First of all. If it is winter, get GOOD SNOW SHOES. The path is extremely slippery to the extent you cannot stand straight if you wear normal shoes. Stairs are non existent and you will have to crawl up holding the rails. Unless you have good shoes. Coming down is bad no matter what. Just slide your way down without losing control. The free shoes they give at the base are useless. Both in terms of heat protection & grip. The view from the side temple before the main area is amazing. The main temple is pretty meh. The side temple has a overlook area looking into the valley. It is stunning. Is it worth the death climb? Who knows. It was fun.

I've always wanted to visit Yamadera, the thousand-year-old mountain temple 350 kilometers (220 miles) from Tokyo. Basho, one of Japan's most famous haiku poets, even wrote about it. Climbing the 1,015 stone steps to the summit was worth it for the spectacular views. I don't know if I'll ever have the chance to visit again, but I'm so glad I did.

This picturesque temple has become one of my favorite locations in Japan. The journey up the mountain requires you to climbs countless stairs but the statues, carvings, shrines, and nature that surround you make the impending cardiovascular explosion worth every step. Once you reach the top you are treated to an astonishingly beautiful view of the valley. I went in November and the trees were all showing their autumn splendor. If you are able to make the hour long train ride from Sendai, then you should seize the opportunity to make a lasting memory at this magical temple.

Check for snowfall/snow accumulation before coming in winter. Without snow, it's a lot less impressive with all the dead trees, even on a sunny day. The steps are well defined and easy to walk on (about 1000+!)

Such a beautiful temple. About 30 minutes walk from Yamadera Station there are a lot of things to love about this place. The postcard views or the historical sites on the way up. If you're into hikes or seeing amazing mountain view this place is for you! My pictures were taken in end of March, there was a but of sludge snow still but not too much. This place doesn't get too busy but I like to avoid people so going early would be the best bet if you wanted the views to yourself. We also saw when you get to the top there are a lot of business cards and some random things like a dragon ball z gohan card haha. It was very enjoyable.

It was a good, tiring and long climb. You are greeted with the stairs almost immediately. The view after the climb was beautiful and worth the walk. You may see the cat at the ticket counter.

Amazing place, I really recommend it, I was lucky to have a sunny day, but it was really cold. You have 1500 steps to go up crossing the forest, and then you will arrive in so many beautiful Temples and with an amazing view. The Shrine is unique.

This has been on my list for places I want to visit and it did not disappoint. It’s an hour away by train from Sendai, very convenient to get to. You can see the temple from the station. They say it takes 2 hours round trip for you to ascend and descend the steps but it only took us an hour. We arrived there early at around 8:15, the path is filled with statues carved trees small temples. I suggest going early since a lot of people were climbing as the morning grew late. Oh and get some ice cream at the shops! They’re pretty good. They have local flavors.

Love this place! It was snowing but still possible to climb up the stairs to the top. Obviously need to be careful as steps could be slippery, but totally worth it for the view.

This is truly and amazing and unique experience. It’s not just one temple but a group of temples. Not to difficult to get to the top. From the train station it is an easy walk. ¥300 to enter. Very well kept and the views from the top are amazing. Set aside at least two hours to check out the whole complex.

The historic Rissyakuji temple complex atop of a mountain, with glorious views across the valley below. Wooden structures well trodden by the plentiful tourists, yet well maintained by the staff. Make a small donation and say a small prayer at the numerous shrines along the route.

Don't be intimitated about the 1100 steps of stairs. Take your time and you will be rewarded. People say this is one of the most beautiful place to visit and experience in Japan, yet it is so underappreciated. Perhaps it is a little hard getting to without a car, but the flip side is that it's not too crowded. Take your time, take frequent stops along the way, breath in the fresh air, enjoy and meditate on whatever spiritual journey that comes to you - it's a hugely and surprishgly rewarding experience. People say it normally takes 1.5 hours to go up to the top and back down. I took a full 4 hours - it was right after a heavy rain so the air was so fresh and sweet. A few of the cherry trees were blooming. It was quite magical. Oh, highly recommend taking a couple of hiking sticks with you. It really helped my old knees going up and down those steps.

Sounds intimidating at first to have to climb 1000 steps. But, at a pace of our choice, the beautiful lush surroundings, the various temples all the way, all make it very easy to reach the top even under the heat, bring lots of water and a hat, it is very rewarding.

A fantastic place to visit in winter, with fewer visitors, you can enjoy the peacefulness of the place. Parking is a but wierd to figure out, but there are several spots most costing 500 yen. I recommend getting some cheap ice shoe covers. You can get a set on ebay for around 10-15 aud that give your shoes small studs. These greatly increase your grip.

Don’t go in winter unless you want to risk slipping and falling from the thousand stairs. The views were worth it though.

On a sunny and clear day the view from the top is fantastic. I suggest doing the climb on a nice spring or autumn day when it is not hot in human. I highly recommend parking near the very last entrance there is a lady who weighs you into her big parking lot down the hill and it only cost ¥300 for the day. She told me that there are over 1,000 stairs to the top. If you get tired along the way there are a few rest points along the way.

Absolutely stunning in the winter. The hike up is barely 30 mins, but slippery so hiking boots + crampons recommended.

Pleasant hike up the mountain, but not a lot of guidance on what things are if you don’t speak Japanese. Some choke points where only a small section of path had been cleared of ice, leading to big queues.

Beautiful venue to watch Autumn foliage. About 1,000 steps up to this temple on a mountain. Worth the visit if you are in Tohoku region. Don't forget to have some soba and soft cream while here.

Beautiful temple set atop a mountain. I’ve been now in winter and autumn and so far don’t think the scenery can disappoint. Please be respectful when you go. Too many noisy people running around screaming. This is a sacred place, be quiet and calm.

