Yamadera of Yamagata

2010/08/06

This temple is situated in the edge of the Yamagata prefecture and was accidently chosen to be on the list. It was a beautiful ride in the train through wooded areas and gorges,rivers with no human being living. The railway runs over the gorges with supported by only some tall strong beams with no rails. It helps one to enjoy the scenic beauty of the forest in the either side and sometimes shivers run through the spine. But it was extremely fun and interesting.
The yamadera is very close to the yamadera station and the temple group can be seen from the station. The name itself came from the location of the temples in the mountain.

The whole temple premises covered in the greenery

Yamadera platform when zoomed from the Yamadera station

The entrance to the Yamadera

Rocks everywhere

Creepy pine trees and exhausting journey to the top

On the way to top

This marks the halfway to the top

Beautiful scenery from the 2 third way up

Ancient caves and old wooden halls can still be seen and make a shiver runs through the spine , when thinking of reaching them and how the monks did reach those places

It is NOT Kiyomizudera of Kyoto

Finally the top of Yamadera.

This is the final temple and the scenery and the cool wind were worth the climb.

It is a nearly three hour climb up an down and the steps exhaust you.Take lots of water, because dehydration is severe when you climb. entrance ticket was some 300yen and extremely worth the price and I personally think that a little price up will still be worth enough.

Very kind and generous people live around there. Specially the restaurant that rent out sun hats for free, and the kind station master who gave tape to repair my broken slipper.

Comments

Tanabata - Story behind the tale

Story1 Orihime is a princess who wove beautiful clothes by the bank of the Amanogawa which is Milky Way in English . She worked very hard every day to weave clothes. However, Orihime was sad that because of her hard work she could never meet or fall in love with anyone. Concerned about his daughter, the father arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi who lived and worked on the other side of the Amanogawa. When the two met, they fell instantly in love with each other and married shortly thereafter. However, once married, Orihime no longer would weave cloth and Hikoboshi allowed his cows to stray all over Heaven. In anger, the father separated the two lovers across the Amanogawa and forbade them to meet. Orihime became despondent at the loss of her husband and asked her father to let them meet again. The father was moved by his daughter’s tears and allowed the two to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month if she worked hard and finished her weaving. The first time they tried to meet,

Ainokura of Gokayama,Toyama

Gokayama means five hills. These special five hills are named as UNESCO world heritage for it s old village still left unharmed. The ancient kokiri dancing village The beautiful village of Ainokura The entrance to the village The ancient roof This roof is called "gasshou dsukuri" meaning -the prayers hand architecture-. This roof style is so strong that its compatible for the extremely heavy snow fall in this area in winter. From here onwards are some of the houses still left to date. This houses are still strong and man made. Even in the scorching sun the temperature inside the house is cool and it is said that it is the same in the winter. It was marvelous to see this little village, where in winter visiting this village is difficult due to several routes are closed due to heavy snow fall in winter. All Rights Reserved.

Tateyama Alpine Route - Murado Station

19/07/2010 Another dream coming true. I always wanted to go there.I was collecting leaflets, pamphlets about this but never thought of going due to the high costs. Well, luck was upon me this one time. It was early morning of 5.45 and I was waiting for my sensei s vehicle in front of Toyama Station. I did know the plans for the day but that we were going to Tateyama. Were we going to Kurobe Dam too, or going to Kurobe Dam?Were we going to take the Alpen Route or go straight to Kurobe? Surprises were waiting. We reached Tateyama Station and I knew it is my dream coming true. Weather and information of the day It was around 14degrees at the top of the mountain while it was nearly 36degrees at the foot. We were simply above the clouds and the temperature difference was too much to bear. It was cold in the summer. Early in the morning when we passed the Murodo staion on our way to Kurobe dam it was clear all around. in the afternoon, sudden fogs, drizzles and strong winds

I Stopped At...

Search This Blog