Yamadera Hojuzan Risshaku-ji Temple

The main Konpon Chudo Hall at Risshaku-ji was founded as a branch temple of Enryaku-ji, a Tendai monastery located on Mount Hiei in Shiga Prefecture, and is believed to be the oldest beech wood building in Japan. Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing and medicine, is enshrined together with a ritual flame that remains lit since it was brought over from Enryaku-ji 1,200 years ago. There is a Hotei statue at the entrance to the main hall which visitors rub for good health.

Past the Konpon Chudo Hall, you will find the Sanmon Gate, which is the entrance to the 1,015 stone steps leading up to the summit. Going up each of these steps is believed to purify your body and release worldly desires one by one. The path is dotted with many natural rocks where monks used to train, as well as the Semi-zuka (cicada mound) monument where the great 17th-century haiku poet Matsuo Basho buried his poem written on a strip of paper while walking the path. Climbing about 800 stone steps that takes you around 30 minutes will bring you to Okunoin, where Daibutsuden that enshrines the golden Amitabha statue is located.

As you go further, there is a small red temple perched on a steep cliff called Hyakujo-iwa. Behind the temple is the Godaido, which has a stage-like deck that offers the best scenery. Climbing up the challenging 1,015 stone steps is well worth the effort with the rewarding panoramic views of the towns in the foothills and the surrounding mountain range. The beautiful landscapes of Yamadera can be enjoyed throughout the year with cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, colorful leaves in autumn and snow-covered scenery in winter.