Such a beautiful temple in the hills of Yamadera, 100% worth the journey from Sendai as even the train ride had some stunning views. The hike up to the top was stunning and was quite easy (although someone was throwing up from exhaustion) and the view from the top was also amazing. Definitely recommend bringing a snack to reward yourself at the top as I did since it makes it so much better.

This place is absolutely beautiful. The entrance fee (very cheap, around 500 yen if i recall correctly) and the long, hard climb is incredibly worth it. The views of the mountains are spectacular, and the best time to go is during fall leaves time. Everyone else knows this, though, so it may be a bit busy. Unfortunately, it is completely inaccessible to those who can’t climb a lot of stairs.

8.3.24 many buildings are covered with plastic panels due to renovations, but still beautiful. The ice on the stairs was quite bad, we managed, but several older people fell. The couple that made it look effortless had those shoe spikes strapped on. 2 hours between train arrival and departure was the perfect amount of time for us

Very famous for its 1,000 steps staircase. Very tiring but the view from the top is gorgeous. Definitely a must go place if you are visiting Yamagata.

It will worth a try if you've never been here before or if you come here in autumn or winter. The landscape is beautiful when looking down from the top. I was here in the middle of summer. Climbing 1000 stairs in summer days is very terrible. It's good to try, but I won't come here twice!

A MUST visit in the winter. It was a Buddhist Monk escape. A temple in the mountains accessible only by climbing hundreds of slippery, steep steps. If you have ever played Skyrim, it felt like visiting the greybeards. An isolated mountain, a trek through a quiet forest, up the side of a blizzardy cliff face. It was amazing. There were temples and shrines at the bottom, but the must see ones were at the very top. Bring your common sense, grippy shoes and sense of wonder because this experience was well worth it. Except for the jerk at the entrance gate that told us it was closed but then proceeded to let other (non foreigner) in (we snuck in anyway). No tickets needed (literally, not just because we snuck in).

Difficult to go up in winter but the scenery is amazing.

So beautiful it was a really good hike as well😊 had so much fun I even bought a shirt lol

Hiking through the cedar forest to see the various shrines is fun and provides some great views of the area! A few spots were under construction when we visited, but you were still able to see most of the different sights. Be prepared for walking as you will need to go up many steps to reach the top!

Amazing temple and forest around. Historical place and looks very mystical early morning. During weekends here lots of visitors, but on weekdays you might see studet groups from schools. This is a well known place with many tourists. Other smaller temples hide in the forests around Yamagata.

So beautiful and peaceful temple , good experience to waking up the stairs not so difficult Stunning view at the top , while we were there it was snowing so so beautiful, highly recommended everyone if you are on the way to Yamagata ♥️🇯🇵

nice place to visit less than 1hr drive from Zai onsen area on 4.11.2023 temple built in 860 high up in the mountains with great view of the city need to climb 1015 steps there are some autumn foliage, colours. not peak yet unlike naruko gorge, many maple trees still green not turn yet a very delightful excursion 👍🏻 well worth the exercise lol!

It was generally fun to climb up. Throught at winter it is obviously cold there and not so vibrant colors.

Yamadera has earned its spot as one of my top destinations to date. Starting at the base of the mountain, the entrance to the temple complex can be accessed from the western or eastern side of the main bridge. A small fee is paid to enter whereas you will begin your 1000+ step climb to the plateau. The ascent itself provides numerous interesting views, keeping an eye out for the mountain caverns with tiny balconies which I wanted to explore! Persevere though and you will be greeted with numerous incredible views from the viewing platform, the walkways and Daibutsuden. It was brilliant, I felt like I was Nathan Drake (if only for a few hours). Only really requires half a day, so can be combined with Yamagata or the Nikka Distillery.

I really liked this temple. It’s a nice walk from the train station. Not too hard! Very beautiful along the way especially in the fall colours. The views from the top are very nice. 300 yen to enter

Beautiful in all seasons. You need good stamina since it has 1000+ steps. Go earlier to avoid the crowd. The temple opens at 8:00am.

Good place to visit for an easy hike and to appreciate nature. Depending on what season you go, you get different kinds of view. Shops and restaurants on the way to the starting point. 😄😄

It takes ~30 minutes to hike up the stairs very slowly with breaks, so it's a definitely on the easier side of moderate hikes at least in fall with better temperatures to keep cool. I would not come here in summer. The sweeping views were great at the top, and I saw a Japanese serow on my hike up! Fall foliage was already well past peak.

Beautiful temple on top of the hill in Yamagata. The access is super easy. Only a couple of minutes of walking from the station to the entrance. Only 20 minutes are required to reach the top. You will be rewarded with an amazing view of Yamagata city once you reach the top. Entrance fee of ~200 yen is required to enter.

Such stunning scenery! We went early in April and it was still snowing. Got here just before 8am where there is no one but just the locals. The climb was easy to the top and you're rewarded with an amazing view of Yamadera. Highly recommend coming here for a little stop, especially with a bit of snowfall in the morning.

Very slippery in winter, the stairs are icy. I would recommend to wear shoes fit for walking on ice. Beautiful fantastic views though!

yamadera temple is a scenic spot with the stone stairway of the approach surrounded by thick wooden bar and also with some strangely shaped stone and rock. its the best for those who like hiking. little bit challenging for those who don’t like walking or doing exercise but it all worth when you reach top coz the view from top is mind blowing.

On Cloudy and Snowing day 🌨 (Dec 2022) we were climbing Mt. Yamadera as a 1st time (1,015 steps), it's so wet and slip, so not easy to walk by then. Actually the top of the temple, it is a good place to see Yamadera Station for top view, but we cant see it clear as snowing. I hope to get back there soon. 😊