Rissyakuji Temple

Rissyakuji Temple is located in Yamagata City, the capital of Yamagata Prefecture, approx. 300km north of Tokyo. Rissyakuji Temple was built in the year 860 by Jikaku, the high priest of the Tendai sect of Buddhism.

Rissyakuji Temple became famous during the Edo period (from 17th century to 19th century) as the place where poet Matsuo Basho composed the haiku “Silence and rock permeated by the sound of cicadas” from “A Haiku Journey, Oku-no-Hosomichi (The Narrow Road to the Far North).” It is a famous tourist destination.

There is a stone stairway of 1,015 steps on the mountain by Rissyakuji Temple. The main hall of Rissyakuji Temple has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. This hall enshrines the wooden sealed statue of Yakushi Nyorai in its inner sanctuary.

JGSDF Camp Jinmachi is located in Higashine City, Yamagata Prefecture.

Camp Jinmachi is the sixth-largest JGSDF camp. There are 9 units stationed there including the Division Headquarters of the 6th Division as well as 6 units under the direct control of North Eastern Army and 2 units under the direct control of the Minister of Defense. There, approx. 2,600 personnel of the JGSDF train day and night.