Yamadera
Matthew Baxter
Yamadera (山寺), meaning Mountain Temple, is a small town well known for its beautiful, scenic Ryūshaku-ji (立石寺) temple. The town is a great spot for Autumn colours, but is excellent any time of the year. Walking up the temple area provides a great view over the town and forests, as you check out many different religious sites.
Budget travel tips
- The Tourist Information Center is just north of the station, over the bridge.
Information
Ryūshaku-ji
Price: Adults 300 yen, Children 100-200 yen
Open: 8 am to 5 pm
How to get there
The following are free with Japan Rail Pass or JR East Pass.
From Sendai, take the JR Senzan line to Yamadera station (1 hour, 840 yen).
From Yamagata, take the JR Senzan line to Yamadera station (15 mins, 240 yen).
