YAMAGATA

Yamadera

A little hike (over 1,000 steps) but just incredible. It's a mountain complex of temples, complete with a lookout that was modeled after the famous Kyomizudera in Kyoto. The 1000+ steps can be broken into bits, with places to stop and view small buildings and shrines, before you get to the top and the view spot. It's about 20 minutes outside of Yamagata City by train (make sure you know the schedule or you could be stuck there for a while). When leaving Yamagata City, buy a 230yen ticket and get on the Senzan line, headed for Sendai. It always leaves from platform 7. The trains leave once an hour from Yamagata City and once an hour from Yamadera back to the city.

Events

It's an open invitation!

October : Halloween party on Mt. Chokai, Yuza-machi (actually just an hour away from Akita city)

Mid-December : Holiday Party, Yamagata-shi

Early February : Sapporo Snow Festival trip

Early March : Zao Group Ski/Snowboard retreat

May/June : Beach camping trip in Shonai

For more info on attending any of these events please e-mail

Luke Schoen, Yamagata AJET President yamagatajet@yahoo.com