Hunting Natural Highs in the Mountains of Japan

In a world that feels increasingly more chaotic by the day, people are searching for ways to enjoy life's natural highs. VICE's Fernando Perez traveled to Japan to learn about Shugendo, an ancient Japanese practice centered around finding peace through nature.
Based on the ascetic practices of En no Gyoja, Shugendo practitioners are known to wander through the forests of Japan for months on end, meditate under freezing cold waterfalls and to stand on the edge of vast cliffs. The entire process is meant to slow things down by becoming a part of nature, and by doing so achieve a higher form of consciousness. From meeting the traditional monks of Sakuramotobou Temple to experiencing life with Kosho, a free monk in Kumano, VICE got a taste of what Shugendo can bring to daily life.
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[@dennischen8887]

When I lived in Tokyo, I hiked up almost every mountain in the Saitama and Chiba area. Japan has one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world.

[@tontonpacute]

one of the few vice presenters that are actually relatable and likeable

[@face-plant4706]

tontonpacute absolutely agreed

[@Fdeubcfhbbjhfd]

agreed

[@tamilalltrendings1896]

Please try this...sit straight...keep your tip of ur tongue on soft palet...inhale your attention through centre of eyes to stomach,and exhale slowly stomach to crown of head with eyes open...for 3 minutes...don't go anywhere u will feel trance little trance..it will benefits for actions and smart talks and deep sleep...similar to vasi yogam secret vechitu ena pana porom enjoy...it emits dmt from your pineal gland and slowly activates kundalini...100%true..just try one time u will feel it..it is capable of fastly heal your whole inner organs...

[@Lucid_Waking]

Agreed. At first I thought.. "Natural High? Shouldn't Hamilton be on this one?" But enjoyed Fernando openness and genuine interest.

[@starrrburst]

I like how Fernando keeps an open mind to their practises. He isn’t skeptical, but just enjoying the experience! Love it!

[@Iceberqe]

It's been a long time since Vice made a good documentary like this

[@buddyollieextreme9590]

Iceberqe Ikr?

[@finchisneat]

"Normally you just focus on getting there, but we were 'there' the whole time" Well put.

[@keelan3332]

the music they were making at the waterfall sounded badass.

[@slippymcgoo2004]

Love this dudes voice for narration

[@themassagemasters]

I love how VICE not only teaches no matter how dangerous or taboo the subject content is, you all always manage to leave me entertained and surprised every time I watch. Thanks👍🏽

[@teukkahiiri7314]

The last monk is my idol.. The first time I've seen a person so alive!

[@richieinswansea]

The part after his story of hiking around the hill for a 100 days where he says "I wanted to learn about having fun in nature" is beautiful. You can definitely see all his activities as fun things to do. A way of cathartic expression perhaps though voice, motion and the connection with nature. Pretty awesome way of life I must say.

[@Kodoku97]

Kosho seemed like a cool guy. Possibly the best part of the video.

[@mememachine2357]

This documentary is dope! I'm digging the journalist too.

[@Emily_Entropy]

Loved that last monk he was chillin with. Now I want to see them form a James Brown cover band with his primitive instruments and that monk on vocals.

[@davidhyrman144]

Tim Webb ahahahah fuck yea

[@GodIsGoodXavier]

Tim Webb "monk on vocals" lol

[@teresa1273]

Lmfao 😂😂

[@MoonGodd3ss]

What an honor to meet such spirits and truly experience them in their element!

[@roseyr.7037]

Thought they were gonna talk about drugs at first but this is better

[@wahmanwahman386]

Rosey R. Same gurl.

[@Audimartini]

aggreed

[@jimbrady735]

I looked up his name on google and realized I have two signed baseball cards of him when he was with the Rays. He looks so different without the beard and with dreads. Awesome to see he is doing neat stuff and a great baseball career!

[@jimbrady735]

*after

[@raheelsheikh7703]

Yup, I went to school with him, Fernando Peres; he's definitely enjoying life after baseball :)

[@alexterria4331]

That sounds like a breathtaking experience

[@Realitee13]

It's all about VIBRATION. if you understand that each of us is a vibration. when you go in to connect with nature, you are merely connectining with your NATURAL VIBRATION. your connection with your true self will remind you of how precious you really are. you are sharing your own vibration to intertwine or connect with TRUE SOURCE and it makes you high. ase

[@sacramentallyill]

What kind of vibrator are you?

[@Adomanic]

"So natural and traditional.... now let's drop some mad synth beats."

[@jellydopenut2073]

I am from America but I've been visiting family here in Korea. I'll be here for at least 11 months. During my stay, i am living on my uncle's mountain. This is some crazy stuff but I love it.

