In Japan, there are countless places where Shugendo monks used to practice. The below are one of them.
Hakusan
Hakusan, which is famous for being a headquarters of Hakusan worship, is 2,702 meters high holly mountain locates over the Ishikawa prefecture and Gihu prefecture.
It was opened in early 8th centuries. There is a legend that ascetic Taicho of Echizen (Hukui prefecture now) climbed to pray by the lakeside of Midorigaike, 9 heads dragon emerged and changed into eleven-faced Avalokiteshvara.
In 9th centuries, after being installed the gate called "Banba", the Hakusan worship movement spread rapidly and widely. In the heyday it gained the greatest influence next to Kumano.
However, there are many mysteries in this Hakusan worship. Some scholars point there are not a little influence of Continent such as Korea or Siberia.
Hikosan
Hikosan, which locates between the Hukuoka Prefecture and Ooita prefecture, is the biggest headquarters of Shugen in Kyushu, as well as being counted as one of the three biggest headquarters of Shugen in Japan with Kumano and Dewa Sanzan.
About the origin of it, there are some legends such as myth around the Sun GoddessAmaterasu Omikami, around the EN no Gyoja, or the ascetic Jugen from Kumano. There is also a legend that the monk Zensho from Chinese Northern Wei opened it.
Togakushiyama
Togakushiyama, which locates between the Nagano prefecture and Niigata prefecture, is also known as the mountains of Shugen from old. Besides that, it is also known as a home ground of Togakushi NInjutsu.
The founder of the mountains is Gakumon Gyouja who practiced in Izunasan. The legend says in 850, seeing the 9 head dragon emerging, he built a temple to establish the headquarters.
Izunasan, which is also known as the mountain of Shugen, and is very famous with its strong magic art "Izuna Tsukai", is located only 10 kilometers near from here.