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HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Guided Tour of Yamadera’s Inner Sanctuary
Take a tour with the Yamaderans and learn about the less well-known aspects of this fascinating mountain temple complex
Tohoku Tourism Promotion Organization
Hoshuzan Risshakuji Temple, commonly known as Yamadera, is a place of ascetic practice and faith set in the mountains northeast of Yamagata City. This tour through the strange rocks and bizarre stones to the inner sanctuary at the top of the temple complex is led by a member of the Yamaderans, a team of foreign-language guides who love Yamadera.
The guide will tell you about the multifaceted charms of Yamadera, from its natural environment to its history, culture, and beliefs, along with episodes known only to the locals. Tour participants can enjoy the beauty of the four seasons and meet the residents and animals of Yamadera.
After visiting the inner sanctuary, or Okuno-in, at the top of a stairway with more than 1,000 steps and enjoying the spectacular view, you can bid farewell to the guide and descend the mountain at your own pace, then shop at local Yamadera stores using a special discount coupon given to tour participants.
How to get there
From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Sendai Station (about 1 hour and 20 minutes). From there, take the JR Senzan Line to Yamadera Station (about 20 minutes) and walk 5 minutes from Yamadera Station to the meeting place.
4439 Yamadera, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata-ken
