EPISODE 08 Yamadera: 1,015 Steps in a Snowstorm

Risshaku-ji Temple — known as Yamadera, mountain temple — offers one of the most extraordinary winter pilgrimages in Japan. One thousand and fifteen stone steps, heavy snowfall, temple buildings buried under a metre of snow, a sun that broke through the clouds exactly when it needed to, and a Bell of Happiness rung at the top. Also: micro spikes from a convenience store that were extremely difficult to put on, a Japanese husband kneeling in the snow to help his wife, a fully functioning red postbox halfway up the mountain collected by a postal worker who hikes every single day, and the Godaido Hall observation deck looking out over the Tachiya River Valley. 00:00 Intro — 1,015 steps 00:24 Getting to Yamadera Station 01:27 The micro spikes — pair #1 of four 03:00 Approaching the temple 05:37 The climb — stone steps, mist, snow, postbox & Godaido deck 09:30 The Bell of Happiness 10:28 Outro — tomorrow: snow monsters ⚠️ Micro spikes are essential in winter. Buy at any convenience store in Yamagata before you go. 📮 Bring a postcard — the red postbox halfway up is real, functioning, and collected daily by a postal worker who hikes every step. #JapanTravel #Yamadera #YamagataJapan #JapanTemple #WinterJapan Part of Moments with Yan: 60 Days in Japan.