Temple Spots in Yamagata Area

Area

Yamagata
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
  Hokkaido
  
  Aomori
  
  Iwate
  
  Miyagi
  
  Akita
  
  Yamagata
  
  Fukushima
- Kanto
  
  Ibaraki
  
  Tochigi
  
  Gunma
  
  Saitama
  
  Chiba
  
  Tokyo
  
  Kanagawa
- Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
  
  Niigata
  
  Toyama
  
  Ishikawa
  
  Fukui
  
  Yamanashi
  
  Nagano
- Tokai
  
  Gifu
  
  Shizuoka
  
  Aichi
  
  Mie
- Kinki
  
  Shiga
  
  Kyoto
  
  Osaka
  
  Hyogo
  
  Nara
  
  Wakayama
- Chugoku
  
  Tottori
  
  Shimane
  
  Okayama
  
  Hiroshima
  
  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
  Tokushima
  
  Kagawa
  
  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
  Saga
  
  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Temple

Hoshuyama Risshakuji Temple

4.5

903 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Yamagatashi Yamadera 4456-1

A temple of the Tendai sect, Hoshuyama Risshakuji is located across the Tachiya River from JR Yamadera Station on the Senzan Line. Normally called “Yamadera”, it was opened by Ennin in 860 by decree of Emperor Seiwa. Currently, it is designated a Zao Quasi-National Park, with 1,090,000 square meters green lot with about 30 towers—the most historic holy mountain in the Tohoku region. A famous haiku poet Matsuo Basho wrote “Shizukasa ya iwa ni shimiiru semi no koe (Such stillness / The cries of the cicadas / Sink into the rocks)” here. Its remnants remain as “semi-zuka,” and many poets like Mokichi Saito have poems inscribed here.

The pictures you find on the internet from this place looks better than the actual place. Most of the climb is just stairs with a few small statues along the way. Most of the path is covered in...
Honzan Jionji Temple

4.5

38 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Sagaeshi Jionji Cadastral 31

Honzan Jionji Temple is located in Jionji in the city of Sagae. It is said to have been founded in 746 by Baramon Sojo. During the Edo period (1615-1868) it controlled 18 villages and land that produced about 505,095 liters of rice, making it the most powerful temple in the Tohoku region. Even though its influence has shrunk in the present day, its former precincts have been designated a National Historic Site, and it contains many Important Cultural Properties, including its main building and collection of Buddhist statues, as well as Jionji Bugaku, a type of dance performed during the Issai Kyoe Festival, held on May 5 every year.

As a previous noted, visit the museum at the bottom of the hill for an overall understanding of this mountain complex going back well over a thousand years. There are artefacts, some explanations in...
Zenpoji Temple

4.5

30 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Tsuruokashi Shimogawa Sekine 100

This temple is located in Shimogawa-sekine, Tsuruoka City. Enshrining the dragon god, this shrine draws believers that work in the fishing industry who pray for safe navigation across seas. This expansive almost 20 hectare landscape houses many Buddhist buildings and the 500 Rakan Statuary Hall (a registered Tangible Cultural Property) built in 1855. Periodically various events are hosted for experiencing zen, such as the Sanzenkai, and the fellowship of zen, zen no tsudoi.

The temple has a long history that dates back more than 1000 years, but the existing buildings are about 150 years old, on average. Relatively speaking, they are of recent construction, as Japanese...
Kaikoji Temple

4.5

35 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Sakatashi Hiyoshichou 2-7-12

This is a temple near Hie Shrine in Hiyoshi-cho, Sakata City. This temple is said to have been built by the famous monk Kukai 1,200 year ago. This temple is the only temple in Japan to have enshrined the statues of the mummified bodies of the Venerable Chukai and Venerable Enmyokai, after one thousand days of ascetic pursuit.

Kaikoji temple just north of Sakata city centre is home to not just one, but two self-mummified monks. There is a display that shows some of the actual tools and garments the monks used during their...
Daishoji Temple (Kameoka Monju Temple)

4.0

17 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Higashiokitamaguntakahatamachi Kameoka 4028-1

This temple is in Kameoka, Takahata Town, Higashiokitama County. Its origin dates to 807 when a statue of the Bodhisattva Manjusri imported from China's Mt. Wutai was installed on imperial order. The image in the temple's Kameoka Manjusrido is counted among Japan's top three Manjusri statues. Many people pray there for scholastic achievement. During exam season, Exam Passing Rice blessed by the temple's head priest is sold in limited quantities at area shops and supermarkets around the prefecture.

