This picturesque temple has become one of my favorite locations in Japan. The journey up the mountain requires you to climbs countless stairs but the statues, carvings, shrines, and nature that surround you make the impending cardiovascular explosion worth every step. Once you reach the top you are treated to an astonishingly beautiful view of the valley. I went in November and the trees were all showing their autumn splendor. If you are able to make the hour long train ride from Sendai, then you should seize the opportunity to make a lasting memory at this magical temple.

Such stunning scenery! We went early in April and it was still snowing. Got here just before 8am where there is no one but just the locals. The climb was easy to the top and you're rewarded with an amazing view of Yamadera. Highly recommend coming here for a little stop, especially with a bit of snowfall in the morning.

Located a short train travel away from Yamagata station via the train headed towards Sendai. I visited as a little spot of sightseeing following some climbing the previous day. There are 1,000 steps to ascend so I would recommend footwear that is appropriate, as well as bring along some form of hydration as there is only one vending machine near the top. The view from the pagoda at around the 800 step mark offers a pleasant panorama of the Yamadera area. The entrance fee is just 300 yen, located at the foot of the mountain as a part of the main shrine.

Love this place! It was snowing but still possible to climb up the stairs to the top. Obviously need to be careful as steps could be slippery, but totally worth it for the view.

Hiking through the cedar forest to see the various shrines is fun and provides some great views of the area! A few spots were under construction when we visited, but you were still able to see most of the different sights. Be prepared for walking as you will need to go up many steps to reach the top!

Don't be intimitated about the 1100 steps of stairs. Take your time and you will be rewarded. People say this is one of the most beautiful place to visit and experience in Japan, yet it is so underappreciated. Perhaps it is a little hard getting to without a car, but the flip side is that it's not too crowded. Take your time, take frequent stops along the way, breath in the fresh air, enjoy and meditate on whatever spiritual journey that comes to you - it's a hugely and surprishgly rewarding experience. People say it normally takes 1.5 hours to go up to the top and back down. I took a full 4 hours - it was right after a heavy rain so the air was so fresh and sweet. A few of the cherry trees were blooming. It was quite magical. Oh, highly recommend taking a couple of hiking sticks with you. It really helped my old knees going up and down those steps.

The historic Rissyakuji temple complex atop of a mountain, with glorious views across the valley below. Wooden structures well trodden by the plentiful tourists, yet well maintained by the staff. Make a small donation and say a small prayer at the numerous shrines along the route.

Gather all your energy before coming here, must be well rested to enjoy the long stairway hike. Ahh 😳 summertime heat+humid will tire anyone out so easily .. But but!!!.. baby it’s worth it 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼🥵🥰

Beautiful temple set atop a mountain. I’ve been now in winter and autumn and so far don’t think the scenery can disappoint. Please be respectful when you go. Too many noisy people running around screaming. This is a sacred place, be quiet and calm.

8.3.24 many buildings are covered with plastic panels due to renovations, but still beautiful. The ice on the stairs was quite bad, we managed, but several older people fell. The couple that made it look effortless had those shoe spikes strapped on. 2 hours between train arrival and departure was the perfect amount of time for us

Absolutely stunning in the winter. The hike up is barely 30 mins, but slippery so hiking boots + crampons recommended.

It takes ~30 minutes to hike up the stairs very slowly with breaks, so it's a definitely on the easier side of moderate hikes at least in fall with better temperatures to keep cool. I would not come here in summer. The sweeping views were great at the top, and I saw a Japanese serow on my hike up! Fall foliage was already well past peak.

Beautiful temple on top of the hill in Yamagata. The access is super easy. Only a couple of minutes of walking from the station to the entrance. Only 20 minutes are required to reach the top. You will be rewarded with an amazing view of Yamagata city once you reach the top. Entrance fee of ~200 yen is required to enter.

