Tengusumotori-yama lies at the edge of the Asahi Renpo (Asahi Alps) on the borders of Tsuruoka City and Nishikawa Town. The name literally means 'mountain where the Tengu sumo wrestle'. The mountain is named after having a 20m-wide flat area that looks like a giant sumo ring. Tengu are Japanese Yokai, supernatural beings. Along with Shojiga-take, Tengusumotori-yama links to the main ridge of the Asahi Renpo, and the Tengu Hut and water source there mean many people visit.

Tengusumotori-yama is but one peak on the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata to feature Tengu. There is also Tengu-yama in Murayama, Tengu-san in Okitama, and other places such as Yakushi-san where legends of Tengu exist.

The Asahi Renpo (Asahi Alps)

The mountains on the Asahi Renpo also on the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata are (from north to south) Shojiga-take, Ito-dake, Tengusumotori-yama, Torihara-yama, Koasahi-dake, Osasahi-dake, and Okitama Ha-yama.

Tengusumotori-yama Minamimatasawa Trail (4 hours 20 one-way)

The trailhead begins at a carpark where the Minamimata-sawa and Oisawa rivers meet at the end of the forest road in Oisawa, Nishikawa Town. Take a left in front of the bridge over the Oisawa river, then cross the Minamimata-sawa river and walk amongst the larch, beech, and Japanese white pine. There is a place to gather water near Takiga-dake but be careful as there isn't always water. From there, take the cobblestone path and once you're past the rain measurement station you'll find yourself at the Kurihata junction that splits between Tengusumotori-yama and Shojiga-take. From here you get views of the Asahi Renpo, with Tengusumotori-yama the closest peak. Take a left at the junction and about 20 minutes after going through the bush you will arrive at the summit.