日本三文殊の一つに数えられるのが亀岡文殊です。知恵をつかさどる文殊菩薩をまつっています。平安時代の大同2（807）年に当時の奈良東大寺住職が、中国五台山より伝来した文殊菩薩を、亀岡の地に移したのがはじまりと伝えられています。高くそびえ立つ杉の木が参道の入り口で、文殊堂へは、10〜15分ほど歩きます(登り坂)。古い石像がいくつもありました。こちらの文殊堂は、直江兼続公のゆかりの地でもある...
Jakushou-ji Temple on Mt. Reiryu

4.0

28 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Tendoushi Yamamoto 2205-1

Jakushou-ji Temple is a Tendai Buddhist temple located on the slopes of Mr. Reiyu in Tendo City. It is the first stop in the 33 Kannon Temples pilgrimage, and is also known as Jakushou Kannon Temple. According to tradition, the Temple was founded in 708 A.D. by the bodhisattva Gyoki, who saw a vision of 33 images of the Buddhist deity Kannon on Mt. Reiyu after being led to the site by the sound of a bell. Praying to Kannon at Jakushou-ji Temple is said to bring good luck with respect to love and marriage, and it is also said that visitors who ring the large “Enfuku” wind-bell in the Temple will be blessed with a happy partnership. The Temple’s Kannon Hall and its gilt-bronze round plaque bearing an image of Kannon have both been designated as Important Cultural Properties, as has a colored ita-e (painting on a wooden panel) depicting heavenly horses.

縁結びで有名なお寺です。縁結び祈願の絵馬がたくさんありました。雨が降っていましたが、なんだか荘厳な雰囲気で身が引き締まるような感覚になりました。またお遍路の1番所でこれからお遍路に回る予定の方がいらっしゃいました。たまたま聞けたのですが、おいずりの色が3種類あって、赤は両親が健在の方、青は片親しか生きていない人、白は両親がどちらともいない方、のようです。
Kasugasan Rinsenji Temple

3.5

27 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Yonezawa-shi Rinsenji 1-2-3

This temple is just a two-minute walk from either the Yamadaiseimon or the Nichumae bus stops, taking the Yonezawa city bus transit from the JR Yonezawa Station. This Jodo sect temple is the family temple of Yonezawa domain’s Uesugi dynasty and the Naoe Kanetsugu family. The temple was established when Uesugi Kagekatsu erected a large temple on this current site in 1617, The temple was modeled after the Rinsenji Temple in Takada, of Echigo (modern day Joetsu City, Niigata) from where Uesugi hailed. The current sanctum was rebuilt after it was consumed by fire in 1732. The graves of the companions of the Uesugi clan, including Uesugi’s wife, and Naoe Kanetsugu and his wife are on the premises.

こちらの庭園が《米沢三庭園》の一つであることを知り訪問しました。庭園そのものは山形市で鑑賞した[洗心庵]や[もみじ公園]と比較すると美しさにおいて相違を感じましたが米沢独特のお墓《万年塔（万年堂）》は非常に印象に残りました、初めて目にした形状だったので（米沢の方にとって普通なのかも知れませんが）。《直江兼続》が米沢の防衛や堤防の補強を考慮し発案したようですがこのような多機能...
Sasano Kannon-do (Hydrangea Temple)

4.0

5 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Yonezawa-shi Sasanohoncho 5686-5

This temple is about a 15-minute drive from the JR Yonezawa Station. This ancient Shingon Buzan sect temple is said to have been founded by Sakanoueno Tamuramaro and restored by the famous Hosso sect buddhist monk and saint, Tokuitsu in 806. It is said that both Date, and Uesugi were strong believers and visited the temple to pray to the Kanzeon bodhisattva with 1000 hands and eyes (not open to public viewing) three times a month. The current worship hall was reconstructed in 1843 and is a magnificent structure ornamented with engravings of elaborate dragons and phoenixes. Also called the hydrangea temple, in mid-July the grounds are covered with hydrangea blossoms.

