[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.45,0:00:05.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So here we are at the top of Yamadera Risshaku-ji Temple completed in 860.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:05.84,0:00:09.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is no more beautiful spot than this one in autumn
Dialogue: 0,0:00:09.59,0:00:13.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,an amazing view overlooking Yamagata Prefecture.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:13.02,0:00:16.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And at the top of 1015 steps lies a public Japan
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.77,0:00:19.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Post box and a man who has to climb these
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.73,0:00:22.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,steps almost every day to pick it up.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.80,0:00:23.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Music]
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.94,0:00:28.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Irasshaimase (welcome)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.96,0:00:38.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Only In Japan (voice of Peter von Gomm)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.05,0:00:42.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I jumped on an E3 series bullet train
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.86,0:00:45.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Yamagata Shinkansen from Tokyo
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.20,0:00:47.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for the 2 hour 45 minute ride north
Dialogue: 0,0:00:47.76,0:00:49.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the morning mist exciting me
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.81,0:00:52.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for the adventure at hand today.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:52.25,0:00:55.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yamadera north-east of Yamagata City in the
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.27,0:00:57.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,mountains is a gem for off-the-beaten-path
Dialogue: 0,0:00:57.68,0:01:00.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,travelers, especially beautiful in autumn.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.92,0:01:02.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Close to the JR station is an over
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.76,0:01:05.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,1000 step stairway hike to the ancient
Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.13,0:01:07.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Risshaku-ji Temple or Yamadera which
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.62,0:01:10.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is directly translated at mountain temple.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.32,0:01:12.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And at the top besides the temple
Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.18,0:01:13.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,serving the residents and tourists
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.81,0:01:16.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,alike is a red Japan Post box
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.70,0:01:20.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With pick-up time 11am six days a week.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:21.88,0:01:23.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I always wondered who climbs up here to
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.91,0:01:27.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,pick it up, that's over 12,000 steps each week.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.82,0:01:28.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A real workout.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.17,0:01:31.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(music)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.75,0:01:34.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I found the man who has a most scenic
Dialogue: 0,0:01:34.04,0:01:35.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and one of the most challenging postal
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.89,0:01:38.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,routes perhaps in all of Japan.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.63,0:01:40.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is Sasahara San who has been on
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.45,0:01:42.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this route for several years.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.15,0:01:45.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He parks at the Yamadera Post Office
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.68,0:01:48.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then hikes up the same as tourists.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.09,0:01:54.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Autumn here is warm in the afternoon sun,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.60,0:01:57.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,chilly in the evening perfect hiking temperature.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:00.83,0:02:02.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When you're carrying mail and packages and
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.87,0:02:05.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have to climb up a mountain it's a long way.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.14,0:02:07.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, it's not that far away.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.84,0:02:10.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Just 20 or 30 minutes to climb up.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.29,0:02:14.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The temple was founded in 860 nearly 1200 years ago.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.17,0:02:16.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,An ancient hike that now has well-maintained
Dialogue: 0,0:02:16.83,0:02:19.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,stone and cement steps to the top.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.10,0:02:23.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We'll end the episode at the stunning
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.97,0:02:25.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Godaidal observation deck and an autumn
Dialogue: 0,0:02:25.98,0:02:28.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,view of the mountain town below.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.82,0:02:30.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It does look much more difficult
Dialogue: 0,0:02:30.47,0:02:32.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from street level though.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.72,0:02:33.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(music)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:37.45,0:02:38.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,11:59am
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.48,0:02:42.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We start the climb from under the torii gate.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.57,0:02:57.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The real climbing in the forest starts here at
Dialogue: 0,0:02:57.87,0:03:00.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the temple gate. Admission for non postal
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.07,0:03:03.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,workers is 300 yen, open 9 to 5 daily.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.63,0:03:10.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oh really?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:14.42,0:03:16.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Take it step by step, but you have to
Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.54,0:03:18.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,stop and look around. There's no reason to
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.94,0:03:20.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,rush it even when you have a postal route.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.34,0:03:25.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yamadera is one of the big attractions of
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.14,0:03:27.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Tohoku. It's really nice to get out of the city.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.55,0:03:39.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The steps up here have a lot of character
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.94,0:03:41.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,built around the ancient rocks that give
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.86,0:03:43.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you a chance to look around
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.70,0:03:45.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,say hi to the other travelers.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:49.53,0:03:51.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There aren't that many people in the early
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.28,0:03:53.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,mornings and near closing time
Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.05,0:03:55.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the best time to visit and climb.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.73,0:04:00.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We passed the Midahora Rock,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.59,0:04:02.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,worn from centuries of weather resembling
Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.44,0:04:04.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a figure of Amida Buddha.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.59,0:04:09.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We took a break at the halfway mark
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.32,0:04:10.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I asked Sasahara San what
Dialogue: 0,0:04:10.94,0:04:12.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yamadera's attraction is to him.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.26,0:04:24.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Laughter]
Dialogue: 0,0:04:39.59,0:04:40.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Aaahhh.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:41.28,0:04:43.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The climb up is easy today - no packages.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.86,0:04:46.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But sometimes he does have to bring them up.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:46.07,0:04:47.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,12:09pm
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.72,0:04:49.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is Niomon Gate, a scenic spot
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.24,0:04:50.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to cross from the forest to the
Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.62,0:04:53.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,opening top of the mountain.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.17,0:04:55.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Yamagata fall colors seem to start
Dialogue: 0,0:04:55.98,0:04:57.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a month before Tokyo.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:58.18,0:04:59.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(flute music)
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.48,0:05:04.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,From we start to enter the mountain-top
Dialogue: 0,0:05:04.38,0:05:06.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,village where only a handful of people
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.60,0:05:08.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,actually live. Even without any roads
Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.76,0:05:11.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to drive up, mail needs to be picked up
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.03,0:05:12.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and dropped off like every small town
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.98,0:05:14.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,around the country.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.04,0:05:15.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Here we go."
Dialogue: 0,0:05:15.15,0:05:17.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The view is also easier to admire.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:21.04,0:05:23.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We're about 300m above sea level.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.07,0:05:47.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The mail must be delivered no matter what.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.67,0:05:55.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it is true almost nothing stops the Post Office.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.81,0:06:08.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We've reached the public mail box.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.68,0:06:11.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sasahara San makes another delivery.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.21,0:06:37.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We've got more work to do before picking
Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.98,0:06:40.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,up the mail from the public post box.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.57,0:06:46.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(dog barking)
Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.19,0:06:49.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One resident was happy for the visit
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.44,0:06:57.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,OK!
Dialogue: 0,0:06:57.20,0:06:58.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As we move to the digital world,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.87,0:07:00.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's good to remember that these daily
Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.61,0:07:03.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,interactions also become more important too.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:03.02,0:07:05.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The delivery of mail - that human connection -
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.09,0:07:07.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,important in remote areas.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.21,0:07:08.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We quickly visited the main hall,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:08.86,0:07:10.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Daibutsuden, and made our way back
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.61,0:07:12.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,down to the post box.