches you more. What will you do next time around? Then, if you start winning a […]

That Was Fundamental

Moments and Memories

Blame the Pilot

The turbulence is real

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KIWI YAMABUSHI

Tim Bunting Kiwi Yamabushi

Get updates from the mountains of Japan in your email for free! Sign up for the Kiwi Yamabushi newsletter here.

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Join Yamabushi Training at https://www.yamabushido.jp. Tell them I sent you. Master Yamabushi Takeharu Kato asks me about life on the mountains of Japan as a Master Yamabushi. We dive deep into: The Respect for Ancestors: How Mount Gassan, the world of the afterlife, transformed my understanding of my own roots and our collective connection to humanity. The Maori Connection: The surprising realization that the mountain I grew up on in New Zealand, bridging my childhood with my current practice in Japan. Living by Uketamo: What it means to let your "sensing mind" lead and how to stop the "monkey brain" from clouding your judgment. The Magic of the Mountains: Why we lead people into storms, cold waterfalls, and deep snow to prove that they are capable of much more than they think. Whether you are looking for a challenge to prove you are alive or simply want to understand the ancient philosophy of the Yamabushi, this conversation is an invitation to stop thinking and start doing. "It's better to regret something you did than something you didn't do." #Yamabushi #Uketamo #Japan #MountainPhilosophy #PersonalTransformation #Ancestry #Mindfulness #UketamoTalks #DewaSanzan
Takatori-yama is very much a locals’ mountain. It’s not especially famous, and it doesn’t have the grand aura of Zao or Gassan. Yet that’s exactly what makes it so refreshing; a quiet, brisk hike through forest, farmland, and viewpoints that connect you to the everyday landscapes of Yamagata. Full article: https://www.timbunting.com/mountains/takatori Yamabushi Newsletter: https://www.kiwiyamabushi.com If you enjoyed this, check out my other videos on Yamagata’s hidden mountains. #Japan #Yamagata #Hiking
How did I end up giving my girlfriend funeral flowers? What do chrysanthemums really mean in Japan? And why are they connected to death, the Imperial family, and even food? This is the story of my biggest cultural mistake in Japan, how I learned NEVER TRUST THE CHRYSANTHEMUMS!! Original article this video is based on: https://timbunting.com/chrysanthemums/ Kiwi Yamabushi Newsletter: Get deep dives into rural Japan, Shugendō, and Yamabushi culture in your inbox: https://kiwiyamabushi.com ✨ Paid subscribers get early access! This video was released a week earlier for paid newsletter subscribers. If you’d like to support my work (and get early access + exclusive content), consider upgrading here: 👉 https://www.kiwiyamabushi.com/ 💬 Have you ever made a cultural mistake abroad? Share your story in the comments! I’d love to hear it so I know I'm not alone! #Japan #CultureShock #KiwiYamabushi #CulturalMistakes #JapanFlowers #Chrysanthemum #RuralJapan Image credits: 📸 All footage and images shot and edited by me in Yamagata, Japan. 8/100
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Sakata City, Yamagata, Japan 

timb008@gmail.com

All photos my own unless otherwise stated. Contact for more. 

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