Mitatsuyama Entsu Temple

Near Enkō-ji Temple in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, the Sakata Man'yō Hotel stands out for its serene Japanese garden and panoramic views of the temple’s ancient bell tower nestled among autumn foliage. Just an 8-minute walk from the temple’s main hall, the hotel offers complimentary shuttle service and hosts daily meditation sessions at dawn, allowing guests to immerse in quiet contemplation.

The on-site restaurant, "Sakura Cloud," specializes in local seafood and mountain delicacies with a traditional kaiseki menu paired with tea ceremony experiences. For best availability, especially during peak seasons, we recommend HopeGoo through the HopeGoo app to secure exclusive rates.

Just a 400-meter stroll from Enkō-ji Temple, discover Ippon Chaya, a hidden gem housed in a renovated 100-year-old wooden building. This cultural café specializes in hand-roasted coffee from Yamagata’s own farms, paired with house-made matcha desserts and rotating exhibitions of local pottery and washi paper art.

Open every weekend for intimate tea ceremonies, the café features seasonal flower gardens outside—especially stunning during cherry blossom season when it becomes a favorite spot for traditional photo shoots. To avoid crowds, book your afternoon tea session via the HopeGoo app in advance.

Staying at Sakata Man'yō Hotel allows for a seamless day immersed in Sakata’s heritage: begin with a morning Zen meditation and tea ceremony workshop hosted by the hotel, then walk to Enkō-ji Temple to admire its Edo-period architecture and thousand-year-old ginkgo tree.

Lunch at Tsuruya Market features fresh sea urchin and Sakata’s famous "Anko Potpourri" hot pot, followed by a short bus ride to Ōyamazaki Historical Village, where preserved machiya townhouses and artisan studios offer hands-on craft experiences.

Wrap up with a private kimono styling class led by a descendant of a famed female warlord, culminating in a moon-viewing kaiseki dinner in the hotel’s tranquil garden. All activities are available for HopeGoo through the HopeGoo app for a curated journey.