You cannot miss cherry blossom in spring, night view in summer, and autumn leaves in fall when going to Mt. Maizuru! In the foot of the mountain, there is the walking path around the lake. It’s nice to enjoy a morning walk after staying Tendo Onsen.

Mt. Maizuru (elevation 242m, height difference 133m) located in the center of Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture. The whole mountain is part of a “Tendo Park,” and many citizens visit here to get relaxed. This mountain is a famous sightseeing spot because you can enjoy 2000 cherry blossoms, and 10000 of azaleas will be full in bloom in spring, and autumn leaves in fall. From the observatory square at the top of the mountain, you can see Mt. Gassan, the Asahi mountain range, and the Mogami River. It is about five minutes-walk from Tendo Onsen.

Ningen Shogi

Tendo City is famous as “Shogi town,” and the manufacture of shogi pieces has about 95% of the domestic share. Saturday and Sunday at the end of April, “Ningen Shogi (Human Shogi)” match will be held under the cherry blossoms in full bloom. In the game, people dress into shogi pieces on the huge board and play the game.

Tendo Castle Ruin

At the top of Mt. Maizuru, there is a Tendo castle ruin built by the Tendo family in the late 14h century. Tendo castle was the largest mountain castle in the Murayama region, but in 1584, the castle fell by the attack of Yoshiaki Mogami. Atago Shrine was built on the site of the main enclosure so that the new castle could never be built again. On the back of the shrine, there is a mound of soil that seems to be the site of the watchtower.

Takeisao Shrine

“Takeisao Shrine” on the hillside of Mt. Maizuru is dedicated to Nobunaga Oda, a famous warlord in the civil war era. Oda family, who established the Tendo Domain in the Edo period (early 19th century), is a descendant of Nobukatsu, the second son of Nobunaga Oda. During the Meiji Restoration, the Tendo domain was awarded the god name by the Meiji government in honor of its great support for the army (new government army) and the great achievement of Nobunaga Oda. The 10000 azaleas in the precincts of the Takeisao Shrine are popular for tourists.

Statue of Daihachi Yoshida

A statue of Daihachi Yoshida, a chief retainer of the Tendo domain, stands on the top of Mt. Maizuru. Daihachi Yoshida encouraged warriors of the Tendo domain, who were in poor financial states, to manufacture shogi pieces. During the Boshin War (1868), Daihachi caught and performed hara-kiri to take responsibility for the Tendo domain joining the new government army. It was to protect the Tendo domain from Ouetsu Reppan Domei (the military alliance of the domains of Mutsu, Dewa, and Echigo) in the Tohoku region, which was in conflict with the new government army. Daihachi Yoshida is a hero of the local community and loved by the citizens of Tendo.

observation square at Mt. Maizuru

There is an observation square at the top of Mt. Maizuru. You can see the hot spring town of Tendo Onsen, Mt. Gassan, the Asahi Mountains range, and the Mogami River. Its night view is also popular.

Tendo Park walking path

The area around Lake Atago-numa at the foot of Mt. Maizuru has a walking path of about 400m. It is the best place for enjoy walking.

Access to Tendo Park

It takes about 3 hours from JR Tokyo Station to JR Tendo Station by Yamagata Shinkansen. Get off at JR Tendo Station and walk about 10 minutes from JR Tendo Station to Tendo Onsen. It is about 5-minute walk from Tendo Onsen to Tendo Park.