June, 2021
I visited Yamadera in Yamagata prefecture.
This temple was founded in 860, by Jikaku-daishi ennnin,
and the formal name is Houjusan Risshakuji.
Yamadera temple is known for its long steps,
1,010 stone steps lead from the foot to near the summit with the Nio-gate
and magnificent scenery.
The whole mountain is a place of practice and faith.
Matsuobasho visited this temple, a part the narrow Road to the Deep North.
He composed haiku, "What stillness! The boices of the cicadas. Pnetrate the rocks.
At Hie shrine, we can enjoy MIzu-Mikuji.
It is the characters stand out when we soak the Omikuji in a tubwith seasonal flower.
There is a big ginkgo tree, which is natural monument designated by yamagata city.
It is over 1,000 years old.
The main hall, Konpon Chudo, has been designated as an Important Cultural Property.
Fumetsu no Hoto, the eternal flame, which was brought from Hieizan Enryakuji,
has been burning continuously for over 1,000 years.
Near this temple there are sevreal shops and eating places.
I parked for free of charge, I ate lunch there. I also ate Tama-Konnyaku.
The consumption of Konnyaku in Yamagata is the greatest in Japan.
Tama-Konnyaku is one of the representative specialties of Yamagata.
It is generally stewed in a soy saue-based sause and eaten after being spitted onto skeweres.
Thanks read. See you soon.
