Reki-jo, female history buffs, are rapidly increasing in the historic spot of Tendo city! I didn’t know that Tendo City was related to Nobunaga Oda!

Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture, is a city near the center of the Yamagata Basin. There is Mt. Maizuru (elevation 242m) in the central area of the town. At the end of the Edo period (early 19th century), it was the castle town of the Tendo domain, which was established by the Oda family. The city is famous for shogi piece manufacture, which was started as a side job for samurai of the Tendo domain. Now the city has 95% of its national shares.

Origin of the name Tendo

The origin of the name “Tendo (天童)” is based on the ancient legend. When a Buddhist monk chanted Buddhist sutra at the top of Mt.Maizuru, two Douji (童子, a Buddhist god in the figure of a child) came down from heaven(天).

Mt. Maizuru (Tendo Park)

The whole area of Mt. Maizuru is maintained as the “Tendo Park.” There are a walking path and barbeque area near lake Atago where is located in the foot of the mountain. You can also enjoy Tendo Castle Ruins and the observatory deck on the mountaintop. It is also a famous spot for 2000 cherry trees and 10000 azaleas.

Ningen Shogi (Human Shogi)

At the end of April, “Ningen Shogi (Human Shogi)” will take place. People become pieces of shogi and play a game on the huge shogi board at the top of Mt. Maizuru.

Remains of the Tendo clan’s Jinya, administrative headquarter

The Oda domain encouraged the manufacture of shogi pieces as one of the aids for poor samurai. The Oda domain is a direct descendant of Nobunaga Oda’s second son, Nobukatsu, and had Jinya, administrative headquarter at Tendo for about 40 years before the Meiji Restoration. During the Boshin War (1868), the headquarter was invaded and burned down by the Shonai Domain. The Jinya was located near Kitaro Inari Shrine.

Takeisao Shrine

In the middle of Mt. Maizuru, Takeisao Shrine is enshrined to show respect to the warlords, Nobunaga Oda. Its precincts are known as beautiful spots for azaleas.

Hiroshige Museum of Art

At “Hiroshige Museum of Art,” the original painting of famous ukiyo-e painter Hiroshige Utagawa in the late Edo period, is exhibited. The Tendo Domain had a difficult financial situation and had debts with merchants and farmers inside and outside the domain. They asked Hiroshige to draw a picture as a substitute for the payment. Hiroshige’s painting, drawn by the request of the Tendo domain, is called “Tendo Hiroshige.”

Tendo Oda no Sato History Museum

“Tendo Oda no Sato History Museum” is a history museum that uses the old government office built in the early Meiji era. It is the oldest Gi-yofu wooden architecture in Yamagata Prefecture. Gi-yofu architecture, Quasi-Western-style architecture, is a building made by Japanese craftsmen in the early Meiji era to resemble Western architecture. At the hall of the museum, there are many historical materials related to the Meiji Restoration and Tendo domain.

Tendo Onsen

The Tendo Onsen town is a hot spring town that manufactures the most shogi pieces in Japan. There are many monuments of shogi pieces everywhere.

Shogi Museum

At JR Tendo Station, there is also the “Shogi Museum” where you can get a general knowledge of shogi, such as the roots of shogi, the world’s shogi, the manufacturing process of shogi pieces, and the works of shogi craftsman. There is also the “Shogi Room” where everyone can enjoy shogi, you can enjoy playing shogi while waiting for the train.

Access to Tendo Onsen

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.