Mountains rise not only from the earth, but from the spirit. In Japan, three peaks are revered above all: Mt. Fuji, Mt. Tate, and Mt. Haku. Known collectively as Sanreizan (三霊山), these are the Three Holy Mountains of Japan—guardians of faith, nature, and beauty.
Each mountain has shaped Japanese culture in quiet, powerful ways. They appear in myths, pilgrimage routes, poetry, and paintings. And at the heart of it all stands Mt. Fuji—the most iconic, yet not alone in its sacred role.
Let’s walk this spiritual path together.
Mt. Fuji: The Divine Icon
Mt. Fuji (富士山) is Japan’s tallest peak, rising 3,776 meters above sea level. But height alone doesn’t explain its power. Fuji is a symbol, a muse, and a spiritual anchor.
Its perfect symmetry has made it the subject of hundreds of ukiyo-e prints, most famously by Hokusai and Hiroshige. For Hokusai, Fuji was more than a mountain. His Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji celebrated it as eternal, changing only through light, weather, and season.
Religiously, Fuji has long been a sacred site. Followers of the Fuji-kō sect once climbed it to seek purification and enlightenment. Even today, thousands ascend each year during summer, often beginning the climb at night to witness the Goraikō—the sunrise from its summit.
Fuji is not just beautiful. It is deeply revered. And it is the most well known mountain of the Sanreizan.
Mt. Tate: The Mystical Mirror
Mount Tate (立山), one of the “Three Sacred Peaks of the North Alps,” embodies a different kind of spirit. Located in Toyama Prefecture, Tateyama is known for its misty valleys, hot springs, and ancient pilgrimage trails.
This mountain is associated with Buddhist notions of the afterlife. In medieval Japan, people believed that Tateyama’s terrain represented the three Buddhist realms—heaven, hell, and this world. Its valleys were places of judgment, and the mountain’s peaks were gateways to paradise.
Pilgrims visited Tateyama not just for the climb, but for salvation. They performed nenbutsu chants and bathed in hot springs believed to cleanse karma.
Artists have captured Tateyama’s haunting beauty in screen paintings and emaki (picture scrolls), often depicting the journey of souls ascending or wandering. Its silence tells a different story from Fuji’s bold presence—but it speaks just as clearly.
Mt. Haku: The White Mountain of Purity
Mount Haku (白山), or “White Mountain,” lies on the border of Ishikawa and Gifu prefectures. It is named for the snow that caps it much of the year, a reminder of its purity and isolation.
Shinto legend tells of Haku as a dwelling place of the kami—divine spirits of nature. It is also sacred in Buddhism, linked to the mountain deity Hakusan Daigongen. Pilgrimages to Mt. Haku were once as common as those to Fuji, especially during the Heian period.
The paths are quieter now, but they still carry the echo of sutras and footsteps. Wildflowers bloom along trails in the summer. In fall, the forest glows in maple red. And in winter, snow wraps the land in silence.
Art connected to Haku is more subdued—brush paintings, shōjin ryōri (temple cuisine), and seasonal poetry. This is a mountain of contemplation, best met with humility.
Sanreizan and the Zen of Mountains
Together, the Sanreizan form more than a sacred trio. They reflect the core of Japanese spirituality: a blend of reverence, transience, and nature worship.
In Zen thought, mountains are more than obstacles. They are teachers. A mountain asks nothing. It does not change for you. It waits. Climbing one becomes an internal journey—a return to stillness.
Fuji teaches awe. Tate guides reflection. Haku whispers simplicity.
Each mountain has appeared in different forms of Japanese art—Fuji in woodblock prints, Tate in narrative scrolls, and Haku in poetry and painting. Together, they offer a visual and spiritual map of Japan’s soul.
Why This Still Matters Today
In a fast world, slow climbs matter. In a distracted life, sacred landscapes can realign our center. The Three Holy Mountains continue to remind us that nature and spirit are not separate—they rise from the same ground.
Artists still paint them. Hikers still seek them. And Zen practitioners still reflect on their quiet wisdom.
Whether viewed from afar or felt underfoot, these mountains shape how we see the world—and how we return to ourselves.
Read more:
- 6 of the Most Prominent Mount Fuji Ukiyo-e Art Prints
- Hokusai Was Not One Artist, But Many: A Life in Ukiyo-e Transformation
- Why Did Hokusai Move Over 100 Times During His Life?
- 11 Most Influential Ukiyo-e Artists: Masters of Japanese Woodblock Prints
At the Art of Zen we have a wide selection of original Japanese style art prints in the ukiyo-e and Japandi style. Some of our best selling work is Mount Fuji wall art and Japandi wall art.
Add some zen to your space with some art from the Art of Zen shop.
Featured image at top of Mt Fuji Crater by Fujisan World Heritage Center.
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