Amazing shrine/temple with a quiet little town to walk around. I rode the train from Sendai to Yamadera, which took about an hour, and got there at about 1:30PM. The train ride was not crowded, and takes a really cool route through mountain forests and past some small stations. Unfortunately, I arrived in Yamadera just as about 3 or 4 busloads of tourists unloaded, so the walk up the mountain was slow and crowded. Once at the top, it was again crowded and full of people taking selfies and glamour poses, which killed any kind of peacefulness that I was seeking. I went back down to the start and waited it out a bit; once all the other tourists departed, it was very nice and enjoyable and was able to wander around alone. The shops at the bottom are very quaint and sell souvenirs, and everyone was very friendly. I highly recommend checking out Yamadera, but suggest going early in the morning or late afternoon to beat whatever crowds might show up. If you're staying in Sendai, it's a can't miss!

This is truly and amazing and unique experience. It’s not just one temple but a group of temples. Not to difficult to get to the top. From the train station it is an easy walk. ¥300 to enter. Very well kept and the views from the top are amazing. Set aside at least two hours to check out the whole complex.

This place is absolutely beautiful. The entrance fee (very cheap, around 500 yen if i recall correctly) and the long, hard climb is incredibly worth it. The views of the mountains are spectacular, and the best time to go is during fall leaves time. Everyone else knows this, though, so it may be a bit busy. Unfortunately, it is completely inaccessible to those who can’t climb a lot of stairs.

Amazing place, I really recommend it, I was lucky to have a sunny day, but it was really cold. You have 1500 steps to go up crossing the forest, and then you will arrive in so many beautiful Temples and with an amazing view. The Shrine is unique.

Such a beautiful temple in the hills of Yamadera, 100% worth the journey from Sendai as even the train ride had some stunning views. The hike up to the top was stunning and was quite easy (although someone was throwing up from exhaustion) and the view from the top was also amazing. Definitely recommend bringing a snack to reward yourself at the top as I did since it makes it so much better.

Check for snowfall/snow accumulation before coming in winter. Without snow, it's a lot less impressive with all the dead trees, even on a sunny day. The steps are well defined and easy to walk on (about 1000+!)

Beautiful venue to watch Autumn foliage. About 1,000 steps up to this temple on a mountain. Worth the visit if you are in Tohoku region. Don't forget to have some soba and soft cream while here.

I've always wanted to visit Yamadera, the thousand-year-old mountain temple 350 kilometers (220 miles) from Tokyo. Basho, one of Japan's most famous haiku poets, even wrote about it. Climbing the 1,015 stone steps to the summit was worth it for the spectacular views. I don't know if I'll ever have the chance to visit again, but I'm so glad I did.

Discover a hidden gem of a ski resort that offers an extraordinary experience! This resort is a paradise for ski enthusiasts who appreciate pristine snow conditions, breathtaking scenic views, and unique local features. The ski tracks are beautifully maintained, nestled among majestic snow-covered trees, and the resort’s distinctive tree monsters add a whimsical charm to the landscape. Unlike the busier and more commercialized ski destinations, this resort provides a tranquil escape, ensuring that the slopes are less crowded and the overall experience is more intimate. Its budget-friendly nature, compared to more popular resorts like Niseko, makes it an excellent choice for those seeking value without compromising on quality. A useful tip for future visitors: remember to carry cash, as many of the cozy, on-site restaurants prefer it over card payments. While the resort boasts an ample number of ski coaches, travelers should be aware that English communication may be limited. Despite this, the friendly and accommodating staff ensures a welcoming and enjoyable experience for everyone. Overall, if you’re in search of an authentic ski getaway where you can connect with the essence of winter sports in a serene and picturesque setting, this resort is an unbeatable choice. Don’t miss out on this less-trodden winter wonderland!

The best ski resort we’ve ever been to in Japan. Superb snow quality that is comparable to Niseko but WAYYYYYYYY less people. Also less touristy than Niseko and Hakuba. 3 hours JR from Tokyo to Yamagata and 40 minutes bus from Yamagata to Zao. The mountain is huge despite all the entrances are relatively close. A lot of courses for all skill levels. No driving is required as everywhere is walkable in this little snow town. Choose an onsen ryokan to stay at, onsen here is legit and helps with the soreness after an entire day of workout. Love the snow monsters at the peak. Don’t think I’ll ever go back to Niseko again. 🤣

Good for skiing with lots of slopes and good quality of snow. As there are many flat places between slopes compared to the other ski resorts in Japan, it might not be suitable for snow boarding. Be careful for one of the cable cars as it has been occupied by normal tourists and need to wait for long time to go up for skiing. Unfortunately the snow monsters around the top of the mountain had been collapsed due to strong wind when I went there. Good luck.

