Buddhist temple
Risshaku-ji
立石寺（りっしゃくじ）
Yamagata, Yamagata Prefecture
A Tendai temple in Yamadera, Yamagata, affectionately known as "Yamadera". In the Konpon Chūdō, a seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai is enshrined as the hidden principal image.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
Prayers associated with this place
Principal object of worship: seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai (hidden image in the Konpon Chūdō)
History and things to know
According to temple tradition, it was opened in Jōgan 2 (860) by Jikaku Daishi Ennin, and it still keeps the Dharma lamp divided from Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei. It declined through warfare in the Muromachi period, but its halls and pagodas were put in order in the Edo period, and in Genroku 2 (1689) Matsuo Bashō visited and left his haiku beginning "Shizukasa ya".
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Related kami and buddhas
Before you visit
Stone steps continue from the trailhead to the Oku-no-in, and the round trip takes about an hour and a half.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 立石寺「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-22 確認）
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