Yama-dera, Buddhist temple at mountainside in Yamagata, Japan.
Yama-dera is a Buddhist temple complex on the slope of a forested mountain in Yamagata, made up of several buildings connected by long stone staircases. The grounds extend across different levels with prayer halls, viewpoints and small shrines scattered among rocks and trees.
The temple was founded in 860 by Ennin, a Buddhist monk, after his return from China. It developed as a branch of the Tendai sect from Enryaku-ji near Kyoto and remained a center for meditation and prayer over the centuries.
The name translates directly to mountain temple and refers to the complex perched in dense forest above the valley. Visitors see small statues and stone lanterns placed everywhere along the steps by pilgrims and locals as signs of devotion.
Reaching the upper temple area requires climbing more than 1,000 stone steps, which can vary in steepness and evenness. The grounds remain open year-round, and the route offers several resting points with views over the valley.
Archaeologists discovered human remains and fragments of wooden statues from the Heian period inside a cave on the temple grounds. These finds are attributed to founder Ennin and testify to the long spiritual tradition of the site.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
