Karamatsu Kannondo Temple

Karamatsu Kannon-do Temple, officially known as Mt. Karamatsu Gokokuji Temple, is an ancient temple of the Soto sect situated on the right bank of the Mamigasaki River in Yamagata City. The temple is recognized as one of the Ten Scenic Views of Yamagata and serves as the 5th station on the Mogami 33 Kannon sacred sites pilgrimage route. According to temple tradition, it was founded during the Heian period in 990 AD, when a woman named Moriyama built a thatched hut to pray for her husband who died in battle. An alternative legend suggests that Princess Toyomaru brought a Kannon Bodhisattva statue from Kyoto and enshrined it in the rock cave of Mt. Karamatsu.

The temple's most distinctive feature is its cliff-side architecture, modeled after the famous Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto—it is the only building in Yamagata Prefecture constructed in this style. In 1661, the temple received its official name from Tadahiro Matsudaira, head of the Yamagata castle clan, and became known as a guardian Buddha of the castle. The current structure was rebuilt in 1976 with striking white and red colored walls that create a photogenic contrast against the natural landscape.

Visitors can explore the small interior of the Kannon Hall, which features beautifully painted ceilings and traditional religious decorations. The main viewing platform on the mountainside offers panoramic views of Yamagata City below. The temple grounds also house a notable attraction in the parking area: the Nabetaro pot, which measures 5.6 meters in diameter. This giant pot is the first vessel used for Yamagata's famous Imoni Festival, where 30,000 people gather each September to enjoy stewed potatoes cooked in an even larger 6-meter diameter pot at the Mamigasaki riverbed.

From JR Yamagata Station, take a bus bound for Hozawa, Sekizawa, or Bobara and alight at the Karamatsu Kannon temple bus stop, then walk approximately 10 minutes to reach the temple. Alternatively, the temple is accessible by car, located just 3 minutes from Yamagata Zao IC via Route 286 toward Sendai. Free parking is available for up to 50 cars. The temple grounds are open for visits at any time.