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Yama-Dera (Hōjusan Risshakuji Temple)

Climb 1015 Stone Steps to Reach the Top to Worship! A Temple Said to Cut Out Bad Relationships.

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This mountain temple, of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, is properly known as “Hōjusan Risshakuji Temple.”
It is a historical place, founded in 860 by Jikaku Daishi.
It is believed that, with each step you take up the 1015 stone steps, your worldly desires are purged. Furthermore, it has also been worshipped since ancient times as a temple that helps to cut out bad relationships and forge good bonds.

There are many buildings at the mountain’s summit, but the building at the beginning of the ascent, known as “Konponchuudo,” is a nationally designated cultural artifact. The large beechwood structure is said to be the oldest building in Japan.
Within the building is a wooden statue of the seated healing Buddha that has existed here for over 1000 years, allowing visitors to bask in the light of Buddhism.

It is said that the poet “Matsuo Basho” wrote his famous verse “shizukesa ya iwa ni shimi-iru semi no koe (deep silence; the shrill of cicadas seeps into rocks)” at this very temple, and there is a monument to this event called “Semi-zuka,” or “Cicada Mound,” to commemorate it along the way to the summit.
After climbing about 800 steps, visitors will come across Daibutsuden, where a golden statue of Amida Nyorai standing over 5 meters tall is enshrined, and the inner sanctuary.

The climb to the mountain’s summit takes from 40 minutes to an hour, but when you complete the climb you are greeted with a beautiful view and a feeling of refreshing accomplishment. The stunning view from “Godaigo” on the cliff is a particular must-see.

Highlights

  • As visitors must climb 1015 stone steps to reach the summit, be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
  • This is a famous temple where the poet Matsuo Basho wrote a famous verse.
  • ”Konpochuudo” has been designated as a nationally designated cultural artifact.
  • Take in a beautiful view from Godaigo along the cliff.

Photos

  • Konponchuudo

    Konponchuudo

  • View from Daibutsuden

    View from Daibutsuden

  • Godaigo

    Godaigo

  • Kaisando

    Kaisando

  • Oku-no-In

    Oku-no-In

  • Mountain temple during autumn

    Mountain temple during autumn

Reviews

10
  • C_huihsueh1101

    體驗苦行僧侶修行的道路。

  • 蔡粉絲

    冬天來山寺要穿上抓地力很好防滑的鞋,尤其是下山的時候,有很多人不注意就跌倒,有些路段需要拉著繩子走。

  • 尹清

    抱著慢慢爬的心態,隨著高度越高欣賞風景也不同,到山頂也才一個多小時根本不會累。

  • George Wu

    山寺像是苦行僧侶修煉的地方,想要抵達山頂必須靠兩條腿攀爬而上,過程很辛苦不過有美麗的景色相伴左右也不枉此行。

  • 珊莎

    山寺~顧名思義,真是佇立在山上的寺廟!

Details

Name in Japanese
山寺(宝珠山立石寺)
Postal Code
999-3301
Address
4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Tel
023-695-2843
Business Hours
8:00am-5:00pm
Closed
Open every day (Inner sanctum of Risshakuji closed during the winter)
Admission fee
300 yen
Access
6-minute walk from the JR Yamadera Station
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)