20 Temples in Yamagata worth your time

A historic temple in Yamagata City honoring Princess Koma, featuring an 18th-century main hall and a protected ancient ginkgo tree.

What it is

• A Shinshu Otani-ha temple in Yamagata City enshrining Amida Nyorai as its main deity.
• Founded as a hermitage by Gansho in 1483 and moved to Yamagata in 1596.
• The temple serves as a memorial site to honor the memory of Princess Koma.

What to see

• The current main hall which was constructed in 1703.
• A bell tower designated as a Yamagata Prefecture Tangible Cultural Property.
• A bronze bell cast in 1606 that is a designated cultural property.
• A large ginkgo tree recognized as a Yamagata City natural monument.

Getting there

• The temple is located 2.5 kilometers away from Yamagata Station.
• The Sensho-ji-guchi bus stop is a two-minute walk from the temple grounds.

Read more about Senshō-ji Temple

A historic Zen temple on the Mogami pilgrimage featuring unique votive tablets and a scenic mountain observation deck.

What it is

• A Soto school Zen Buddhist temple founded in either 723 or 871.
• The nineteenth station of the Mogami 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Dedicated to an Eleven-faced Kannon statue as the main deity.
• Originally established as a temple of the Shingon sect.

What to see

• Numerous Mukasari votive tablets dedicated inside the main hall.
• A temple bell that was reconstructed in 1950.
• An observation deck located within the temple grounds park.
• The mountain setting of Higashinesan overlooking the city.

Getting there

• Seven minutes by car from Sakuranbo-Higashine Station.
• Parking is available on-site for both large and small vehicles.

Read more about Kurotori Kannon Temple

A historic temple with a unique thatched roof, housing a revered Kannon statue and cultural treasures.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Buzan-ha temple, also called Chomeizan Kotokuin Sasano-dera.
• Said to have been built by Sakanoue Tamuramaro.
• Designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
• The 19th sacred site of the Okitama 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• The main image is a Senju Kannon.
• The current hall was rebuilt in 1843.
• The building features a large thatched roof and carvings.
• A stone Jizo statue was built by Watabe Iemon.
• Designated as a Yamagata Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.

When to go

• The Jushichido Festival is held on January 17th.

Address

山形県米沢市笹野本町5686-5 Map

Read more about Sasano Kannon-dō Temple

Niwatsuki Kannon is a historic Tendai temple, the final site of a pilgrimage, with unique architecture.

What it is

• A Tendai Buddhist temple founded during the Sengoku period.
• Dedicated to the main deity Sho Kannon Bosatsu.
• Final site of the Mogami 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Rebuilt and relocated in 1671.

What to see

• Existing structures include the Sanmon, Niomon, and Kannondo.
• An Amida-do and Senbutsu-do were also built.
• Jomon period ruins are behind the temple grounds.
• Kannonji Bridge is in front of the temple.

When to go

• Toro nagashi (lantern floating) event is on August 18.

Getting there

• Accessible by car from Uzen Toyosato Station.

Address

山形県最上郡鮭川村庭月2829 Map

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Fumon-bō Temple is a historic Shingon temple with a rare, tall Kannon statue.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Buzan-ha temple.
• Its sango is Daihi-zan.
• It is the 10th fudasho of Okitama Sanjusan Kannon Pilgrimage.
• It was one of six sub-temples of Henjō-ji.

What to see

• The principal image is Batō Kannon Bosatsu.
• The statue is a 198 cm wooden standing statue.
• The statue is a Yamagata Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.
• The main hall was built in the late Edo period.
• The principal image is a hibutsu, opened every 60 years.

When to go

• A special opening of the statue was held in 2014.

Address

山形県長井市横町14番8号 Map

Read more about Fumon-bō Temple

See a rare self-mummified monk and ancient Buddha statue at this historic temple.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Buzan-ha temple, founded as Yudono-san Sohonzan Takimizudera Kongoin Oami Dainichibo.
• Dedicated to Yudono-san Gongen, a hidden Buddha.
• Moved to its current location in 1936 after a landslide.

What to see

• A Sokushinbutsu (self-mummified monk) of Shinnyokai Shonin.
• A copper standing Nyorai statue, a National Important Cultural Property.
• The Nyorai statue dates from the 6th to 7th century.

When to go

• The main deity is displayed only in the years of the Ox and Ram.