Really lovely ski resort. If you want to get up to the top quicker and you’re skiing, take smaller lifts as high as you can get and then take the big gondola that goes all the way to the top. (It’s worth the wait) It’s a tourist destination as well due to the frozen jizo statue and the snow monsters, so lots of people crowd the big gondolas 🚡 which can be frustrating if you are going to ski. More tourist destination than ski hill (which is good and bad in some ways) I think that this is a great place to go ski once or so for the experience, but it’s definitely not the place if you want to get as many runs as possible in. Snow quality is pretty good but the main draw is definitely the views!

Zao Monsters viewing: - very weather specific! - if raining or not cold enough or too windy the access to the summit where the zao monsters are at will be closed. - didn’t get to see it during my trip - the rope-way access to the summit took 50 mins to the first stop and 1.5 hours at the mid point to the summit. - the cables were frozen over and the ropeway was delayed. - the timing reflected on the signs weren’t accurate. - hard to see as we were catching a Shinkansen back to Tokyo. - the timing of the bus to Yamagata feels out of sync from the Shinkansen - this results in long waiting times in between and you having to leave zao 2 hours earlier than your shinkansen training timing. - planning certainly required and also a longer stay. - the resort town is otherwise quiet with nothing much else for non-skiers. - the slopes and power snow looks great for skiers/snowboarding!

Offers many courses (routes) for all levels! Spent 4 days here (first time) learning snowboarding and it was simply amazing. Came in 19 Jan to 23 Jan (2023); with 2 out 4 days encountering bluebird snow. Many different types of slopes (green, red and blacks). Very wide slopes on most greens (no. 5 - uwantodai) and (no. 20 slope) were our favourite at the start to learning. After successfully learning toe and heel; the ohira course was the next best; with little flats and mostly green, and a few reds. Fell in love with the scenery and views all over the mountain while learning snowboarding. Simply amazing place (especially so for beginners).

This is gem for skiing and snowboarding lovers . It is huge, suitable for all levels. Snow quality is as good as in Niseko. The town is bit quiet, but with lots of nice onsens. Try to choose hotels with food plans, there are some restaurants in the onsen area, but not so many. No night life for sure😅.

16 Feb 2024 - Long ride to the top of the mountain only to see "stick monsters" so it is very disappointing. However, the strong wind at the top of the mountain is an interesting experience.

Zaō Onsen is a famous hot spring area on Mount Zaō in the northern part of Honshū, the main island of Japan. Records of the onsen date back as far as 110 AD. A wounded warrior is said to have drawn an arrow out of his body and cleaned the wound at a spring only to find that the injury healed miraculously quickly and well. It is known locally as "Springs of Beauty."

I went end of March and the weather was perfect! but the snow was a little bit harder this time of year. Getting around the mountain is very easy with the Sky Lift cable cart systems and variety of slopes to go down. It's very tourist friendly and getting to the mountain was very easy by bus from Yamagata station. Cost about 1000yen for a round trip on the coach bus.

Skiing / snowboarding conditions were sublime in late February – we did not know such excellent snow existed. The slopes were not at all crowded on a week-day and the food at the bottom of the lifts is excellent, as are rental facilities at the bottom of lift 4. The weather was tough on both days though – with chilly winds and in places poor visibility. Snow monsters were partially visible. The town has several public bath options in case you don’t have one in your hotel. The road clearing in town was good despite heavy snowfall.

This a great ski resort, especially for beginners and sightseeing. There are some advanced hills, but not many so this isn't the place to come for big thrills. The beginner slopes are great for learning though! There's a lot of long, simple runs. Also, a lift ticket isn't much more expensive than a ropeway ticket so if you want to see the snow monsters you might as well go skiing too. Only real complaint is some awkward flat/uphill spots here and there that required me to take off my skis and walk a couple times.

