Risshaku-ji Temple, Yamagata

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Yamagata Prefecture’s representative landmark “Yamadera Temple” is a temple that has a long history called Mt. Hoshu “Risshaku-ji Temple”. Founding has an old history of 860 AD. There are 1,015 steps of stone steps along the mountainous terrain, which is full of expression, and it is also a training path where the annoyance disappears as you go one step further.
The Yamadera Temple is a place where people who want to walk in the soft light that pours from the green gap are in a place where they can not stop dying over time.
As you start climbing Yamadera Temple, you will see the main hall of the Risshaku-ji Temple. The “Konponchudo Hall”, which has been rebuilt and repaired, is the oldest beech wood building in Japan, and has been designated as a national important cultural property.
In the main hall with the statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Healing Buddha), who is the Principal image of Buddha, there is also the “ever-burning dharma lights” that continue from the time of Saicho. A light that has been protected beyond a number of hardships such as war has been on for more than 1,000 years.
If you go further, you will see Iwatoba where the posthumous Buddhist name is engraved on the rock surface and places where countless Sotoba is piled up. There is a legend that people who can see Buddha figure on a rock wall exposed to rain and shaved will be happy.
Godaido Hall is the point where you can see the best view of Yamadera Temple. Godai Myoo (the five great myoo) is enshrined and is said to be the place where Jikaku Daishi Ennin prayed for peace reigns over the land. From the back of the temple, which was built so as to protrude from the slope of the mountain, there is an unobstructed view.
The final point “Okunoin” of the stone stairway is the official name “Nyohodo Hall”, and it speaks Shaka Nyorai (Shakyamuni) and Taho-nyorai (prabhuta-ratnam) as principal objects.
In the “Statue of Great Buddha Hall” on the left side towards Okunoin, you can also visit the sitting statue of Amitabha, which is about 5 meters high.
The sense of accomplishment and excitement felt at the end of the stairway can only be tasted by those who actually walked. It may be interesting to visit to see what kind of thoughts come true.

Unique locations built to cling to the cliffs and their wonderful spectacular scenery

Hojusan Risshaku-ji Temple, which is built along the mountains of Yamagata City in Yamagata Prefecture. Today JR Senzan-sen Line is opened nearby, and there is convenience of transportation from Yamadera station within walking distance, so many visitors come. As is also the station name, Hojusan Risshaku-ji Temple is a so-called “Yamadera” (mountain temple), which may be more commonly recognized. The whole mountain looks like a temple, and the atmosphere such as “Yamadera” is wonderful.

Yamadera’s official name is Risshaku-ji Temple, a venerable temple that lasts more than a thousand years. This place has been collecting faith as a temple that separating bad relationships from long ago. Unique locations built to cling to the cliffs and their wonderful spectacular scenery are often taken up in magazines and television. Recently, its uniqueness became a topic, and it became widely known abroad also through SNS etc. It is now a popular spot for tourists from abroad.

Risshaku-ji temple, which became an official temple of Emperor Seiwa, was founded in AD 860 by Jikaku Daishi Ennin who completed the doctrine of Tendai Sect. It is also called “Yamadera” (mountain temple), and is the representative Holy Mountains of Tohoku district.

You can enjoy the atmosphere of four seasons

It is also known Basho Matsuo having written the following phrases here.
“Shizukasa ya, iwa ni shimiiru, semi no koe” (””How still it is here– Stinging into the stones, The locusts’ trill.”)

Here is blessed with a richness of nature, and you can enjoy the atmosphere of four seasons.

Heart-touching moment only the person who arrived at there can taste

It is said that you can be purified greed and dirt by climbing every one step of stair of the mountain. When you arrive at the top of the mountain, you can feel a heart-touching moment which only the person who arrived at there can taste.

Sacred atmosphere unique to an ancient temple

The round trip of the summit of the mountain from foot will take about 2 hours, if it is a slow pace. A fast person seems to go and come back in approximately one and a half hours.
It seems that the air which Basho felt is differed from very much since there are many tourists and they are not quiet, and the voice of locusts may not be heard, but a sacred atmosphere unique to an ancient temple can be experienced, and a brilliant view can also be enjoyed.

Information(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)

Name:	Risshaku-ji (Risshaku Temple)
Adresse:	Yamadera 4456-1 Yamagata-city, Yamagata 999-3301 Japan
Access:	JR Senzan-sen line "Yamadera-eki Station” (7 minutes walk)
Tel:	(+81) 23-695-2843
Price/Charge:	Mountain climbing fee 300 yen (Adult) 200 yen (Junior High School Students) 100 yen (4 years old or Older) Entrance fee to the Treasure Hall 200 yen (Adult : High School Students or Older) 100 yen (4 years old or Older) Entrance fee to the Konpon-chudo Hall 200 yen Please refer the official web page.
Official site:	http://www.rissyakuji.jp/