子供のころ遊び場だったお観音様…人の少ない静かな境内だったが、現在は紫陽花寺として有名になっていることを知り、懐かしく訪れてみた。参道の様子は、変わっていましたが、山門から中は、昔のままの静かな佇まいのなかに紫陽花がきれいでした。ちょうどシーズンだったのでたくさんの人が訪れていました。大きな銀杏の木が印象に残っていたが、現在は無くお休み処などが設置されていました。お観音様のかやぶき屋根は、テレ...
Sokoji Temple

4.0

6 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Sakata-shi Sokojisawa 8

This temple is in Sokojisawa, Sakata City. This Zen temple was founded in 1384 by monk Getsuan Ryoen, and is the 12th temple on the Shonai 33 Temple Pilgrimage. Horaien, the garden on the temple grounds, is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty, and the Kinoko Sugi cedar planted along the pilgrimage route is over 300 years old, and is a prefecturally Natural Monument. They also offer activities like copying of Buddha pictures or sutras, and Zazen meditation.

総光寺の立派な山門に向かう参道にはきのこ杉という面白い形に剪定された杉が立ち並び見ごたえがあります。山門は１８１１年のもので200年もたっている歴史あるものです。本堂の裏には庭園もあり見どころ多い寺院です。
Yudonosan Sohonji Dainichibo

3.0

4 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Tsuruokashi Oami Nyudou 11

Yudonosan Sohonji Dainichibo is a temple located in Oaminyudo, in the city of Tsuruoka. It is a sacred site founded by Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon School of Buddhism, and he is said to have made the principal object of veneration. Since ancient times, the area has been considered a site of spiritual significance for those who attach sacred significance to mountains, and it also has deep connections with the Tokugawa clan. Visitors can see the mummy of Shinnyokai Shonin, who starved himself to death, and a standing sculpture in gilt bronze of the Buddha Shaka Nyorai, which the national government has designated an Important Cultural Property.

湯殿山、羽黒山に行く人、行った人にはおすすめできません。出羽三山に批判的な話が延々と続きます。とにかく話が長い。歴史や作家の批判やうちの寺はすごいという話ばかりです、何も得るものはありません。
Churenji Temple

4.0

1 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Tsuruokashi Oami Nakadai 92-1

This temple, just a 15-minute drive from the Shonai Asahi Interchange, is famous for being the setting for the literary work, Gassan, by Atsushi Mori who won the Akutagawa Prize. Said to be established as a place of prayer after Kobodaishi founded Mt. Yudono. It is a historic temple, which enshrines an image of Saint Tetsumonkai. The Shimekake cherry tree can be seen in blossom from early May, and is said to have been where Kobodaishi sat and burn goma sticks. This temple has been awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide for Japan.

湯殿山注蓮寺は、作家の森淳の文庫が有ります。ここ注蓮寺は即身仏が有って、お参りをすることが出来ます。この地は、豪雪地帯で建物の屋根まで雪が積もると言うことです。
Sanshin Gosaiden

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Tsuruoka-shi Haguromachi Hagurosan

Sanjin Gosaiden with its valuable thatched, wooden construction that still retains buildings dating from the Middle Ages, such as the Yamabushi (priest) quarters, was designated an important cultural property in 2000. The shrine has been built at the top of Mt. Haguro and is dedicated to the deities of the three mountains, Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan, and Mt. Yudono. The surrounding area is notable for the mountain temples built to conform to the natural landscape.
Stone Statues of the Sixteen Arhats

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Akumigunyuzamachi Fukura Nishidate

These are 16 statues of Buddha carved on a rock face along the Ushu Road in Nishidate, Fukura, Yuza Town. These statues were completed in 1868 by the high priest Kankai the 21st high priest of Fukura-kaizenji Temple for the purpose of offering prayers to those lost at sea and for marine safety. Grouped together with the 16 Rakan, are statues of Shakamuni and Monju, making a total of twenty-two. Being the largest site of this kind on the Japan Sea coast, it has been selected as 'one of the top 100 fishery and fishing village historic assets to be preserved for future generations.' Every year in late July the 16 Rakan Festival is held where the statues are beautifully lit up.
Sennindo (Togawa Shrine)