Address

山形県鶴岡市大網11 Map

Read more about Dainichibō Temple

Hōzō-ji Temple is a historic Shingon Buddhist temple founded in 1619, offering serene grounds and unique monuments.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1619 by Yusei Sozu.
• Its mountain name is Tsukinuno-san.

What to see

• Sitting statue of Dainichi Nyorai is the principal image.
• Main hall, renovated in 2010, has its original roof.
• Ihai-do hall, built in 1984, features Jizo Bosatsu.
• Stone monument marks the former Tsukinuno School site.
• Shokonhi monument displays calligraphy by Eisaku Sato.

Getting there

• 16-minute drive from JR Aterazawa Station.

Address

山形県西村山郡大江町月布209番地 Map

Official site

tsukinuno.jp

Read more about Hōzō-ji Temple

Jizōkura is a unique Buddhist ruin and folklore site, deeply connected to the origins of Hijiori Onsen.

What it is

• A Buddhist ruin and folklore transmission site.
• Connected to the discovery of Hijiori Onsen in 807.
• A base for Gassan and Hayama Shugen practices.

What to see

• A stone statue of Jizo Bodhisattva in a tuff cliff.
• Six Jizo stone statues enshrined in the tuff cliff.
• A wooden main hall nearby.

When to go

• An annual festival is held on July 14th.

Getting there

• The walking path starts at Yuza Shrine.

Address

山形県最上郡大蔵村南山 Map

Read more about Jizōkura

Sensho-in is a historic Shingon temple, home to a large deity statue and tied to samurai victories.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Daigo-ha Buddhist temple.
• Dedicated to Touhachi Bishamonten, its main deity.
• Originally named Senju-in, later renamed Sensho-in.
• Moved with Uesugi Kagekatsu to Aizu and Yonezawa.

What to see

• A large main deity statue of Touhachi Bishamonten.

When to go

• Annual festival is held on October 18th.
• Prayers offered before the Uesugi Festival's Buteki-shiki ceremony.
• Uesugi Festival begins on April 29th.

Address

山形県米沢市城西1-6-10 Map

Read more about Senshō-in Temple

Jakusho-ji Temple, founded in 708, is a historic site known for matchmaking and cultural properties.

What it is

• Also known as Wakamatsu Kannon.
• Founded in 708 by Gyoki.
• First temple of the Mogami 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Known for matchmaking, like Izumo Taisha.

What to see

• Kondo Sho Kannonzo Kakebotoke, a cultural property.
• Itae Chakushoku Shinmezu, a cultural property.
• Kannon-do hall, designated a cultural property in 1963.
• A large good luck wind chime.

Getting there

• 15-minute drive from JR Tendo Station.

Address

山形県天童市大字山元2205-1 Map

Official site

www.wakamatu-kannon.jp

Read more about Jakushō-ji Temple

Tohoku's oldest Romanesque church, home to Japan's only Black Madonna statue.

What it is

• A Catholic church built in 1903.
• Designed by Father Papino, built by Tomitaro Soma.
• Designated a National Important Cultural Property since 1979.
• The oldest Romanesque building in the Tohoku region.

What to see

• A 23.7 meter high Romanesque style building.
• Japan's only Black Madonna statue, donated from France.
• Replica of the Black Madonna statue, made in France.
• Windows painted to resemble stained glass.

Address

山形県鶴岡市馬場町７－１９ Map

Official site

www.turuoka-catholic.or.jp

Read more about Catholic Tsuruoka Church

Jion-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple with many ancient statues, founded by imperial decree.

What it is

• Buddhist temple in Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Head temple of the Jion-shu sect.
• Founded by imperial decree of Emperor Shomu.
• Main deity is Miroku Bosatsu (Maitreya Bodhisattva).

What to see

• Main deity flanked by four other deities.
• Temple grounds designated a National Historic Site.
• 14 Buddhist statues from the Heian period.
• 29 Buddhist statues from the Kamakura period.

Address

山形県寒河江市 Map

Official site

honzan-jionji.jp

Read more about Jion-ji Temple (Sagae)

Ryūtō-ji Temple is a historic Shingon-shu temple with cultural properties and a spring festival.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 807 by Jishō Shōnin, according to tradition.
• Associated with Jikaku Daishi Ennin in 860.
• Formerly known as Kangon-ji Temple.

What to see

• The main hall, rebuilt in 1841.
• Ōizumi-bō Nagaya-mon, a registered tangible cultural property.

When to go

• Ō-mihoko Matsuri is held annually on May 3rd.

