10 Sacred & Religious Sites in Yamagata That You Shouldn't Miss

October 5, 2021 Velvet Mowry

Yamagata is the capital city of Yamagata Prefecture located in the Tōhoku region of northern Japan. As of October 2015, the city had an estimated population of 252,632, and a population density of 663 persons per km².
Restaurants in Yamagata

1. Risshaku-ji Temple

4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata 999-3301 Yamagata Prefecture +81 23-695-2843 http://www.rissyakuji.jp/
Excellent
52%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 891 reviews

Risshaku-ji Temple

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.

2. Yamadera Senju-in Temple

4753 Yamadera, Yamagata 999-3301 Yamagata Prefecture +81 23-695-2845 http://www.kankou.yamagata.yamagata.jp/db/cgi-bin/search/search.cgi?panel=detail&d01=1013826596296&c=10
Excellent
50%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12 reviews

Yamadera Senju-in Temple

Reviewed By DesmondLim - Singapore, Singapore

It’s took about 20mins to reach Yamadera Station from Yamagata Station. There is a huge map guide to the temple just right outside the station. There are 4 entrances into the temple after crossing a scenic bridge, and need to pay a small fee (JPY300 if remembered correctly) to walk up to top of mountain. The walk up was a little challenging but achievable, just take it slow and easy. We walked thru the forest covered with tall trees, I was totally immersed in the greenery. As we went higher to the top, the surrounding town and mountains emerge from distance, the view was stunning. There is limited toilet up at the top, and there is no cafeteria. Remember to bring enough water along before the walk. It’s a must visit at Yamagata. Please give me a thumbs up if you find the review useful, drop me a message if need more info. Thanks

3. Deshio Monjudo

6048 Murakizawa, Yamagata 990-2371 Yamagata Prefecture +81 23-643-2747
Excellent
10%
Good
70%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 10 reviews

Deshio Monjudo

4. Jikomyo-in

1-4-12 Nanukamachi, Yamagata 990-0042 Yamagata Prefecture +81 23-622-2228
Excellent
33%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
33%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 3 reviews

Jikomyo-in

5. Mutsukunugi Hachimangu

1-3-5 Teppocho, Yamagata 990-2492 Yamagata Prefecture http://www.u-6kunugi.com/mutsukunugi/index.html
Excellent
0%
Good
83%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 6 reviews

Mutsukunugi Hachimangu

6. Jiko-ji Temple

1-12-21 Miyamachi, Yamagata 990-0057 Yamagata Prefecture +81 23-622-7510
Excellent
0%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
50%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 2 reviews

Jiko-ji Temple

7. Sugawa Onsen Shrine

811-6 Zaoonsen, Yamagata 990-2301 Yamagata Prefecture http://yamagata-jinjyacho.or.jp/wp/jinjya/%E9%85%A2%E5%B7%9D%E6%B8%A9%E6%B3%89%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE
Excellent
5%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
50%
Poor
0%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 20 reviews

Sugawa Onsen Shrine

8. Hoko-in

2-157 Yokamachi, Yamagata 990-0037 Yamagata Prefecture +81 23-622-8327
Excellent
33%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
67%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 3 reviews

Hoko-in

9. Yamagataken Gokoku Shrine

2-8-75 Yakushimachi, Yamagata 990-0053 Yamagata Prefecture +81 23-631-5086 http://yamagataken-gokokujinja.jp/
Excellent
13%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
50%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 8 reviews

Yamagataken Gokoku Shrine

10. Dewa Kokubun-ji Yakushi-do

2-8-88 Yakushimachi, Yamagata 990-0053 Yamagata Prefecture +81 23-624-4111
Excellent
0%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
60%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 10 reviews

Dewa Kokubun-ji Yakushi-do

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