The roots of the founding of Yamadera. Spiritual culture that lives in nature

''Hojuzan Risshakuji'', commonly known as ''Yamadera'', is a famous temple representing Yamagata Prefecture. This sacred mountain of the Tendai sect was founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin in 860. ''The sound of cicadas that penetrates the silence and the rocks'' is widely known as a famous poem composed by Basho Matsuo when he visited Yamadera. At Yamadera, the mountain itself is a place of worship. At the top of the long stairs that lead from the Sanmon gate to the inner shrine, you will find a breathtakingly beautiful view.

At the back of Yamadera is ''Minenoura,'' which is not well known even to the people of Yamagata Prefecture. In fact, this place is also called "Urayama Temple" and is a power spot that exists quietly in the mountains.

The general route to Minenoura is to enter from Senju-in Kannon-do, the second temple of the Mogami Thirty-Three Kannon. After climbing the mountain behind the temple for a while, a white rock surface suddenly appears. This huge rock with a hole that looks like a honeycomb is called the Tarumi Ruins. Furumine Shrine, Inari Shrine, and Fudo Myoo are scattered here, creating a mysterious world view along with wooden torii gates and shrines.

Tencho 7th year (830), which preceded the opening of Risshokuji Temple. It is said that Jikaku Daishi Ennin was so overwhelmed by the majesty of the Tarumi ruins that he formulated the idea for the founding of Yamadera Temple here. The rock cave where he trained still remains today and is named ''Ennin-shuku ruins''.