[@leifa888]

As someone who has dedicated my life to spiritual practice and from learning from different cultures to distill my own truth, I appreciate Vice for the mini doc. Theres quite a few insights that can be gleaned from just the tidbits that you guys showed that deepened my understanding of the Art of Shugendo. Hopefully you guys keep up the good work and cover spiritual practices of other cultures as well.

[@Panddaz]

I love videos like this from Vice, theyre like little mini documentaries that I get wrapped up in and end up watching these until like 3AM

[@martyt9441]

"I want sake We go back"hahaha he is number1

[@sassysasquatch1374]

japanese culture is honestly so beautiful

[@junjungatbos3548]

Sassy Sasquatch gotta love their annual dolphin slaughter😉

[@donaxtrunculus5023]

Jun Jun Gatbos IF controlled nothing wrong with it.

[@illdrumatik391]

Donax Trunculus Yeah it's totally cool they're on the verge of the endangered species list.

[@buushin337]

I'd say that this is actually out of the box. Japanese culture is very strict and harch sometimes. This is more "nature" to the "roots" kind of practice.

[@curtisbaker4325]

Yeah their war culture is great too

[@Zosaell]

This really made me relaxed.

[@IronReef77]

Been spending the past few weeks and days in the mountains. Has a good blend of mountains and vibrant green plants/trees. Two parts of nature that has always made me very high naturally.

[@Crimulous]

best reporter and best documentary ive seen from Vice

[@pheelmacababe2861]

i bought a singing bowl a few years ago and its always my most cherished meditation sound, bells and chimes hold a special tone in your ears and in your mind

[@evelinecarolinelienhuaming1184]

A mountain is composed of tiny grains of earth. The ocean is made up of tiny drops of water. Even so, life is but an endless series of little details, actions, speeches, and thoughts. And the consequences whether good or bad of even the least of them are far-reaching ^_^

[@dylanod.4189]

Velin Christine that some Einstein shit

[@evelinecarolinelienhuaming1184]

iHAVEbeenCHALLENGED Let the Mountain become Natural & Balance ^ω^

[@evelinecarolinelienhuaming1184]

Dick Hammerson Clear your mind and become nothingness ˚ω˚

[@TheOatTea]

Spot the high watching

[@gabrielwolffang1312]

Dick Hammerson thank you for entertain me with your shits. I appreciate imperfection once in a while to understand how behind and undeveloped we are as a species. Your existence delivered just that

[@user-qs2le2cs2r]

Please make "Natural highs" a whole series!

[@uneekelements1591]

I like the method of using subtitles and cutting out the translator. Really makes conversation appear more fluid.

[@BipolarGemini]

I literally live for vice. They always come thru with all the good vids. Seems like the perfect job to have tbh.

[@goldjustgold5942]

The best thing I've seen on KZbin. Thank you.

[@ikaroshalloumi1902]

Every country have their contact with nature culture. Find the one closest to you and connect. It’s easier than it seems and brings you so much happiness and fulfillment. Thank you for sharing this document.

[@mapdasilva1012]

One of the best Vice docummentaries

[@hornetgaming2888]

Thank you for covering this experience! Love vice.

[@manuelweihrauch9790]

Wonderful documentary! Thank you!

[@QueyBan]

i really enjoyed this

[@Brokenslipper]

Such an awesome journey! Thank you for sharing!!

[@lokinpsychg]

Love this video man.

[@bmeier0689]

This is amazing! I wish the video was longer tho, truly an awesome experience it seems.

[@RarityLifestyle]

This is next level. Thank you for this.

[@SebastianTinajero]

God I’m so jealous this guy had this opportunity! Their Temples are so beautiful

[@queentron17]

this seems so amazing.

[@Dullbedsitblogger]

wow the free monk was so charismatic. I think he could teach everyone something with out the feeling like they were l;earning!

[@dhammadasa2563]

Absolutely beautiful, Thank you

[@DarylSolis]

I live in Japan and had never heard of Shugendo. But I love hiking here so I will start to slow things down, Shugendo style. I like it!

[@LockeTheChief]

Loved watching this documentary. It seems so peaceful there. Maybe I'll seek it out one day.

[@LewisStVictor]

this was a real nice! enjoyed it a lot.

[@raheelsheikh7703]

Great video, learned a lot and now I'm excited to visit Japan...love the host and his narration skills.

[@Poonkaans]

Awesome. As always a fantastic insight into something I have never heard of before!

[@More_Row]

This was really nice.

[@ortem000]

Such a lovely experience.