Address

山形県飽海郡遊佐町蕨岡字松岡45 Map

Read more about Ryūtō-ji Temple

Komatsuzawa-kannon Temple is a historic Buddhist site with unique cultural properties.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 737 AD by Gyoki Bosatsu.
• The 20th temple of the Mogami 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• Three Buddha statues carved by Gyoki Bosatsu.
• Kannon-do hall, rebuilt in 1802.
• 76 ema, designated as a cultural property.
• Nio-mon gate with large straw sandals.
• Straw sandals are 4.5m long, 1.3m wide, and weigh 400kg.

Address

山形県村山市小松沢6500 Map

Read more about Komatsuzawa-kannon Temple

Rinsen-ji Temple is a Soto Zen temple, family temple of the Uesugi clan, with a notable garden.

What it is

• A Soto Zen Buddhist temple.
• Family temple of the Uesugi clan of the Yonezawa Domain.
• Also the family temple of Naoe Kanetsugu.
• Established in the early Edo period.

What to see

• The main hall, rebuilt in 1740.
• A garden, one of Yonezawa's three famous gardens.
• Graves of Naoe Kanetsugu and his wife.
• Graves of Uesugi family members and retainers.

Address

山形県米沢市 Map

Official site

yone-rinsenji.com

Read more about Rinsen-ji Temple

Hōon-ji Temple is a historic Shingon temple with important Buddhist artifacts.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Buzan-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 737 by Emperor Shomu's imperial order.
• Became Minamoto no Yoritomo's kiganji in 1197.
• The Uesugi family's bodaiji temple.

What to see

• The principal image of Dainichi Nyorai.
• Gilt bronze esoteric Buddhist ritual implements.
• A bronze standing statue of Bishamonten.
• A statue of Zenkoji Nyorai.

Address

〒992-0055　山形県米沢市御廟1-5-32 Map

Official site

www.houon.org

Read more about Hōon-ji Temple

Ankoku-ji Temple is a historic Soto Zen temple with a unique past and beautiful garden.

What it is

• Soto Zen Buddhist temple, founded in 1356.
• Established by Ashikaga Takauji.
• Developed as a temple-fortress.
• Principal image is Amitabha Tathagata.

What to see

• Two-storied gate, rebuilt during Horeki era.
• Gate designated a tangible cultural property in 2015.
• Garden said to be created by Muso Kokushi.
• Votive horse picture dedicated in 1910.

Address

山形県東村山郡山辺町大寺518 Map

Read more about Ankoku-ji Temple

Kozan-ji is a Soto Zen temple in Yamagata, known for its historical garden and graves of Mogami lords.

What it is

• Soto Zen temple in Yamagata City.
• Family temple of Mogami Yoshiaki.
• Founded in the Keicho era by Mogami Yoshiaki.
• Renamed Kozan-ji in the Genna era.

What to see

• Graves of three Mogami lords and four retainers.
• Garden designated as a Yamagata City scenic spot.
• Main hall is 115 tsubo.
• Temple grounds are approximately 5,000 tsubo.

Address

山形県山形市鉄砲町2丁目5-7 Map

Read more about Kōzen-ji Temple

Zenpō-ji Temple is a historic Sōtō Zen temple known for dragon god worship and art.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple.
• One of three great Sōtō Zen prayer centers.
• Founded by Myōtatsu during the Heian period.
• Known as a temple of dragon god worship.

What to see

• Principal image is Yakushi Nyorai.
• Hishida Shunsō's painting 'Wang Zhaojun'.
• The rebuilt Ryūō-den from 1833.
• The Five-Story Pagoda, completed in 1893.

Address

山形県鶴岡市下川字関根100 Map

Read more about Zenpō-ji Temple

A Shingon Buddhist temple in Yonezawa with a statue carved by Kobo Daishi.

What it is

• A Shingon Buddhist temple in Yonezawa City.
• Its head temple is Daigoji in Kyoto.
• Founded to enshrine the Kinoene Daikokuten statue.

What to see

• The Kinoene Daikokuten statue, carved by Kobo Daishi.
• Temple grounds overlook Onogawa Onsen.
• Residence of Ono no Komachi is on the grounds.
• Onogawa Okannon-do, a Kannon pilgrimage site.

Address

山形県米沢市小野川町2580 Map

Official site

www.daikoku-sama.com

Read more about Kinoene Daikokuten Honzan Temple