Shrines and temples

[Yamagata Prefecture] Rissekiji Temple (Yamadera) forms part of the four-temple corridor including Chusonji, Motsuji, and Zuiganji.

Edit3.51
2023.07.22
Last updated: 2024.04.25

table of contents

1 A corner of the four-temple corridor founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin
2 Access by car or train
3 Highlights of the approach
4 summary
- 4.1 INFORMATION

Rishakuji Temple in Yamagata Prefecture . Commonly known as Yamadera it is a Tendai sect temple that is said to have been founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin in 860 at the behest of Emperor Seiwa

The principal image is Yakushi Nyorai, and the entire mountain is said to be a temple, so you have to climb 1,050 steps from the trailhead to the final point, a temple called Nyoho-do (Okuno-in). yeah. Normally, I would feel out of breath just looking at them, but these stairs at Yamadera strangely give me the strength to climb them.

It was designated as a national historic site and scenic spot on March 25, 1932.

A corner of the four-temple corridor founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin

It has been designated as Zaokoku National Park (Class 2 Special Area), and includes Risshakuji Temple (Yamagata Prefecture), Chusonji Temple (Iwate Prefecture), Motsuji Temple (Iwate Prefecture), and Zuiganji Temple (Miyagi Prefecture), which were founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin. , it forms the ``Shijikairo'' that goes around

``Oku no Hosomichi'' a travelogue that is representative of Japan and includes this pilgrimage .

Link: Michinoku Ancient Temple Pilgrimage “Four Temple Corridors”

In addition, it is also included in the ``Dewa Three Famous Temples Visit''

Access by car or train

Access to Risshokuji Temple is basically by car or train.

Basically there is a fee, but there are multiple parking lots, so I don't think you will have any trouble finding one. The average cost is 500 yen/day.

By train, use the JR Senzan Line, which takes about 20 minutes from Yamagata Station, and about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Sendai Station by local trains.

It's about a 5-7 minute walk from Yamadera Station on the JR Senzan Line to the entrance to the shrine, and you can see the temple nestled in the mountain as soon as you get off the station, so you won't have to worry about getting lost.

Highlights of the approach

The mountain path leading to Okunoin at the top is dotted with various sights. I will introduce some of them.

Nemotochudo

When you step into the trailhead, you will see Konpon Chudo, the main hall, in front of you. It has been designated as an important cultural property, and the principal image, a wooden seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai, is enshrined inside the hall.

In addition, there is a Buddhist lantern in Nekonchudo, and the fire that was lit there was separated from Enryakuji Temple, and it is said that it has never died out since the temple was founded. There is also an anecdote that when the lanterns of Enryaku-ji Temple went out due to Oda Nobunaga's burning attack, the fire was separated from Risshaku-ji Temple.

A statue of Matsuo Basho, donated by a famous Yamagata business family, and a statue of his disciple, Sora Kawai

Slightly west of Konpon Chudo, near the Nenbutsu Hall, there are Matsuo Basho Kawai Sora , who accompanied him on the journey

Yamadera (statue of Matsuo Basho and Kawai Sora)

was apparently donated by Denroku and Denshiro Suzuki of Denroku, a company headquartered in Yamagata that is famous for manufacturing and selling bean confectionery By the way, the statue of Basho was donated by Mr. Denroku, and the statue of Sora was donated by Mr. Denshiro.

Chikara Konnyaku, a Yamadera specialty near the Sanmon Gate

After climbing for a while and arriving at the Sanmon gate, you will find the famous Chikara Konnyaku . It is sold in large pots.

There are three konjac balls on a skewer, and the soy sauce gives it a comforting taste that reminds me of my mom in the countryside. Many tourists come here to take a break as it soothes the fatigue of mountain climbing.

“The sound of cicadas that penetrates the silence and rocks” Cemizuka

After taking a breather and climbing further up, you will come to "Semi-zuka", the place where Matsuo Basho wrote his famous haiku.

Basho's famous poem, ``The voice of the cicadas that penetrates the silence and rocks'', . It is said that this place was built on May 27, 1689 (July 13, 1689) by burying strips of paper with the poem written on them and erecting a stone mound.

Perhaps because of this influence, the ``Cicadas of Yamadera'' one of the ``100 Soundscapes of Japan'' by the Ministry of the Environment , and the area around this cicada mound is said to be the perfect spot to hear the cicadas.

Niomon, the middle point of the approach

This gate was rebuilt in 1848 (Kaei 1), and the roof is a gabled roof with a copper plate roof.

On the left and right sides of the gate are enshrined Nioson statues, which are said to have been created by disciples of Unkei,

Godaido, a scenic spot at Risshakuji Temple

At this point, there is a path that goes a little off to the left. At the end of the road are two temples called Kaizan-do and Nokyodo, and the scenery around this area is often photographed as the scenery of Yamadera.

It is said that the remains of Jikaku Daishi Ennin are buried in the cave below the Kaizando cliff The small red Mido Hall is the Nokyodo Hall where copies of sutras are kept, and is said to be the oldest building on the grounds.

There is a road that leads further back, so if you go up there you will find ``Godaido''

It is like an open observation space, and a magnificent panoramic view spreads out in front of you. If you come in spring, you can have the rare experience of looking down on cherry blossoms. When I looked down, I couldn't help but think, "I've climbed this far."

Terminal of the mountain road “Okunoin”

After completing the detour, return to the approach and climb further to reach , Okunoin

Okunoin, whose official name is Nyoho-do, is a sutra copying dojo for calligraphy and calligraphy that was rebuilt in 1872. It enshrines Shaka Nyorai and Taho Nyorai, which are said to have been carried by Jikaku Daishi Ennin during his training in China, as the principal images. The old hall on the right is Nyoho-do, and the Great Buddha Hall on the left houses a 5-meter-tall golden statue of Amida Nyorai .

Hidden spot Urayama Temple (Minenoura)

``Urayamadera'', to be the place where Jikaku Daishi Ennin formulated his idea for Yamadera The official name ``Minenoura'' and there are many hidden tourist spots such as Senju-in Kannon which is the gateway, Tarumi ruins, Shugenjo ruins, and Eboshi Rock.

The main attraction is the Tarumi Ruins, a rocky area with honeycomb-shaped holes created by eroding tuff.

If you go to the back, you ``Ennin-shuku ruins.' ' This is the place where the aforementioned Jikaku Daishi Ennin is said to have devised the idea of a mountain temple, and because of its appearance, it has been spread mainly on SNS in recent years, and the number of tourists has increased. It seems that there are. Yamadera is a hidden tourist spot with a mysterious atmosphere.

However, this trail involves a real mountain path, so you will need to be prepared and wear comfortable walking shoes.

summary

In addition to this, there are four other temples in Risshaku-ji along the mountain path called Shouso-in, Kinjo-in, Chusho-in, and Kazo-in. While climbing 1,050 steps, there are probably few spots where you can enjoy so many things all at once: history, nature, spectacular views, the taste of delicious chikara konnyaku, and the sense of accomplishment you've achieved at the top. This is a must-see tourist attraction when visiting Yamagata Prefecture.