Risshakuji Temple, part of the Four Temples Corridor, along with Chusonji Temple, Motsuji Temple, and Zuiganji Temple (Yamagata Prefecture)

located in Yamagata Prefecture,Hojusan Risshakuji Temple,is commonly known asYamaderain 860 by JikakuDaishi EnninIt is a Tendai sect temple said to have been founded

The principal deity is Yakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha), and the entire mountain is said to be a temple. As such, you have to climb 1050 steps from the trailhead to the finalNyohōdō (Okunoin). Normally, just looking at it would leave me breathless, but strangely, these stairs at Yamadera give me the strength to climb.

It was designated as a national historic site and place of scenic beauty on March 25, 1932 (Showa 7)

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

It is designated as a Zao Quasi-National Park (Type 2 Special Area) and forms the "Four Temple Corridor" which visits Risshaku-ji Temple (Yamagata Prefecture), Chuson-ji Temple (Iwate Prefecture), Motsu-ji Temple (Iwate Prefecture), and Zuigan-ji Temple (Miyagi Prefecture), allfounded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin.

The Four Temples Corridor is famous for being visited by the haiku poet Matsuo Basho in the 17th century, and this pilgrimage, along with other events, is compiled into"Oku no Hosomichi,".

Link:Pilgrimage to Ancient Temples in Michinoku "Four Temple Corridor"

which includes Wakamatsu-ji and Jion-ji templesthe three temples that make up the "Pilgrimage to the Three Famous Temples of Dewa,"it is also counted as one of

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Access by car or train

Access to Risshakuji Temple is generally by car or train

Parking is generally paid, but there are multiple parking lots so you shouldn't have any trouble finding one. The average price is 500 yen per day

If you are traveling by train, it is about 20 minutes from Yamagata Station on the JR Senzan Line, and about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Sendai Station on the local train

The entrance to the shrine is about a 5-7 minute walk from Yamadera Station on the JR Senzan Line, and you won't get lost as you can see the temple perched on the mountain as soon as you get off the station

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Highlights of the approach to the shrine

There are many sights to see along the mountain path leading to Okunoin at the summit. We will introduce some of them here

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Nemotochudo

As you step onto the trailhead, the first thing you'll see is the main hall, the Konpon Chudo. It is designated as an Important Cultural Property, and the principalimage, a wooden seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha), is enshrined inside.

There is also a Buddhist lamp in the Konponchudo hall, and the flame that burns there is said to have been shared from Enryaku-ji Temple and has never been extinguished since the temple was founded. There is also an anecdote that when Enryaku-ji Temple's lamp went out due to an attack by Oda Nobunaga, the fire was shared from Risshaku-ji Temple instead

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Statues of Matsuo Basho and his disciple Kawai Sora, donated by a family of a famous Yamagata company

Slightly west of the main hall, near the Nenbutsu Hall,Matsuo Basho, who accompanied him on his journeyKawaiyou will find statues of

in Yamagata that is famous for manufacturing and selling bean snacksbasedwere donated by Denroku and Denshiro Suzuki of Denroku, a company

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Chikara konnyaku, a Yamadera specialty near the temple gate

After climbing for a while and reaching the temple gate, you'll findthe famous Chikara Konnyaku (power konjac). It's sold in a large pot.

There are three balls of konnyaku on a skewer, and the soy sauce gives it a comforting taste that reminds you of your mother's cooking in the countryside. It's a great way to soothe the fatigue of mountain climbing, so many tourists stop here to take a break

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"The quietness of the cicadas' voices penetrating the rocks" Semizuka

After taking a breather and continuing up the mountain, you will come to Semizuka, the place where Matsuo Basho wrote his famous haiku

The famous haiku"Silence—the cicada's cry seeps into the rocks,", is said to have been written on a strip of paper and buried on May 27, 1689 (July 13, 1689 in the Gregorian calendar), and a stone mound was erected at this spot.

Perhaps as a result of this influence,"The Cicadas of Yamadera Temple"by the Ministry of the Environmentone of the "100 Soundscapes of Japan", and the area around this cicada mound is said to be an excellent spot to hear the cicadas' voices.

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Niomon Gate, the midpoint of the approach to the shrine

The gate was rebuilt in 1848 (Kaei 1) and has a gabled roof covered with copper sheets

On either side of the gate are statues of Nio guardians, whichUnkei,are said to be the work of disciples of

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The Godaido Hall, a spectacular view spot at Risshakuji Temple

Here, we take a slight detour to the left, where there is a road leading off. At the end of the road are the Kaisan-do and Nokyo-do halls, and the scenery around here is often photographed as a mountain temple landscape

the remains of Jikaku Daishi Ennin are buried in a cave at the foot of the cliff beneath the founder's hall. The small red hall is the sutra hall where copied sutras are offered, and it is said to be the oldest building on the temple grounds.

There is a path that continues further in, and if you go up it"Godai-do"you will find

It's like an open observation space, with a magnificent panoramic view unfolding before your eyes. If you come in spring, you can have the rare experience of looking down at the cherry blossoms. Looking down, you can't help but think, "I've climbed so far."

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Okunoin, the end point of the mountain path

After finishing our detour and returning to the main path, we continued our ascent and finally, "Okunoin."arrived at

The inner sanctuaryofficially called Nyohōdō, is a sutra copying hall using ink and brushes, rebuilt in 1872. The principal images enshrined there are statues of Shakyamuni Buddha and Many Treasures Buddha, which are said to have been carried by Jikaku Daishi Ennin while he was training in China. The older hall on the right is Nyohōdō, while the Great Buddha Hall on the left houses a5 meters tall, standing

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Hidden spot: Urayamaji Temple (Minenoura)

If you pass the trailhead to Yamadera Temple and continue further east, you will"Ura-Yamadera" (Back Mountain Temple),find"Mine-no-ura,"and it is dotted with many hidden tourist spots, including the Senjuin Kannon (gateway), the Tarumi Ruins, the site of a Shugendo training ground, and Eboshi Rock.

The main attraction is the Tarumi Ruins, a rocky area with honeycomb-shaped holes formed by the erosion of tuff

Further inside,"Ennin's Lodging Site," where the aforementioned Jikaku Daishi Ennin is said to have conceived the idea for Yamadera Temple. Due to its appearance, it has recently become popular on social media, and the number of tourists has increased. It is a hidden tourist spot in Yamadera Temple with a mystical atmosphere.

However, this is a fully-fledged mountain trail, so you will need to bring some preparations, such as comfortable walking shoes

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summary

In addition to Risshakuji Temple, there are four other temples along the mountain path called Shosoin, Konjoin, Chuseiin, and Kazoin. While climbing the 1,050 steps, you can enjoy history, nature, spectacular views, the delicious taste of chikara konnyaku, and the sense of accomplishment at the top - it's hard to find a spot where you can experience so many things all at once. This is a tourist spot that you definitely want to stop by when you visit Yamagata Prefecture

Risshakuji Temple <Information>

• Name: Mt. Hoju Risshakuji Temple
• Address: 4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, 999-3301
• Phone number: 023-695-2002
• Official URL:http://www.rissyakuji.jp/

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