Yamadera is a temple reached by stone stairs after paying mountain admission at the gate. Choose whether to add the treasury or Konpon Chudo inner sanctuary. For an afternoon visit, check the seasonal admission cutoff and time to descend as well as the gate closing time.
Photo: Raita Futo / Wikimedia Commons / Flickr · CC BY 2.0 · Commons 960 pxresized derivative; no additional crop or retouch
Who this guide is for: Independent visitors choosing paid areas and planning an afternoon climb
Prepare cash and separate visit fees; in October and November plan around the 15:30 admission cutoff with time to return.
Compare at a glance
| Option | Best fit | Check before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Individual mountain entry | JPY 500 junior-high and older / JPY 200 children age 4+ | Cash only |
| Treasury | Regular adultJPY 200 / childJPY 100 | Separate admission |
| Konpon Chudo inner sanctuary | JPY 200 | Additional visit |
| October–November | 08:00–15:30 admission | Check sunset-dependent gate closing |
| December–March | 08:30–15:00 / gate closes 16:00 | Weather may bring earlier closure |
Prepare cash for mountain entry
Following the 1 April 2025 fee revision, individual mountain entry is JPY 500 for junior-high students and older, and JPY 200 for children aged 4 and older. The temple specifies cash payment. Older JPY 300 information is outdated. Groups of 30 or more have a different schedule; do not use group rates for an individual visit.
Choose the additional areas
The temple lists regular treasury admission separately at JPY 200 for adults and JPY 100 for children, and Konpon Chudo inner-sanctuary admission at JPY 200. The treasury adult category starts at high-school age, unlike the mountain fee category. Do not assume a single ticket includes these areas. Check visit-date availability and the relevant age category.
Use the seasonal admission cutoff
The temple lists 08:00–16:00 for April–September, 08:00–15:30 for October–November and 08:30–15:00 for December–March. The tourism association has a general April–November 16:00 block but also an October–November 15:30 entry notice. Use the temple seasonal schedule for arrival planning. Gate closure can depend on sunset; ask the temple gate office at 023-695-2843 about the visit date. The winter 16:00 closing time may move earlier in bad weather.
Allow time for the return stairs
The prefectural guide lists 1,015 steps from the gate to Okunoin and about 1.5–2 hours for the roundtrip from the climb entrance. The station-to-entrance walk is about 5 minutes, separate from the climb. Rest stops and crowds vary, so arriving just before the admission cutoff does not guarantee a complete visit. Nearby parking is paid; check the actual parking location.
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Before you book
- Visit date and seasonal entry cutoff
- Mountain, treasury and sanctuary areas
- Individual age categories and cash
- Return stairs, rest and station walk
- Visit-date closure and weather notices
Common questions
Does mountain admission include the treasury?
The temple lists treasury and inner-sanctuary fees separately. Check the areas you plan to visit.
Can I enter after arriving at 16:00 inOctober?
The templeOctober–November schedule ends at 15:30. Check seasonal entry conditions rather than the general 16:00 listing.
Does this photo show current autumn colours?
It was taken on 6 November 2020. Current foliage, weather and access conditions can differ.
Sources and booking conditions
- rissyakuji.jp — operator, destination or property information
- rissyakuji.jp — operator, destination or property information
- rissyakuji.jp — operator, destination or property information
- yamagatakanko.com — operator, destination or property information
- yamaderakankou.com — operator, destination or property information
English edition published 2026-10-12. Source review date inherited from the original guide: 2026-10-12. Editorial recommendations are not firsthand reviews or live quotes. Check current prices, availability and conditions before purchase.