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What a day! Our second consecutive day of clear weather (a rarity in Yamagata according to Jin-san, our wonderful ryokan host) made the trek up the 1015 steps through the ancient temple grounds of Yamadera (mountain temple) a joy to experience. Apologies in advance for not having a great range of Trippers in these photos, as many energetically skipped ahead of the photographers, but the smiles on the faces below were echoed by all who enjoyed this special trip up the mountainside.
The view right from Yamadera train station. We'll soon enough be standing on the platform in the upper part of this this photograph just right of center.
we started off our journey together
the first of many flights up (and down)
top: kitsune
middle: Matsuo Basho
right: Brendan
An interesting place with thousands of coins stuck into the rock as offerings. On occasion, large chunks of snow would slip from branches high up in the trees, making it snow on this sunny day.
no trip seems to be complete with pictures of sensei taking pictures in yoga poses
The views, unparalleled
post box - 800 steps up
the "perfect" snowball
Matsuo Basho authored the famous haiku "shizukasa ya - iwa ni shimiiru - semi no koe" at this temple.
braided shoes
chains of folded cranes
the descent, and the 19th century Nio-mon (gate). The temple was founded, however, in 860.
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