A cable car ride to Zao Jizo Sancho Station at the summit of Mt.Zao. skiers and tourist use these lines to enjoy a bird's eye view of Mt. Zao. Also enjoy the famous frost-covered trees in winter or better known as Snow Monsters.

🇯🇵 Jalapa Yamagata Zao Mountain Snow Monster 🏔️💖👍 Allah's creation is really beautiful unusual cold unusual beautiful a place to see a place to remember a place wonderful beautiful subhanAllah…..💖💖💖☝️

️❄️ ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL WINTER SIZE IN YAMAGATA_ZAO_JUHYO MOUNTAIN ️❄️ ❄️❄️❄️蔵王の樹氷(ザオウノジュヒョウ)❄️❄️❄️ Mount Zao in Yamagata Prefecture is the largest ski area in the Tohoku region. This area is famous for "juhyo" formed by ice and snow clinging to trees. Many tourists have come here to see this sight. Juhyo is formed by dense fog below the freezing point that turns into ice, snow clings to branches, and leaves of Aomori pine trees growing near this area. Because they look like cute monsters, they are called "snow monsters". When can you see juhyo in Zao? The best time to see juhyo is around February every year. At this time, the average temperature is about minus 10 ~ 15 degrees, influenced by the monsoon blowing from the Sea of ​​Japan, making the trees covered with snow and ice become larger and taller. You can see juhyo until the end of March, but this time is called "post-recession period", juhyo will be lower and smaller. If you come here to see juhyo, you should come in February to see the beauty of juhyo. Every year from the end of December to the beginning of March, there is electricity on the trees covered with snow and ice. You will board the snowmobile route with fireplace "Night Cruiser" to see the trees covered with ice, snow, and mist full of magic at close range. Night Cruiser Route ] ・Round-trip fare: Adults 4,000 yen, children 3,300 yen ・

'Snow Monsters' on the slopes of Mount Zaō, Japan There's nothing truly sinister about the rows and rows of snow-draped forms that rise from Mount Zaō's slopes—these 'monsters' bring great delight to winter visitors. What's encased beneath the fluffy coating? The juhyos (as they're known in Japan) are tall fir trees that have accumulated layers of ice and snow thanks to Mount Zaō's extreme weather. Freezing winds from Siberia slam this alpine area of northern Honshu island, and when combined with heavy snowfall, the juhyos are formed. The area is a hit with fans of outdoor winter recreation, both for its abundant powder and the spectacle of the surreal trees. Hot springs dot the area, so after a day of skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking among 'monsters,' folks can relax in a steamy onsen.

Beautiful hike here in summer time .. Breathtaking views can uplift moods.. Seems out of this world scenery.. We need to come back in Spring and Fall season 🤩🥰💪🏼

great little hike from yamagata side since miyagi side road is closed for winter!

My first experience with this place was in 2007 when my friend took me with his father and grand father. I remember having a lot of sake on the way up.. fast forward to 2023 when I visited with family.. the snow has melted or there was little snow compared to 2007.. the place is still not commercially established and maintained its originality. It’s a nice walking trail from the car park. If it’s windy make sure you have warm clothes.. don’t underestimate the chilly weather in April.. few options to dine but the view is gorgeous on a clear day.. the weather changes quickly.. sun on Day One and snow overnight leading to closure!!

I went to mt zao on autumn the scenery was really good perfect fir hiking.

Its a very beautiful place to go and it is more great experience to visit this place by trying the Zao Mountain hiking course.

Mt. Zao is one of the most beautiful mountains in Japan, especially in spring and fall.

It was a wonderful feeling to visit this place in winter !! Specially in Holiday this place is super crowded.

Definitely a destination for winter wonder sights and sites. Two gondola rides takes you to the top walk amongst the snow monsters for non-skiers. There are other routes that skiers can take that involves some skiing between the lifts. WORD FOR THE UNINITIATED: CASH ONLY for the gondola rides. Plus check which line to join as there are both the gondola ride (up in the main building) and the ski lift rides and the queues can be very long to buy your ticket, then to actually get to the gondola.

