[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
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.77,0:00:19.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Japan Post box and a man who has to climb
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.73,0:00:22.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these steps almost every day to pick it up.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.57,0:00:23.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Opening 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 mountain 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 as 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: 0,0:01:38.42,0:01:40.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is Sasahara San who has been on
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.33,0:01:42.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this route for several years.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.59,0:01:45.68,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: 0,0:02:23.97,0:02:25.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Godaido observation deck and an autumn
Dialogue: 0,0:02:25.78,0:02:28.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,view of the mountain town below.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.75,0:02:30.47,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: 0,0:02:33.78,0:02:35.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(adventurous 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: 0,0:04:43.86,0:04:46.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But sometimes he does have to bring them up.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:46.14,0:04:47.07,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: 0,0:05:02.32,0:05:04.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,From here, 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: 0,0:05:08.76,0:05:11.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to drive up, mail needs to be picked up
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.21,0:05:12.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and dropped off like every small town
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.98,0:05:14.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,around the country.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.20,0:05:15.15,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: 0,0:05:21.39,0:05:23.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We're about 300m above sea level.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.22,0:05:47.45,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: 0,0:07:00.61,0:07:03.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,interactions also become more important too.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:03.19,0:07:05.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The delivery of mail - that human connection -
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.24,0:07:07.21,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.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.100,0:07:18.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,12:32pm
Dialogue: 0,0:07:19.24,0:07:20.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There doesn't seem to be a lot of
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.89,0:07:22.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,mail to pick up today.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:41.62,0:07:43.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You could see that a lot of people
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.18,0:07:44.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,stop to watch us pick up the mail.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.80,0:07:45.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.62,0:07:59.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Seeing someone whose job it is to walk
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.43,0:08:01.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,up the path so often that some tourists
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.57,0:08:03.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,struggle with is also an attraction,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:03.54,0:08:06.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially for Japanese visiting Yamadera for
Dialogue: 0,0:08:06.00,0:08:07.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the first time.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.95,0:08:35.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I suppose in a way, Sasahara San is
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.68,0:08:37.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a connection between the world on the outside
Dialogue: 0,0:08:37.68,0:08:39.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the spiritual world atop the mountain.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.89,0:08:42.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It would make quite an interesting anime.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.12,0:08:49.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We walked down past Neomon Gate,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:49.12,0:08:51.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a slice of everyday life in Japan perhaps
Dialogue: 0,0:08:51.57,0:08:53.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the most intertesting way to see the stunning
Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.57,0:08:56.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,attractions in the heart of Yamagata.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:57.98,0:09:00.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The trip down is much faster than the trip up.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.21,0:09:02.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You notice the different view, the sun setting,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:02.36,0:09:05.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,changing the direction of the light through the trees.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.87,0:09:08.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(spirited orchestral music)
Dialogue: 0,0:09:16.69,0:09:18.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The whole trip from post office from top
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.84,0:09:20.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to bottom took about an hour.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.100,0:09:22.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,12:57pm Post Office reached.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.79,0:09:49.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A lot of Japanese hikers say hi,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:49.87,0:09:51.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,take selfies with Sasahara San -
Dialogue: 0,0:09:51.72,0:09:54.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a lot of respect for the guy who has to do
Dialogue: 0,0:09:54.06,0:09:56.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,his duty up and down the trail every day.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:56.69,0:09:58.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And there are a lot of things he'll miss.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.14,0:10:07.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.79,0:10:09.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Good.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.80,0:10:17.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,1:12pm Sasahara San is off.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:17.26,0:10:19.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are more stops on his route
Dialogue: 0,0:10:19.14,0:10:21.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the surrounding mountains delivering mail
Dialogue: 0,0:10:21.27,0:10:23.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,until his retirement in a couple of years.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.91,0:10:26.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I went up for a quick climb again to visit
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.34,0:10:28.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the most scenic spot, the Godaido
Dialogue: 0,0:10:28.28,0:10:30.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Observation Deck at sunset.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.84,0:10:33.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It said that those who ascend the steps
Dialogue: 0,0:10:33.32,0:10:36.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,1015 to Okunoin Temple at the top,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:37.52,0:10:39.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,forget the outside world as they ascend.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.84,0:10:43.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They transcend into something greater.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:44.61,0:10:47.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when you walk around, make sure you look around
Dialogue: 0,0:10:49.51,0:10:51.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'cause it's just stunning.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.02,0:10:52.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Between three and 4pm there were fewer people
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.95,0:10:56.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on the steps. It had a much different feel.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.24,0:11:02.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Godaido Deck, Pavilion of the Five Masters,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:02.54,0:11:04.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when the lighting is right, is one of the most
Dialogue: 0,0:11:04.64,0:11:07.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,incredible views of Japan.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.11,0:11:09.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It feels surreal when you have it all to yourself
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.69,0:11:12.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just the sound of the wind, trees and maybe the
Dialogue: 0,0:11:12.47,0:11:15.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,local train passing by at the bottom in town.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:15.61,0:11:17.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,25 years ago when I first came to Japan,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:17.65,0:11:20.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember coming up to Yamadera around that time.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:20.74,0:11:23.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And more than the view around me, I was
Dialogue: 0,0:11:23.11,0:11:25.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,impressed with this. Who
Dialogue: 0,0:11:25.13,0:11:28.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has to climb those stairs and pick up and deliver
Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.60,0:11:31.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the mail almost every day? Sasahara San.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:31.85,0:11:34.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it was really special to get a chance
Dialogue: 0,0:11:34.11,0:11:35.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to see him at his job.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:35.88,0:11:37.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These are the kind of stories I like to bring you
Dialogue: 0,0:11:37.75,0:11:39.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on this channel, and if you liked it, hit that
Dialogue: 0,0:11:39.42,0:11:40.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,subscribe button and join me on
Dialogue: 0,0:11:40.92,0:11:42.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,another adventure as I take you to
Dialogue: 0,0:11:42.24,0:11:44.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,every corner of this amazing country.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:44.58,0:11:45.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Mata ne.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:46.52,0:11:47.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(temple music)