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Mogami-gun Tozawamura Furukuchi Yamauchi 3263

This shrine is located in Furukuchi, Tozawa Village, Mogami County. It was founded by Hitachibou Kaison, a retainer of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and has Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, the 12th Emperor of Japan, as its main enshrined deity. It is along the Mogami River, and is only accessible through the Yoshitsune Romance Sightseeing downstream course.
Teigetsusan Gatsuzoin Temple (Teigetsu Kannon)

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Mogami-gun Sakegawamura Niwazuki 2829

This temple is located along Prefectural Route 308 in Niwazuki, Sakegawa Village, Mogami County. When Sasaki Sadatsuna became the lord of Sakenobe Castle, the main statue of the Kannon, Bodhisattva of Mercy was enshrined in the castle. It is the 33rd stop of the “Mogami 33 Kannon Pilgrimage,” and also acts as an end point for the “Dewa Hundred Kannons” along with Shonai and Okitama.
Konpon Chudo

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Yamagata-shi Yamadera 4456-1

This temple hall is located on the grounds of Risshakuji Temple in Yamadera, Yamagata City. Built in 1356 by Shiba Kaneyori, the first lord of Yamagata Castle, the hall has now been designated a National Important Cultural Property. The main focus of the hall is a wooden stature of the pharmacist Nyorai, and is dedicated to Nikko Bosatsu, Gekko Badhisattva, the twelve zodiac animals, Bunji Bosatsu and Bishamonten.
Yamadera Homotsuden

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Yamagata-shi Yamadera 4456-1

This treasure hall is located on the grounds of Risshakuji Temple in Yamadera, Yamagata City. Within it you can find a “monument to the first year of the Tenyo era,” as well as other important Buddhist statues and items that are treasures of the temple. The “Denkyo Daishi statue” is considered as the oldest statue of Saicho in Japan.
Karamatsu Kannon-do Temple

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Yamagata-shi Shakado Kami Karamatsu 502

This temple is in Kamikaramatsu, Shakado, Yamagata City. This is the 5th temple on the Mogami 33 Kannon pilgrimage, and enshrines a Holy Land Kannon Bodhisattva statue said to be made by Kobo Daishi as the principal object of worship. It is unknown when it was founded. The Kannon-do hall is believed to date back to 1661, when the lord of Yamagata Castle, Matsudaira Tadahiro, had it built on a cliff face to copy Kiyomizu-dera Temple, but the current temple was rebuilt in the Showa period.
Kannon-ji Temple Kannon-do (Miyama Kannon)

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Nishiokitama-gun Shiratakamachi Miyama 3315-1

This temple is in Miyama, ShiratakaTown, Nishiokitama County. It isn't clear when it was founded. The principal object of worship is the Senju Kannon statue, made in the Heian period, and this is the eighth temple on the Okitama 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. The Kannon-do hall was built in the late Muromachi period, and is considered the oldest structure in the prefecture. It is a nationally registered Important Cultural Asset.
Tenyoji Temple Kannon-do

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Nishiokitama-gun Iidemachi Naka 1956-22

This temple is in Naka, Iide Town, Nishiokitama County. The principal object of worship is a statue of the Holy Kannon carved from a single Japanese Judas tree, and this is the fourth temple on the Okitama 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. The Kannon-do temple was built in the late Muromachi period, and legend says it was built in a single night by a temple carpenter from Hida. It's now a prefectural Important Cultural Property.

Yamagata

Okitama Area Murayama Area Mogami Area Shonai Area (North) Shonai Area (South)

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour Temple

Yamagata Areas

Although often overlooked, Yamagata prefecture by no means lacks appeal: the Yamadera temple trail through the mountains, deliciously tender Yonezawa wagyu, and over 100 steaming hot springs, most notably Zao Onsen, await visitors. When winter comes, the snowcapped peaks become dotted with skiers by day and onsen-goers by night, while summer brings the celebration of juicy Yamagata cherries.