Autumn tourist season! Can you climb a mountain temple even if you lack exercise? ?

Hojuzan Risshakuji Temple is a Tendai sect temple located in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture.
This is a scenic spot that is famous nationwide as a mountain temple.

The spectacular view from there and the many temples that are known as power spots are places you should visit at least once in your life, but the most important temple is located in a mountain that lives up to its name, Yamadera.
Some people who lack exercise may shy away from it.

Therefore, in this article, the author, who lacks exercise, will work himself up to climb the mountain temple and report on the highlights.

Climb the 1050 steps!

The perfect number to express how tough Yamadera is is the 1050 steps.
As for how high this is, it's about the same as climbing a 42-story building.
These are mind-boggling numbers.

In the past, it was possible to take advantage of this height and use the super high-rise slide on the way home, but it was closed due to frequent incidents such as worshipers getting their butts burned due to the speed being too high. There is also.
You can see that not only is it high, but the angle is also harsh.

However, when I looked at the age of the visitors, I found that most of them were in their 60s or older, so I mustered up the courage to take on the challenge, thinking that I could somehow climb the mountain despite my lack of exercise.

Nemotoji main hall

The first place I visited when I started climbing was the main hall of Nemotoji Temple.
This is the main hall of Risshaku-ji Temple, where the Yakushi Nyorai statue, which is designated as a national important cultural property, is enshrined.

On the day of the event, there were a large number of worshipers lining up to receive a goshuin stamp.

It takes about 30 steps to get there, so there's still plenty of time.

trailhead

A short walk from the main hall, you will be greeted by the statues of Basho and Sora.
Matsuo Basho at Yamadera

The sound of cicadas that penetrates the silence and rocks

This is the statue that was erected in honor of this phrase.

After leaving the Basho statue and walking a little further, we finally reach the trailhead.
Once you hand over the admission fee here, the battle begins with just over 900 steps remaining!

Basho Monument / Haiku Monument

I think I went up 400 steps.
The area that looks like a landing spreads out, and a place where you can take a breather appears.

There is also a large bench, so you can sit there and take a break.
I'm really tired.

As I sat and looked around, I saw the ``Basho Monument/Haibun Monument''.
There are texts and haiku poems written about Risshokuji Temple on Oku-no-Hosomichi, but unfortunately they are a bit difficult to read.

After resting for 5 minutes, my physical strength recovered, so it was time to leave.

Did you see the goal?

After climbing up from the rest area for a while, a large gate came into view.

This might be the goal!
? 1050 steps is surprisingly not that big of a deal!

I was excited and quickened my pace.

but…

The real thing is yet to come!
In fact, the stormy rush of stairs started from here.

By the way, this is Niomon.
It has 654 steps.
That means there is still over 30% left.

But let's do our best!

Visit by Pinko car

At the end of the climb was Kinjo-in Temple, whose principal image is Enmei Jizo Bodhisattva.
The visit here is a little different,

The idea is to drive this car around once.
The key is to turn it slowly.

This is called the Pinkoro Kuruma and represents the jewels and shakujo that are the possessions of Enmei Jizo Bodhisattva.

Stay healthy and stay strong forever

When the time finally comes, I will

Please pray for your family, friends, and yourself while remembering the life-enhancing Jizo Bodhisattva.

Obinzuru-sama appears!

After climbing for a while, I reached the 984th step.
At this point, the area suddenly opens up.

What was there was a neutral temple and a mysterious bronze statue.

This Buddha statue is called ``Obinzuru-sama.''
Legend has it that if you stroke the statue, you will have longevity.

Another thing that surprised me was this.

Where the post was.

It seems that mail is collected once a day.
It's really tiring for the postman to go up and down these stairs every day!
Good luck!

Arrived at Okunoin!

After leaving Chushoin and climbing a few stairs, we finally arrived at the top of Yamadera!

This is Okunoin!

We finally made it to the top!
I'm also happy that I still have quite a bit of strength left.
It's surprisingly possible to do even with a lack of exercise!

I have visited various places since I started climbing, but this is my last visit.
I bowed my head in deep emotion and left the inner temple.

There are still many things to see! Enjoy Yamadera till the end!

However, Yamadera still has a lot to offer.
If you have the energy left, check them all out.

Kegon-in Temple

There is a side street in front of Okuno-in Temple, and if you follow it for a while, you will arrive at Kegon-in Temple.
Here you can find the ``Mie-sei Koto'', which is an important cultural property of the country.

It's a little hard to see in the photo, but there is a small, elaborately crafted three-storied pagoda.

By the way, the scenery you can see from here is also something to see, so don't forget to check it out!

Kaizando

Kaizan-do is the hall of Jikaku Daishi, who founded Risshokuji Temple.

Speaking of photos of Yamadera, these are Kaizando and Nokyodo.
Take the best photos with your camera and go home to brag to your friends that you went to Yamadera!

It's okay to lack exercise!

I tried to climb Yamadera because I don't have enough exercise, but I was able to climb it safely!
I was feeling exhausted by the middle, but the relief I felt when I saw the scenery swept away my fatigue, and the descent went smoothly, and all that remained in my body was comfort.

I was able to enjoy myself even though I lacked exercise.

Of course my muscles were sore the next day (sweat)

Why not try climbing instead of giving up just because you don't have enough exercise?

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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