Risshaku-ji Temple
Risshaku-ji Temple
4.4
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.4
920 reviews
Excellent
483
Very good
354
Average
59
Poor
11
Terrible
13
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Ramon
735 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
This place definitely should be visited if you are in the area. Coming from either Sendai or Yamagata it can be easily reached with public transport. From the trainstation it's a rather short walk to the first stairs. After passing the entrance gate you walk uphill through the forest. The walk isn't too hard in my opinion and you can easily take a rest somewhere in between; also there is plenty to see on the way up. After a little while you come to the end of the forest part and get a first glimpse at the buildings. Apart of the temple and shrine structures you get a nice view on the surrounding mountains as well.
While there were of course other people visiting, on a weekday forenoon I didn't find it too crowded. Pretty much one of the most impressive sights to see in the region.
While there were of course other people visiting, on a weekday forenoon I didn't find it too crowded. Pretty much one of the most impressive sights to see in the region.
Written 25 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ヤスカム101
Koriyama, Japan11,110 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
I went to Ryuseki-ji Temple. Climb the stairs to the inner sanctuary. The stairs were quite easy to climb. The trees are changing color as you go up the stairs, which is a very nice view. This is the best. Before entering Okunoin, there is a splendid mountain gate. I feel history. Once you go through this mountain gate, you will be able to open the gate towards the inner sanctuary. When you climb the stairs, the inner sanctuary feels divine. The inside of the rock has been carved, which also creates a good landscape. It enhances the atmosphere of Ryusekiji Temple. Also, there is Kaisando after a little descent. This is another splendid temple. Climb up next to this to get a panoramic view of the city. The autumn colors from here are indescribable. It is very beautiful.
There are also important cultural properties such as three-story small pagoda. It's a place with great historical heritage and views. It was about 50 minutes up and down. Especially in the autumn foliage season, the view is good, so it is worth a visit.
There are also important cultural properties such as three-story small pagoda. It's a place with great historical heritage and views. It was about 50 minutes up and down. Especially in the autumn foliage season, the view is good, so it is worth a visit.
Automatically translated
Written 15 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
タネチャン
Mitsuke, Japan7,893 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
I paid my respects on July 20.
I came to the summit wearing trekking shoes and carrying a trekking pole, ridding myself of earthly desires on 1,015 stone steps.
I couldn't afford to enjoy the view because of the rain at the top of the mountain, but I had rain gear, so nothing happened.
I had seen the immortal lantern of Enryaku-ji Temple on Mt. Hiei before, and was deeply moved to learn that the lantern was also given to the Konpon-chudo Hall of Ryuseki-ji Temple 1,200 years ago.
The goshuin I received at Konponchudo was a cool goshuin with flavor.
I came to the summit wearing trekking shoes and carrying a trekking pole, ridding myself of earthly desires on 1,015 stone steps.
I couldn't afford to enjoy the view because of the rain at the top of the mountain, but I had rain gear, so nothing happened.
I had seen the immortal lantern of Enryaku-ji Temple on Mt. Hiei before, and was deeply moved to learn that the lantern was also given to the Konpon-chudo Hall of Ryuseki-ji Temple 1,200 years ago.
The goshuin I received at Konponchudo was a cool goshuin with flavor.
Automatically translated
Written 16 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
薩摩半次郎
Suwa, Japan232 contributions
Jun 2024 • Solo
First of all, I was returning from a drive in Hokkaido. I asked the inn where I was staying and was told that it would take about two hours to climb the mountain, so I was hesitant, but I went anyway.
I'm 65 years old, and since it was a drive, I was wearing geta sandals and driving barefoot.
So I went in geta sandals.
In the end, it didn't take that long, it took less than an hour to reach the peak, and then it was time to go around the temples on the mountain.
Either way, I really got to experience the feeling of exhilaration and the fact that it's a mountain temple for training.
It was very good.
I'm 65 years old, and since it was a drive, I was wearing geta sandals and driving barefoot.
So I went in geta sandals.
In the end, it didn't take that long, it took less than an hour to reach the peak, and then it was time to go around the temples on the mountain.
Either way, I really got to experience the feeling of exhilaration and the fact that it's a mountain temple for training.
It was very good.
Written 13 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TAK_610
Yokohama, Japan790 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
"The silence and the sound of cicadas soaking into the rocks" can no longer be experienced. People, people, people, people, all line up from the base to the inner sanctuary to make their way up the mountain to worship. Modern mountain temples are far from quiet. Still, the magnificent view from the top of the mountain is well worth a visit. If you go at the right time when the leaves have changed color, you can enjoy a wonderful view.
