Let's fully enjoy Tateishokuji Temple (Yamadera), one of Yamagata's leading sightseeing spots!

manmaru726
2016.11.30
Last updated: 2023.07.22

table of contents

1 What is Yamadera?
2 Yamadera is a power spot!
3 You can taste it at Yamadera! Delicious gourmet!
4 The autumn leaves are spectacular!
- 4.1 INFORMATION

Yamadera, commonly known as Yamadera, located in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, is one of the prefecture's leading tourist spots.
Climb the stone steps to reach Risshakuji Temple at the top. The view you see after reaching the top is truly spectacular! It is a popular spot that is constantly visited by tourists.

What is Yamadera?

Yamadera is a common name, but the correct name is ``Hojuzan Risshakuji'', which is a temple of the Tendai sect. Risshakuji Temple is said to have been founded by Jikaku Daishi during the Heian period.

It is a historic temple where Matsuo Basho is said to have visited this place and read the famous phrase, ``The silence and the voice of the cicadas that penetrate the rocks.''

To visit Risshakuji Temple at the top, you must first climb 1015 stone steps.
Stone steps starting from the trailhead. It is believed that by climbing up the stone steps of Yamadera, earthly desires will disappear. We will introduce the points to enjoy the historic temple "Yamadera".

Yamadera is a power spot!

In fact, Yamadera is known as a power spot.
It is also known as the temple of ``insulation,'' and many people visit the temple to seek divine blessings and to ``break bad relationships and forge good ones.''

The first thing you'll see when you start climbing the trailhead is
the main hall of Risshakuji Temple, called Nehonji Chudo. The Yakushi Nyorai statue, which has been designated as a national important cultural property, is enshrined here. It is only opened once every 50 years, and the Yakushi Nyorai statue is said to have the benefit of ``protecting people from evildoing.'' It has long been believed that if you form a bond there, you will cut off bad relationships and find good ones, leading to happiness and improving your life.

Among the mountain temples, the one that is said to have the most power is "Kazoin".

A three-storied pagoda, designated as a national important cultural property, is kept inside Kazo-in Temple, and is enshrined in a shrine in Iwama on the right side of the temple.

It is the smallest three-storied pagoda in the world and is made using the same process as other pagodas.
These two places are said to have the most power among the mountain temples, so be sure to visit them.

You can taste it at Yamadera! Delicious gourmet!

How about some tamakon for a break during your walk? You will want to eat the flavored tama konnyaku.

On the way to the top, there are several places where you can sit and rest, so you can take a break and spend some time enjoying nature.
In addition to tamakon, Dadacha mochi is also popular!
Dadacha mochi is a rice cake filled with bean paste made from fragrant Dadacha beans from Yamagata. Dadacha beans have a very nice aroma and are a popular dish!

Speaking of Yamagata Prefecture, it is famous for its soba noodles.
Of course, you can enjoy soba at a restaurant near Yamadera!

The most popular soba restaurant “Takifudo”

Yamagata is famous for its soba noodles.
At Takifudo, you can enjoy 100% cold soba noodles and Sarashina soba made with spring water from Yamadera.
Soba noodles that are chewy and easy to swallow are well-received.
Assorted tempura and cold meat soba are also popular menu items!

The autumn leaves are spectacular!

Yamadera transforms into a colorful landscape, especially during the fall foliage season.

It is said that many tourists come to worship for this view.
Among them, Godaido Hall, located halfway up Yamadera Temple, is a popular autumn foliage spot.

When you look down on Satoyama, a vivid landscape spreads out below you.
Godaido is a spot where you can enjoy the scenery regardless of the season. The best time to see the autumn leaves at Yamadera is from late October to early November every year.

Why not take a stroll around Yamadera Temple, which shows a variety of faces throughout the four seasons, wearing comfortable clothes and carrying a camera?