[@thedudeishere13]

I haven't seen this guy do videos before. I like him a lot! Just involved in learning about something and showing it as he goes.

[@FountainBeee]

Thank you for sharing content on the topic.

[@blubb7711]

Yey finally something good on vice.

[@SuperDungeonBoy]

Thanks 4 the video : )

[@hanakob4563]

this was very interesting i loved it !

[@CuriosityCulture]

Only in Japan. I love this!

[@trashbagsally]

Harshil Patel actually MR PATEL nature worship is found in every continent even garjurat...

[@Mustafa-qc6il]

ウチハサスケ India is much more diverse than that, don't generalize.

[@SebastianTinajero]

I’d love to travel around the world and try all different types of worships like this from all different cultures

[@Mustafa-qc6il]

nik141991 yeah, he has an anime profile pic so his opinion doesn't matter anyway.

[@TheBangooman]

As a matter of fact this looks like japanese shamanisn, if that's the case, no, not only in Japan.

[@GlobalJargen]

this is what i subscribed for! awesome

[@chrisWTG]

beautiful, i love japan!!!

[@Shuriken009]

Finally some good vice journalists lately!

[@BlueRaspberry99s]

i miss Hamilton

[@clark523]

aaron they have season 2 of Hamilton's pharmacopoeia but it's not on KZbin

[@SpaceCamelWonder]

He still makes videos. Just not on vice.

[@villainofvirginia7747]

Love this guy

[@shannonluster5083]

This was excellent

[@dblstndrd526]

wonderful video!

[@airsoftbeast11]

Great episode

[@thelovelylindseydrew]

This is so appealing

[@benefitizsexy]

Amazing video! I love japan!

[@lydiahalliday6532]

Loved the host. He was so into it and willing to just go with the flow

[@markpla584]

beautiful!

[@dustybrabbit1]

Love it ...

[@JOE324WILD]

By KNOWING peace, is by knowing yourSELF. By when you do know that, you then know that the self was always connected and you were always with the self and self was always with you.

[@vnm_8945]

I need this.

[@noelconrad4194]

so there is practice like this in this world, super

[@martinw7340]

what a powerful insight into the hidden world of japan. i am very interested by their culture, and i greatly appreciate the difference between them and the western world. thank you vice for another insightful video

[@sethfrazier27]

Would love to try this practice

[@TheRJH1]

Amazing

[@HiAdrian]

Good.

[@josephruiz4163]

Refreshing af .

[@camgood2437]

It's this playful spirit and sense of vitality through nature that attracted me to Zen Buddhism, which I've practiced for over eleven years now. I think it has helped me to experience life more fully, without holding myself back so much. And it's taught me to not be so serious and take things as they come.. and have fun! Lol..

[@yeyo9404]

Oh man that was soooooooo cooooooooooool that was spiritually enlightening

[@davidrishtakov1]

Very enjoyable

[@safermonk]

very interesting and cool video thanks for everyone who help made it.

[@Duffman2010ify]

loved this ^_^

[@tommysoliz3064]

Awesome video

[@attheendofthedaymotorsport754]

Good one vice 👍

[@drewbags3291]

wow just wow.

[@koffinkat666]

We Demand Hamilton, We need Hamilton, Hamilton is love, Hamilton is life!!!

[@fucktard710]

koffinkat666 he’s busy doing bigger things, I need a weekly episode of Hamilton’s pharmacopeia but one can only dream sadly...

[@koffinkat666]

True that would be Divine.

[@Maddle10]

This reporter was pretty good though as well, pretty unbiased and opened

[@koffinkat666]

He was, Although the quirky socially awkward fumblings of the great intellectual that is Hamilton are unmatched.

[@Maddle10]

koffinkat666 true

[@jasonwilson5307]

Awesome

[@Audimartini]

this is what ii need

[@kylemavris5913]

Love this presenter

[@TheSilentFool]

14:40 is that monk saying he also tried cocaine?

[@PrashantAnnamalai]

yes apparently

[@duff06]

Yup

[@_AdrianD]

1000% Unless he snorts his weed, meth and alcohol. Dumbass.

[@andyperson7695]

Probably but not necessarily, there are other drugs that somebody might snort

[@andyperson7695]

There are other things he could have snorted

[@MetallFistGuitar]

fantastic

[@erichewes3288]

Kosho seems like an absolute joy :)

[@blakedies]

Really liked Fernando, should be in more vids.

[@greyslacka1675]

love this shit. love how passionate fernando is

[@yotofee]

1:34 Praising the sun before it was cool

[@deroux]

great!

[@stephaniefitzsimon1021]

I immediately have a significant fondness for Kosho Tateishi.