Wonderful! Anyway, you might want to grab some snack with you regarding there is only beverage vending machine over there.

Beautiful place!! Make sure you watch youtube skiing lessons if you never done it before haha but it was fun!

When I was there,snowstorm was coming.so,lift to the top of Zao mountain was postponed due to the storm. But it was incredibly beautiful place there.

What a stunning view in winter season. Although it a bit shame we meat a blizzard from the middle of mountain, it was a great journey which is my first to experience the situation. Definitely will re-visit in the near future.

Worth to take the ropeway to reach the highest station. Great view during even during summer. Cool and chill, like it so much.

Nice view and good ropeway journey to enjoy view of frozen tree.

Seeing the Zao monsters feels as difficult as chasing northern lights. Coming during the right period is important, but having good weather is equally important. I came on 22 Dec and there wasn’t much snow on the trees yet. Visibility was also terrible, I could barely see 20k infront of me. Getting there was difficult. From Yamagata station, take an express bus (1000Y one way, 40mins ride) to Zao Onsen bus terminal and walk roughly 10 mins to the starting ropeway. The bus comes only every hour so make sure to time it well. The walk can be quite slippery as the is a lot of snow. There are 3 ropeway stations, the one you start at, the middle one and the top one. Return ticket costs 3500Y. At the starting ropeway I could already tell visibility was bad and could hardly see much but I still went ahead as it was already 2pm. The first leg takes 7mins whereas the second leg takes 10mins to get to the highest station. There are some tall trees on the way to the second station. From the middle to the top station is where you ought to see the Zao Monsters. Unfortunately, visibility got very bad and it did not get any better. Moreover, the Zao monsters were still pretty naked so it wasn’t very impressive. At the top, there is a small area to walk but the pathway isn’t very clear so it can be quite easy to walk into deep snow. There is an area demarcated to ward off people from venturing too far. I waited till it was almost dark but visibility was still bad so I went back down. Do note that the gondolas are also not frequent as there wasn’t many people using it so they will wait for a group of people to be in the cabin before departing. Do also account time for that if you do not want to miss the bus back to Yamagata station. All in all, it was a disappointing trip for me.

The first experience at parking area was not at all good. Even though it’s paid parking with empty places, staff was not letting anyone to park and crossing the hands saying go back. Not even telling where can we park. Felt Very much unfriendly. Same situation at all parking lots 1,2,3. After waiting for long time - somehow got parking. Ropeway experience is good. At the top trees are covered with snow and were looking as snow monsters. Unfortunately it was too windy on top with -6deg temperature, so could not stay long and experience much at the snow monsters.

This is pretty much only way to get to the top of the mountain and it was fun!! However, they will squeeze everyone in so be prepared to ride in small cart with lots of people. If you are afraid of Covid or close human contact with lots of tourists, this is not going to be your thing. The view is definitely breathtaking and worth the ride. Ticket machine accepts credit card so no need to get in line.

Cost more than 3,000 yen to take the cable car to the top of the mountain (roundtril) but it's a worthy experince. The view at the top is breathtakingly amazing.

This is a paradise during winter , must visit place in Japan for ski-boarding. You can go on the top to view famous snow monsters. Noting much to write, just go and feel the nature at 1600 meters top.

Free admission, English pamphlets available at reception. Some exhibits inside, though in Japanese. It is worth a gander and walk through, the building appears to have been meticulously restored. You can step outside onto the balcony from the grand meeting hall. There was a free temporary contemporary art exhibit inside.

Formerly the prefectural office for Yamagata, this building was carefully restored to the state it was in shortly after construction in the early 1900s. There are events still held in parts of the building, and the displays inside tell about life in Yamagata during the period the building was in operation. If you're keen on Taisho era buildings or Victorian styled buildings in general, it's definitely worth a visit.

