Yamagata travel
Yamadera
Yamadera (Risshakuji) · Risshakuji Temple (Yamadera) · 宝珠山立石寺（山寺）
Yamadera, also known as Risshakuji, offers temple visits and views over the village after a stone-stair climb.
Follow the stairs for both temple architecture and scenery. With 1,015 steps along the route, allow generous time for rests.
Risshakuji official guide: seasonal visiting hours, 1,015 steps and approximately 90-minute return walk Official sources Risshakuji official guide: approximately ten minutes from the station to the stair entrance
Visitor information
Address
〒999-3301 山形県山形市山寺4456-1
4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture 999-3301, Japan
View on the mapAdmission
Sanmon admission costs JPY 500 for visitors of junior high-school age and older, and JPY 200 for children aged four and older, payable in cash only. Treasure hall admission costs JPY 200 for visitors of senior high-school age and older, and JPY 100 for children aged four and older. Konponchudo inner-sanctuary admission is an additional JPY 200.
Opening hours
Temple admission is from 08:00 to 16:00 in April–September, from 08:00 to 15:30 in October–November and from 08:30 to 15:00 in December–March. Winter closing is 16:00, with possible earlier closure for weather.
What to see at Yamadera (Risshakuji)
Temple visits and views over the village
Climb the stone stairs to visit the temple and look down over the village. Leave time for photos and rests while enjoying the views.
Risshakuji official guide: seasonal visiting hours, 1,015 steps and approximately 90-minute return walk Official Yamagata tourism: Yamadera guide
How to get to Yamadera (Risshakuji)
Take a JR Senzan Line train from Yamagata towards Sendai and alight at Yamadera. Walk about ten minutes to the temple stair entrance. Find 登山口 and climb towards Konponchudo and the Basho statue to Sanmon’s ticket office. The internal walk and ticket queues are extra. Prepare JPY 500 Sanmon admission in cash. Official return visiting time is about 90 minutes over 1,015 steps; allow a suggested two to three hours with photos and rests. Ordinary adult paper rail tickets cost JPY 260 each way or JPY 520 return. Limited-express/Shinkansen travel costs extra.
Risshakuji official guide: approximately ten minutes from the station to the stair entrance Risshakuji official guide: JPY 500 Sanmon entrance fee, cash payment Risshakuji official guide: seasonal visiting hours, 1,015 steps and approximately 90-minute return walk Yamadera Tourism Association: stair entrance, Konponchudo and Sanmon order JR revised 2026 ordinary paper tickets: main-line 11–15 km JPY 260, checked against direct route searches
Before you visit
Prepare cash for temple admission
Cash is required at Sanmon. Konponchudo inner-sanctuary visits and the treasure hall have separate admission charges.
Risshakuji official guide: JPY 500 Sanmon entrance fee, cash payment
Check winter visiting times
Yamadera visiting times change seasonally, and weather can cause earlier winter closure. Check that day’s guidance and descent time before planning a late-afternoon climb.
Questions about Yamadera (Risshakuji)
Does Yamadera have many stairs?
Yes: 1,015 steps on the temple route. Official return visiting time is about 90 minutes; allow a suggested two to three hours with photos and rests. Consider your companions’ walking abilities if prolonged stair climbing is difficult. Rail travel and the walk from the station to the stair entrance are extra.
Official sources
- Risshakuji official guide: seasonal visiting hours, 1,015 steps and approximately 90-minute return walk ·
- Official sources ·
- Risshakuji official guide: approximately ten minutes from the station to the stair entrance ·
- Official sources ·
- Risshakuji official guide: JPY 500 Sanmon entrance fee, cash payment ·
- Official sources ·
- Yamadera Tourism Association: stair entrance, Konponchudo and Sanmon order ·
- JR revised 2026 ordinary paper tickets: main-line 11–15 km JPY 260, checked against direct route searches ·
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