Yamadera is one of popular tourist destinations in Yamagata. The official name is Risshaku-ji Temple, but people call it “Yamadera”, which means “Mountain Temple”, and you will know the reason when you visit the place. After Yamadera, you go to an orchard and enjoy fruit picking. At the end of the tour, you see the entire view of Yamadera from the top of the hill located across Yamadera Station.
Yamadera Station (or Yamagata Station etc,, depending on your choice)
Yamadera Station
Guide fee
Lunch, transportation fee and admission fee (you and guide).
Transportation fee: We take taxi between Yamadera Sta. and an orchard. The fare of one taxi is about 1,000 to 1,500 yen (one way). More than one taxi might be necessary depending on the number of people.
Admission fee: Admission of Yamadera is 300 yen per person. If you hope to see eternal flame in Konponchudo (main hall), 200 yen per person is additionally required.
The admission fee of orchard changes depending on the fruit and orchard. The range is from 600 to 2,000 yen per adult.
I ask customers to pay my admission fees (Yamadera and orchard), as well as my transportation fee.
This tour is conducted from mid-June to November (excluding mid-July to early August)
Fruit period and admission fee of orchard vary depending on the climate of the year and orchard. Following is general example.
Cherries: from mid-June to early July, 1,200 yen
Grapes: from early August to mid-October, 1,000 yen
Apples: from mid-September to November, 800 yen
I ask customers to pay my transportation fee depending on the meeting or finishing point.
In addition, if you drop off at Sakata Port and hope to meet me in the morning, I ask you to pay my hotel fee, as well as transportation fee, because I have to stay at a hotel in Sakata City on the previous day.
Douglas B.
Yamagata Custom Booking : 2018-09-19
Customized
“Three-day Japanese Language Study of Esoteric Shinto-Buddhist Practices and Thought”
Yoshiko served as as an outstanding Japanese language instructor during our in-depth discussions on the difficult topics of esoteric Shinto-Buddhist practices and thought and the amalgamation and eventual separation of Shinto-Buddhist practices in Yamagata, a traditional center of Japanese religious beliefs and practices. Her detailed knowledge of this area and her professionalism were key to the success of my effort. She was outstanding, and I would strongly recommend her to anyone visiting Yamagata.
Yoshiko A.
(2 reviews)Hello, Douglas, I'm happy to know that you enjoyed 3-day tour in Yamagata. During the tour, You gave me pointed questions many times and I was really impressed by your deep knowledge about shugendo and Esoteric Buddhism. I am looking forward to meeting you again. Thank you very much for your review. Yoshiko
“Rice Cracker factory visit and Photography gallery”
We met Yoshiko at 9am along with her wonderful female driver. We proceeded directly to the rice cracker factory. We saw how the rice was dried ground and made into a dough and then baked and cooked in the oven. We sampled some crackers that came straight out of the oven. We went to the upstairs cafe and enjoyed a nice ice coffee and purchase some samples of rice crackers to take home. We then proceeded to the photography Museum. It was outstanding. The photography was wonderful of people’s faces in black-and-white and also some colour Pictures of nature. The memorial room was a highlight and it looked onto a beautiful Japanese garden. We were lucky enough to travel on the 1st of July when there was a flower festival and the hydrangeas were in bloom. Thank you so much for a wonderful day. We only had 3 1/2 hours and so had to make it back to our cruise ship for 1230. We successfully returned on time and had a very enjoyable day.
Yoshiko A.
(2 reviews)Hi, Cally. I am so happy to learn that you and your family enjoyed the rice cracker factory and photography museum. They are popular sites among tourist, but I hope that when you and your family come to Sakata next time, you spend more time there. Thank you very much. Yoshiko Aida