WEBVTT

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So here we are at the top of Yamadera Risshaku-ji Temple completed in 860.

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There is no more beautiful spot than this one in autumn

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an amazing view overlooking Yamagata Prefecture.

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And at the top of 1015 steps lies a public Japan

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Post box and a man who has to climb these

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steps almost every day to pick it up.

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[Music]

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Irasshaimase (welcome)

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Only In Japan (voice of Peter von Gomm)

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I jumped on an E3 series bullet train

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the Yamagata Shinkansen from Tokyo

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for the 2 hour 45 minute ride north

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the morning mist exciting me

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for the adventure at hand today.

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Yamadera north-east of Yamagata City in the

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mountains is a gem for off-the-beaten-path

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travelers, especially beautiful in autumn.

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Close to the JR station is an over

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1000 step stairway hike to the ancient

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Risshaku-ji Temple or Yamadera which

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is directly translated at mountain temple.

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And at the top besides the temple

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serving the residents and tourists

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alike is a red Japan Post box

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With pick-up time 11am six days a week.

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I always wondered who climbs up here to

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pick it up, that's over 12,000 steps each week.

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A real workout.

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(music)

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And I found the man who has a most scenic

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and one of the most challenging postal

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routes perhaps in all of Japan.