Yamadera Temple

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Risshaku-ji, commonly called Yamadera or "Mountain Temple,” is perched high in the mountains of the Zaō Quasi-National Park and dates back to 860 AD. It is a National Historic Site registered as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. The main hall for the temple sits at the base of the hill, but to reach the main temple, visitors must pay a small fee and hike one thousand steps. The path may be difficult for some, but it sets a deep spiritual tone. As they ascend into the hills, hikers encounter small statues and bubbling waterfalls against the backdrop of the forest. The final destination, Godaido Hall, is a wooden structure that juts out over the cliff edge. The round-trip hike through the cedar forest takes 90-120 minutes, and the path’s conditions change with the seasons. In winter, expect snow and ice on the ground.