Yamadera day trip

An atmospheric temple complex clinging to the steep mountainside.

If you're travelling to Sendai in October, be sure to make a day trip to the temple complex Yamadera which has spectacular autumn colours. Literally ?mountain temple' Yamadera is a steep hillside dotted with interesting temple buildings built into the rock face many of which command sweeping views across the valley. There are around a thousand steps to the top of the mountain, but with great photo opportunities and a peaceful, spiritual atmosphere.

Tohoku's most famous visitor the haiku master Matsuo Basho wrote these lines on visiting Yamadera:

Ah this silence

sinking into the rocks

voice of cicada.