A Day to Enjoy the Autumn Leaves around “Yamadera” Surrounded by Beautiful Woodland Near the Village

Known as “Yamadera” (山寺), ‘Hojusan Risshakuji Temple’ (宝珠山立石寺) has a history of over 1,100 years and makes its visitors experience a mystic atmosphere. As you climb up on the 1,015 stone steps while deep-breathing in the scent of the forest, you’ll be welcomed by a magnificent view of the combination of the temple that looks floating in the air and the lush mountains around it. Especially in between late October and early November, since the autumn leaves make the scenery very special, it would be the best time of year to visit. Let’s look at the spots where you can appreciate the autumn leaves in the area around “Yamadera”.

1,015 stone steps leading you to “Yamadera” where Matsuo Basho had admired its serenity and purity in his famous haiku

At “Yamadera”, a temple and a mountain of Tendai sect (天台宗), opened and founded in 860 by Jikaku Daishi (慈覚大師 or 円仁, 794 – 864) at the request of Emperor Seiwa (清和天皇, 850 – 881), you can truly feel the nature with all your senses in every season you visit. The temple is also widely known as the set where Matsuo Basho (松尾芭蕉, 1644 – 1694) composed the famous Haiku (閑さや岩にしみ入る蝉の声, Shizukesa ya, iwa ni shimiiru, semi no koe) in which he’d admired and appreciated the serenity and purity of the temple by saying that even the buzz of cicadas is absorbed into the rocks and stones. The common itinerary, climbing up from the foot of the mountain to ‘Godaido’ (五大堂) and going down, takes about one and a half hours. Even at ‘Niomon Gate’ (仁王門) which is only around 20 minutes away from the foot, you can enjoy the autumn leaves in beautiful colors. Since there are many highlights that you want to appreciate carefully, such as the secret Buddha of Yakushi Nyorai (薬師如来坐像) from the Heian period, and the Eternal Flame (根本中堂不滅の灯) burning continuously for over a millennium worshipping Yakushi Nyorai (薬師如来) at ‘Komponchudo Hall’ (根本中堂), make sure to have plenty of time when visiting. Before you visit, make sure to wear casual clothes and comfortable shoes. In addition, don’t forget to bring beverages to hydrate yourself and towels.

Opening Hours	8:00AM – 5:00PM
Admission	Upper Area (山門・奥之院) 300 yen Treasure House (宝物殿) 200 yen Komponchudo (根本中堂内陣) 200 yen
Address	4495-15 Yamadera, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Access	Yamagata Nanokamachi Washington Hotel and Yamagata Eki Nishiguchi Washington Hotel: A 4-minute walk from Yamadera Station which is 3 stations away from Yamagata Station on the JR Senzan Line
URL	https://www.visityamagata.jp/en/explore-yamadera-en/

“Godaido” where you can overlook the scenery of Yamadera

On the precincts of ‘Risshakuji’ (立石寺), whom most visitors stop by at the end of the hiking route of ‘Yamadera’, there is “Godaido” (五大堂) that offers you a spectacular overlook. “Godaido” is regarded as a Dojo (training hall, 道場) dedicated to the Five Wisdom Kings (五大明王) who are said to be guarding the temple, and is built sticking out over a cliff like Kiyomizu-Dera Temple in Kyoto and Ishiyamadera Temple in Shiga. The inside of “Godaido” designed like a Noh (a form of traditional Japanese dance-drama, 能) stage is widely opened on three sides, so that you can fully enjoy the beautiful view of the rural landscape without anything to hinder. No matter when you visit, it gives you spectacular scenery, however, the mountains are dyed with the brightly colored autumn leaves in late October. At night from late October to early November, the temple and the mountain are lit up, and you can enjoy a mystical scenery that’s way different from that during the daytime. Don’t miss the unique atmosphere of the evening of the old temple like an illusion.

Opening Hours	8:00AM – 5:00PM *Lighting up: 24th October to 7th November
Address	4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Access	Yamagata Nanokamachi Washington Hotel and Yamagata Eki Nishiguchi Washington Hotel: A 6-minute walk from Yamadera Station which is 3 stations away from Yamagata Station on the JR Senzan Line
URL	https://www.visityamagata.jp/en/explore-yamadera-en/

Enjoy Yamagata’s delicacies at “Mitoya”

Getting tired by hiking in the mountains? Then make a stop by and take a break at “Mitoya” (美登屋) which is a 2-minute walk away from the entrance to Komponchudo Hall. This is a restaurant where you can enjoy local delicacies while hearing the murmuring of the Tachiya River running through Yamadera. When in the season of the autumn leaves, you can also enjoy the overwhelming view of them through the windows. The signature of the restaurant is ‘Nihachi Soba’ (Soba noodles made from 80% buckwheat flour and 20% wheat flour, 二八そば) made with carefully selected buckwheat flour harvested and milled domestically that is really particular about its rich aroma and crispy texture. The flavorful freshly made Soba can be enjoyed not only simply as it is but also with Yamagata’s summertime signature dish ‘Dashi’ (a refreshing mixture of chopped vegetables and herbs, だし) and with tempura. If it’s in autumn, don’t forget to try the boiled seasonal Yamagata chrysanthemum ‘Mottenohoka’ (ほってのほか) as well. If you feel like a light snack instead of a meal, how about ‘Hojukko’ (宝珠っ子), a kind of Oyaki (Japanese traditional dumpling mainly with vegetable, おやき) with simmered green vegetable pickle, or ‘Zunda Mochi’ (mochi coated with sweetened mashed edamame, ずんだ餅) cooked with locally harvested edamame?

Opening Hours	April to November 10:30AM – 4:00PM / December to March 11:00AM – 3:00PM / Irregular Holiday
Address	4494-5 Yamadera, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Access	Yamagata Nanokamachi Washington Hotel and Yamagata Eki Nishiguchi Washington Hotel: A 4-minute walk from Yamadera Station which is 3 stations away from Yamagata Station on the JR Senzan Line
URL	https://tabelog.com/en/yamagata/A0601/A060101/6000481/