Written 14 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martina1888
Inverness, UK505 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Yamadera can easily be reached by train from Sendai or Yamagata. My visit fell on a Saturday and it was extremely crowded. But nonetheless I enjoyed the climb up the countless stairs and view over the surrounding area. If possible, try to visit on a weekday, it might be much more peaceful.
Written 17 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trek21632492486
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
As others have written, the monks writing the goshuin had the worst attitude.
Someone else had asked for the goshuin, but he was arrogant throughout and mocked his opponent in the exchange, giving him the goshuin as if throwing it.
I thought about it as a person before I was a monk.
When we saw that, we stopped asking.
Also, when my child asked another monk about a nearby toilet, he didn't seem to tell me in a mocking manner.
It may be part of it, but it's a shame.
Someone else had asked for the goshuin, but he was arrogant throughout and mocked his opponent in the exchange, giving him the goshuin as if throwing it.
I thought about it as a person before I was a monk.
When we saw that, we stopped asking.
Also, when my child asked another monk about a nearby toilet, he didn't seem to tell me in a mocking manner.
It may be part of it, but it's a shame.
Automatically translated
Written 7 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ぷる太郎 足
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Couples
This was a temple I had been looking forward to visiting. I have been to countless temples, but I was disappointed by the horrible attitude of the monk writing the goshuin. I even felt like all the goshuin I had received up until now had been tainted. I wonder if he is swearing at the people who come to pray like that every day? It's an unpleasant temple. I will never go there again and I don't recommend it.
I read similar posts from people and learned that it has had a bad reputation for a long time. The worst temple.
I read similar posts from people and learned that it has had a bad reputation for a long time. The worst temple.
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LVV
Takatsuki, Japan69 contributions
Aug 2021 • Solo
You might think you've seen too many temples already, but this place is really special.
You have to climb 1000 step to get to the temple, but the path up there is beautiful, lined by trees and moss-covered statues. The climb can be a little tough on a hot summer day. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes like sneakers, and bring plenty of water.
The view at the top is worth the effort of the climb!
You have to climb 1000 step to get to the temple, but the path up there is beautiful, lined by trees and moss-covered statues. The climb can be a little tough on a hot summer day. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes like sneakers, and bring plenty of water.
The view at the top is worth the effort of the climb!
Written 4 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Apple_HK
Hong Kong445 contributions
Nov 2022
While there are lots of shrines and temples in Japan, a visit to Yamadera could offer a unique and interesting experience. One needs to be prepared to climb over 1000 steps to reach the Okunoin, located at the highest level among the temple buildings, whereas from Godaido, the view can be quite breathtaking.
Weather can be unpredictable; I started at the entrance with bright sunshine but by the time I reached close to Godaido, it started to rain quite heavily. Then it was sunshine again when I finished the hike and reached the rail station, ready to go to my next destination.
Weather can be unpredictable; I started at the entrance with bright sunshine but by the time I reached close to Godaido, it started to rain quite heavily. Then it was sunshine again when I finished the hike and reached the rail station, ready to go to my next destination.
Written 21 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What are the steps like? Will it be safe to carry my toddler and baby up them in their carriers? They got carried up mount Snowdon in them a few weeks ago, so I'm used to terrain, just checking on safety o mountain steps please
Written 9 April 2019
The steps are even and well placed. You will have no problem carrying you toddler up. There are flat places along the way to est and for your child to play.
Written 9 April 2019
Hi, is Yamadera worth a day trip in itself? Or more likely half a day? TIA
Written 18 August 2018
A Tripadvisor member
United States
I also agree that a half day here is perfect! Stay in Yamagata, where there are more city sites to see (museums, parks and the fabulous train station mall). It's about a 25 min train ride to Yamadera - very convenient.
Written 4 September 2018
I would think it is. There is so many people climbing the steps on a daily basis that my feeling is it would be practical even during winter.
We were there in late March and I've seen women climbing in high heels.
I would suggest a boot with a good sole.
The view at the top is simply breathtaking.
Enjoy your visit in Japan :-)
Written 14 July 2018
A Tripadvisor member
United States
My husband and I are 63 and 62, and we did stop and rest now and then on the way up. I saw probably a dozen seniors well over 75 doing the same steps. DO bring water with electrolytes to prevent cramping. Going back down is the toughest part on your calves.
Written 4 September 2018
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