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Breathtaking cherry blossoms in Ka-jo Castle Park. The mountain
temple of Risshaku-ji boasts a 1,100-year history.
Yamagata City, located in the center of Yamagata Prefecture, is a
former castle town that has developed since the middle of the 15th century. In
Ka-jo Castle Park, noted for its cherry blossoms, are moats and stone walls
recalling scenes of the days when the castle was being built. Also found in the
city are the British Renaissance-style Bunsho-kan Hall, and various other
traditional western-style brick buildings, including the Yamagata
Kyoiku-shiryo-kan (Yamagata Educational Museum), designated as an Important
Cultural Property.
The area is host to many seasonal events, such as the Hanagasa-matsuri Festival
(Flower-Adorned Hat Festival) in summer, considered to be one of the four
greatest festivals held in the Tohoku region, and the Nihon-ichi-no-Imoni-kai
Festival (Japan's No.1 Taro and Beef Stew Party Festival) in fall.
Risshaku-ji Temple in the Yamadera (mountain temple) area in the northeastern
part of Yamagata City is one of the prominent temples in the Tohoku region, and
was reportedly founded in the year 860. The whole of Mt. Hoju-san is the
precinct of the temple, where luxuriant ancient trees grow. Everywhere in the
vast temple area, you can find rock caves and queerly shaped rocks, eroded by
wind and water, as well as many other temple buildings, including the
Konpon-chudo (central hall).
Tendo City, adjacent to Yamagata City to the
north, is noted for producing 'shogi' (Japanese chess) pieces, accounting for 95
percent of their total production in Japan. An event known as "Ningen Shogi"
(human chess), held during a cherry blossom festival, includes shogi chess
matches in which people play the roles of the the chess pieces, adding poetic
charm to the spring season. During your visit you can watch a demonstration of
how shogi pieces are made, and if booked in advance, you can also try your hand
at making your own original shogi piece to keep as a souvenir.
The Three Sacred Mountains of Dewa, famous for having the longest
history of mountain worship in Japan.
Mt. Gassan, Mt. Haguro-san and Mt. Yudono-san, collectively known as the Dewa
Sanzan (Three Sacred Mountains of Dewa), are located in central Yamagata. The
Dewa Sanzan mountains boast of having the oldest history of mountain worship in
Japan, where ascetic devotees called Yamabushi pay reverence, and even today
wear the traditional white robes and diadem. Of the three, only Mt. Haguro-san
is accessible throughout the year. Mt. Gassan is closed from early autumn to
early summer, while Mt. Yudono-san is closed from autumn to spring.
Mt.
Haguro-san is 414 meters high and surrounded by a dense cedar forest that starts
at the Zuishin-mon Gate. There are 2,446 stone steps that lead to the mountain
top. Beyond this dark, shaded stairway, you can see a striking five-story pagoda
that rises up towards the sky, one of Japan's National Treasures.
Sanjingo-saiden Shrine, which enshrines gods of all three sacred mountains, sits
near the top of Mt. Haguro-san. It has a 2.1-meter-thick thatched roof, and the
interior is completely covered with Japanese lacquer, a sight that is well worth
seeing.
The top of Mt. Gassan lies at an altitude of 1,984 meters. There
you will find Gassan-jinja Shrine, with its excellent view, as well as the
famous Mida-ga-hara Marsh where you can enjoy 'nikko-kisuge' (yellow alpine
lilies), black lilies, 'mizubasho' (Japanese skunk cabbage) and other marsh
vegetation.
At an altitude of 1,504 meters is Mt. Yudono-san, deemed the
ultimate ascetic disciplinary practice ground. Yudono-san-jinja Shrine is
revered as hallowed land which must be kept secret. It is a highly mysterious
shrine and photography and video recording are still prohibited today.
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