It's free to go inside this place. Quite interesting to explore this place. It's just so sad that there are many rooms that locked in here. There is also a beautiful garden in here. Various photo spot is also available in here.

This is a free museum/ historic building to explore for free. It's great on a rainy day. The old, noticeably western style, building was the prefecture office for yamagata prefecture. Many rooms are restored to original showing. Some nice views can be seen on the second floor. Inividuals who enjoy historical buildings, political sights or learning about prefecture history would enjoy this building.

Beautiful surroundings with lovely atmosphere. This building is English style and once it was the prefectural government office in Yamagata. It’s free to enter and the staff was very friendly too.

The building is beautiful viewing from the outside. In the building there are well restored rooms and exhibitions mainly about the history of the town. Worth taking a look.

Former Prefectural Office and Assembly Building is a national Cultural asset. Some of the spots within this building were even used to film the live action movie series [Rurouni Kenshin].

Conveniently located inside the city, renaissance architecture are pretty unique too.

お城好きの自分としては色々と楽しめました。大手門やお堀も良かったし、そこ出たら線路というのも珍しく面白かった。イチョウの大木も沢山あったしこれからきちんと整備されれば観光客がもっと沢山来るだろうなと思いました。 (Translated by Google) As someone who loves castles, I enjoyed a lot of things. The Otemon gate and the moat were also nice, and it was interesting to see the railway line when you exit there. There were many large ginkgo trees, and I thought that if they were properly maintained, more tourists would come.

Not an awful lot to recommend it - a large, open space with lots of building work. There is a statue, but it’s hardly reason alone to visit.

東北屈指の戦国大名 最上義光公が礎を築いたのが山形城。 その山形城跡を整備した公園。 とても広い公園でした。 城郭や石垣、堀なども見どころありました。 (Translated by Google) One of the best feudal lords in Tohoku Yamagata Castle was founded by Lord Mogami Yoshimitsu. This is a park built on the ruins of Yamagata Castle. It was a very large park. There were also things to see such as the castle, stone walls, and moat.

Nice and quiet place for a walk during the winter season. The entrances are limited but it’s a nice walk to get there. There are remnants of the old fortification and the paths are mostly well marked. There were a couple of closed parts (safety due to snow?) but there are alternate ways to get there anyway. I liked watching the ducks float around on the stream that surrounds the park. There is a patrols rebuilt castle and a old hospital inside the park.

Nice park but unfortunately that Sendai Castle has gone otherwise it will be more beautiful. Walking in winter is really nice with cold temperature!

Nice place to visit for a walk where you can see a bit of history of the area. I visited at about 9am, it was very refreshing.

山形の象徴で最上氏の居城です。 とても広く、城内を車が走れます。石垣の上が道になっていて、散歩で1周している方がけっこういました。 桜の名所であり、スポーツ会場であり、イベント会場でもある、山形市民の憩いの場所です。 (Translated by Google) It is the symbol of Yamagata and the residence of the Mogami clan. It is very spacious and you can drive a car inside the castle. There was a path on top of the stone wall, and there were quite a few people walking around it. It is a place of relaxation for Yamagata citizens, a famous spot for cherry blossoms, a sports venue, and an event venue.

Wonderful during cherry blossom season. Old and huge trees - felt like a jungle of cherry blossom trees surrounding me. Keep in mind that you should visit this place in the daytime since this park only has basic park lights. The inner area which is the Castle is in construction for now so you can only see the gates.

Wonderful place for cherry blossom viewing. There are plenty of people but one is still able to have a leisurely walk. Even outside of sakura season, the park is a good place to go to for some quiet time and to relax.

Kajo Castle Park. Our chase for Sakura led us further north into Japan since Tokyo bloomed really early this year. The Kajo Castle Ruins Park in Yamagata has the best full bloom to us so far. What we are missing are mats and food for a Hanami.

Public park where Yamagata Castle used to be located. As of July 2023, looks like ongoing renovations continue with much of the park gated off.

A very peaceful and nice walk in April sakura season.

Stunning cherry blossoms in full bloom, while enjoying the serenity and peace away from the usual touristy spots. Simply magnificent.