Temples and Shrines in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan

Yokoku-ji

Yamagata

Opens in 46 min

Goshuin

Yōkokuji, known as Yanagidani Kannon, is a Buddhist temple in Nagaokakyo, Kyoto. Famous for its elevenfaced ThousandArmed Kannon, scenic Jodoen garden, Kamishoin study, and hydrangea displays, it attracts visitors seeking seasonal beauty and historic temple...

Why you should go

Arrive before 9 AM opening or visit on a weekday to beat the crowds, especially during June's hydrangea season and autumn foliage weeks when lines for photos can exceed an hour.
Go in June for Hydrangea Week or in autumn foliage weeks for seasonal decor like flower-filled wash basins and lit umbrellas. Expect bigger crowds and longer waits at photo spots. For quiet, visit in winter or early spring.
If driving, use the free fourth parking lot even though it's a short walk away rather than paying 500-700 yen for closer spots. The walk doubles as a pleasant approach to the temple and saves money during a long visit.

Otaru Tenguyama Jinja

1 Goshuin

A Shinto shrine on Mt. Tengu in Otaru, Hokkaido, near the ropeway summit. It is a small mountaintop shrine linked to Sarutahiko worship and a scenic stop for visitors enjoying panoramic views over Otaru Port and Ishikari Bay.

Why you should go

Locate and rub the nose of the Tengu statue (called 'Hanade Tengu-san') near the shrine, as this is a popular wish-granting ritual specific to this location.
Arrive at the shrine via the ropeway early in the morning or on weekdays to experience the mountaintop shrine in relative solitude, as most visitors come for the daytime views and night scenery rather than the spiritual site itself.
Take photos of the illuminated torii gates and shrine approach at night, as the lighting creates a notably different and more atmospheric scene than daytime visits.

2 Chome Tenguyama, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0012, JapanWebsite +81 134-33-7381

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Shrine

Risshaku-ji

Yamagata

Open now

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

Poet Matsuo Bashō visited in 1689 and composed his famous haiku here, helping make Yamadera renowned across Japan. His visit turned this mountain temple into a literary pilgrimage site.
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.

4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata, 999-3301, JapanWebsite +81236952002

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Temple

Dewa Sanzan Jinja

Tsuruoka, Yamagata

Goshuin

Dewa Sanzan Jinja on Mount Haguro in Tsuruoka, Yamagata, is one of the Three Mountains of Dewa and a major Shinto sacred site. It is known for its mountain setting, pilgrimage tradition, and historic worship connected to the broader Dewa Sanzan region.

Why you should go

During the Edo period, 336 temple lodgings (shukubo) operated on Mount Haguro to house pilgrims. Today, visitors can still experience traditional temple stays at the remaining Saikan lodging.
Dewa Sanzan Jinja stands on Mount Haguro in Tsuruoka, Yamagata, and is one of the Three Mountains of Dewa.
The Three Mountains of Dewa represent past, present, and future. Mount Haguro symbolizes the present, making it a spiritual journey through time itself for pilgrims who visit all three peaks.

Haguroyama-33 Haguromachi Touge, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0211, JapanWebsite +81 235-62-2355

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Road leading to Dewa Sanzan Jinja with a large red torii gate, cars, flags, and forested hills under a clear blue sky.

Shrine

Yamagata Prefecture

Cities & Wards

Yamagata

Tsuruoka

Top places to visit in Yamagata Prefecture

Yokoku-ji

Why you should go

Yamagata Prefecture throughout the year

Otaru Tenguyama Jinja

Why you should go

Risshaku-ji

Why you should go

Dewa Sanzan Jinja

Why you should go

Cities & Wards

Yamagata

Tsuruoka

Top places to visit in Yamagata Prefecture

Yokoku-ji

Why you should go

Yamagata Prefecture throughout the year

Explore More Prefectures

Otaru Tenguyama Jinja

Why you should go

Risshaku-ji

Why you should go

Dewa Sanzan Jinja

Why you should go