Location: Yamagata Prefecture
Top Things to do in Yamagata Prefecture
Top Hotels in Yamagata Prefecture
Things to do in Yamagata Prefecture, Tohoku: The Best Sacred & Religious Sites
Yamagata Prefecture (山形県, Yamagata-ken) is a prefecture located in the Tōhoku region of Japan. Its capital is Yamagata.
Restaurants in Yamagata Prefecture
1. Kumano Taisha Shrine
2. Kaikoji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
3. Yudonosan Shrine
4. Ideha Shrine
5. Risshaku-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 891 reviews
Reviewed By JohnD209 - Leavenworth, United States
Yamadera means "mountain temples" and the mountainside has many small and a few large temples built in nooks and crannies along the way up to the mountain top. The hike up to the top and the area of Risshaku-ji is along a stone path with over 1000 steps. It takes about one hour to climb and 25 minutes to descend. The lower steps wind back and forth climbing through a Japanese cypress forest festooned with stone lanterns. About half-way up there is a traditional temple gate with two guardian statues. After you pass through this gate there are more buildings and more maple trees - making the climb sparkling when the maples are changing colours. Most professional pictures of the temple complex are taken in the fall when the reds and yellows are out or in the spring when the maples send forth their green leaves. As the complex opens up you will see several separate buildings. Head to the left to go to the Risshaku-ji Temple and the views of the train station and town through which you passed on the way to the base of the mountain. A must-see experience. After seeing the Risshaku-ji Temple, continue up a few more minutes to the main Senju-in Temple, which is a completely different looking temple that is used more for worship than for the views. It has some magnificant statuary in the foreyard.
