Kakunodate, Japan 🇯🇵 - A Real-Life Samurai Stronghold (Part 7) | Japan Travel Vlog

To truly experience Yamadera Temple, you must conquer 1,015 stone steps to reach the summit. The climb can seem a little strenuous, but walking through a cedar forest on the way up can take your mind off the hassle. It's filled with little details along the way, and as you get closer to the end, you'll see how everything integrates naturally into the mountain itself. There's no artificial architecture here. The final steps at the top are where most people stop and pray, and it's pretty rewarding to have this general feeling of accomplishment and enlightenment. There’s no need to rush to the top; Yamadera is a place where the phrase about it being the journey, not the destination, really applies. It was a great cardio workout, and seeing familiar Jizo characters made me smile and appreciate the care and dedication that went into this temple. I recommend coming here if you're traveling in the area, as it's a great spot to add to your Japan itinerary.

After arriving in this historic feudal town, I did a quick ride through the preserved samurai district, also known as Bukeyashiki. This district features rows of traditional samurai residences on each side, some of which date back to the 1600s. To really get a sense of how the samurai families lived, it's important to read up on each family's history in the region. There is a map you can get at the train station that gives a little backstory on each home. While some can be free of charge, most charge around 500 yen for entry. I definitely recommend checking out Kakunodate if you are ever in the Akita Prefecture. It's definitely a more authentic and less crowded experience than you would get at the more well-known cities, and to see the samurai culture in its true form is something that you just can't get in many other places.