A journey to fully experience all Yamagata has to offer, starting from Tendo Onsen
Tendo City, located in the center of Yamagata Prefecture, is famous for its Shogi (Japanese chess) pieces, of which it is the largest producer in Japan, and for its hot springs, which offer a rich travel experience. The hot spring resort town, which is easily accessible by a well-developed transportation network, attracts many travelers, from Shogi fans to hot spring lovers.
If you visit Tendo Onsen, you should also visit the famous temple Yamadera (Hojuzan Risshakuji Temple), which can be reached in about 15 minutes by car!
If you want to enjoy the food in Tendo and interact with the locals, we recommend visiting the Tendo Onsen Yatai Food Stall Village, also known as "Toyokocho."
If you are interested in furniture and design, don't miss the "Tendo Mokko Headquarters Showroom & Store," which is home to Japanese modern furniture!
There is a variety of ways to enjoy a trip to Tendo and enjoy a stay in the onsen resort. Find the plan that best suits the travel experience you desire.
Breathtaking view! Yamadera (Hojuzan Risshakuji Temple), a temple in the sky
Hojuzan Risshakuji Temple, more popularly known as "Yamadera," is one of the most famous ancient temples in Yamagata Prefecture. It is also famous as the place where Matsuo Basho wrote his poem, "Shizukesaya, iwa ni shimiiru, semi no koe" ("What stillness! The voices of the cicadas penetrate the rocks."). The temple is located on a steep, rocky mountain that has been the site of ascetic practices since ancient times, and as many as 1015 stone steps connect about 30 large and small pagodas.
As you walk up the steps one by one, you can admire the spectacular view of the surrounding landscape and historical buildings such as Konpon-Chudo, the oldest beech wood main temple hall in Japan, and Godaido, the best observation platform in the temple!
Drink sake at the Tendo Onsen Yatai Food Stall Village, also known as "Toyokocho"
"Toyokocho" was established in the center of Tendo Hot Spring in 2020, and is a yatai food stall village with eight different varieties of restaurants! At the restaurants, you can enjoy dishes using ingredients from Yamagata and Tendo in a variety of styles including Japanese, Western, and Korean, as well as local sake.
Stop by a few of the restaurants to enjoy the different cuisines, and enjoy mingling with the chefs and local customers! And what's more, since Tendo is famous for Shogi, a Shogi board is placed in the food stall village! Play a game of Shogi with the locals and buzz with excitement, which is a unique way to enjoy Tendo.
See where Tendo Mokko furniture masterpieces are made!
Tendo Mokko has produced a number of modern furniture products, including the "Butterfly Stool". The company's headquarters is located in Tendo City, and the Tendo Mokko Headquarters Showroom & Store is a must-visit for furniture and design fans. It is located on the grounds of the main factory and is open to the public to visit.
The showroom is indeed a spectacular place to see masterpieces of furniture that you have always dreamed of in one place! You can get up close to the products on display and take pictures. On weekdays, you can also take a factory tour if you make a reservation (limited number of spots available).
