WEBVTT 00:00:00.450 --> 00:00:05.840 So here we are at the top of Yamadera Risshaku-ji Temple completed in 860. 00:00:05.840 --> 00:00:09.590 There is no more beautiful spot than this one in autumn 00:00:09.590 --> 00:00:13.020 an amazing view overlooking Yamagata Prefecture. 00:00:13.020 --> 00:00:16.770 And at the top of 1015 steps lies a public Japan 00:00:16.770 --> 00:00:19.730 Post box and a man who has to climb these 00:00:19.730 --> 00:00:22.320 steps almost every day to pick it up. 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:23.700 [Music] 00:00:26.940 --> 00:00:28.700 Irasshaimase (welcome) 00:00:35.959 --> 00:00:38.459 Only In Japan (voice of Peter von Gomm) 00:00:40.053 --> 00:00:42.863 I jumped on an E3 series bullet train 00:00:42.863 --> 00:00:45.203 the Yamagata Shinkansen from Tokyo 00:00:45.203 --> 00:00:47.759 for the 2 hour 45 minute ride north 00:00:47.759 --> 00:00:49.809 the morning mist exciting me 00:00:49.809 --> 00:00:52.249 for the adventure at hand today. 00:00:52.249 --> 00:00:55.269 Yamadera north-east of Yamagata City in the 00:00:55.269 --> 00:00:57.679 mountains is a gem for off-the-beaten-path 00:00:57.679 --> 00:01:00.922 travelers, especially beautiful in autumn. 00:01:00.922 --> 00:01:02.762 Close to the JR station is an over 00:01:02.762 --> 00:01:05.132 1000 step stairway hike to the ancient 00:01:05.132 --> 00:01:07.622 Risshaku-ji Temple or Yamadera which 00:01:07.622 --> 00:01:10.322 is directly translated at mountain temple. 00:01:10.322 --> 00:01:12.180 And at the top besides the temple 00:01:12.180 --> 00:01:13.811 serving the residents and tourists 00:01:13.811 --> 00:01:16.211 alike is a red Japan Post box 00:01:17.705 --> 00:01:20.935 With pick-up time 11am six days a week. 00:01:21.885 --> 00:01:23.907 I always wondered who climbs up here to 00:01:23.907 --> 00:01:27.824 pick it up, that's over 12,000 steps each week. 00:01:27.824 --> 00:01:28.893 A real workout. 00:01:30.169 --> 00:01:31.079 (music) 00:01:31.749 --> 00:01:34.039 And I found the man who has a most scenic 00:01:34.039 --> 00:01:35.889 and one of the most challenging postal 00:01:35.889 --> 00:01:38.417 routes perhaps in all of Japan. 00:01:38.632 --> 00:01:40.452 This is Sasahara San who has been on 00:01:40.452 --> 00:01:42.512 this route for several years. 00:01:43.149 --> 00:01:45.682 He parks at the Yamadera Post Office 00:01:45.682 --> 00:01:48.402 and then hikes up the same as tourists. 00:01:52.086 --> 00:01:54.596 Autumn here is warm in the afternoon sun, 00:01:54.596 --> 00:01:57.546 chilly in the evening perfect hiking temperature. 00:02:00.826 --> 00:02:02.869 When you're carrying mail and packages and 00:02:02.869 --> 00:02:05.469 have to climb up a mountain it's a long way. 00:02:06.139 --> 00:02:07.842 Well, it's not that far away. 00:02:07.842 --> 00:02:10.289 Just 20 or 30 minutes to climb up. 00:02:10.289 --> 00:02:14.169 The temple was founded in 860 nearly 1200 years ago. 00:02:14.169 --> 00:02:16.830 An ancient hike that now has well-maintained 00:02:16.830 --> 00:02:19.159 stone and cement steps to the top. 00:02:22.099 --> 00:02:23.969 We'll end the episode at the stunning 00:02:23.969 --> 00:02:25.981 Godaidal observation deck and an autumn 00:02:25.981 --> 00:02:28.631 view of the mountain town below. 00:02:28.821 --> 00:02:30.471 It does look much more difficult 00:02:30.471 --> 00:02:32.341 from street level though. 00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:33.959 (music) 00:02:37.448 --> 00:02:38.978 11:59am 00:02:39.478 --> 00:02:42.248 We start the climb from under the torii gate. 00:02:55.568 --> 00:02:57.868 The real climbing in the forest starts here at 00:02:57.868 --> 00:03:00.068 the temple gate. Admission for non postal 00:03:00.068 --> 00:03:03.055 workers is 300 yen, open 9 to 5 daily. 00:03:09.628 --> 00:03:10.408 Oh really? 00:03:14.425 --> 00:03:16.545 Take it step by step, but you have to 00:03:16.545 --> 00:03:18.945 stop and look around. There's no reason to 00:03:18.945 --> 00:03:20.985 rush it even when you have a postal route. 00:03:23.335 --> 00:03:25.455 Yamadera is one of the big attractions of 00:03:25.455 --> 00:03:27.645 Tohoku - it's really nice to get out of the city. 00:03:37.553 --> 00:03:39.936 The steps up here have a lot of character 00:03:39.936 --> 00:03:41.856 built around the ancient rocks that give 00:03:41.856 --> 00:03:43.696 you a chance to look around 00:03:43.696 --> 00:03:45.899 say hi to the other travelers. 00:03:46.269 --> 00:03:46.269 There aren't that many people in the 00:03:50.489 --> 00:03:54.489 early mornings and near closing time 00:03:54.489 --> 00:03:55.944 the best time to visit and climb.