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Location: Yamagata
Opens at: Opens 08:00
Goshuin: Goshuin
Risshakuji, also called Yamadera, is a Buddhist temple complex northeast of Yamagata in Yamagata Prefecture. Founded in 860 by the Tendai monk Ennin, it grew on steep, wooded cliffs. It’s a National Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty in Zaō...
Why you should go
- The temple was founded in 860 CE by Ennin, making it over 1,160 years old. It houses a hidden hibutsu statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha) that is rarely shown to the public.
- You must climb exactly 1,015 stone steps through ancient cedar forests to reach the summit. The climb is considered a meditative journey that purifies the soul with each step.
- The temple buildings cling dramatically to steep rocky cliffs within Zaō Quasi-National Park. It's designated both a National Historic Site and a Place of Scenic Beauty for its unique setting.
