Momiji Park is an urban park in Yamagata City developed on the former grounds of HoDoji Temple, a once-prominent temple of the Shingon school of Buddhism. The park preserves the temple’s former strolling pond garden (chisen-kaiyushiki garden), an Edo-period style of Japanese garden designed around a central pond with paths that allow visitors to enjoy changing views as they walk.
Stone arrangements, trees, and the pond are carefully integrated into the landscape, creating a peaceful Japanese garden atmosphere. The grounds are also home to Seifuso, now used as a branch facility of the Yamagata City Central Public Hall, as well as the traditional tea house Hokko-an.
Momiji Park is particularly beautiful during the autumn foliage season, when the trees turn brilliant shades of red and yellow and are reflected in the pond alongside the historic buildings and stonework.
The garden preserved at present-day Momiji Park was originally created as part of HoDoji Temple. The temple was once a major Buddhist institution with a high status equivalent to 1,370 koku of official land income and played an important role in the history of Yamagata.
For many years, it was traditionally said that the garden was donated during the early Genroku era, around 1688, by Matsudaira Naonori, lord of Yamagata Castle, as an expression of gratitude after prayers for the recovery of his daughter from illness.
More recent historical materials, however, describe a different development. They indicate that around the Kanbun era (beginning around 1661), Matsudaira Tadahiro renovated the garden when he was also remodeling the garden of the main compound of Yamagata Castle. Stones left over from that project, together with maple trees brought from Yoshino, were reportedly used in the renovation of the HoDoji Temple garden.
Matsudaira Tadahiro is said to have invited garden specialists from Edo to work on the landscape, including its stone arrangements. The resulting garden was designed as a strolling pond garden, allowing visitors to walk around the pond and enjoy different views from various points.
The garden has retained much of this character through the centuries and remains one of the most atmospheric historical gardens in central Yamagata.
Despite its long history, HoDoji Temple was abolished in 1870, during the early Meiji period. The temple buildings and much of its grounds were subsequently removed.
Yamagata City later acquired the former temple site between 1951 and 1956 and developed it as an urban park. The former study hall that remained on the grounds was given the name Seifuso and opened for public use.
The traditional tea house Hokko-an was established in October 1979, followed by extensive renovation work on Seifuso in March 1981.
Large-scale restoration work was subsequently carried out on the garden between 1983 and 1984. These efforts helped restore and preserve the historic strolling pond garden in the form visitors can appreciate today.
Seifuso was originally used as the study hall of HoDoji Temple. Located on the northern side of the garden, it occupies an ideal position overlooking the pond and surrounding landscape.
The exterior is relatively simple, with a partially hipped roof, but the interior contains a formal upper-level room that reflects the building’s prestigious origins. Features such as the refined tokonoma alcove, built-in shelves, and tsukeshoin writing alcove are characteristic of the traditional shoin-zukuri architectural style.
Seifuso is believed to have been constructed sometime between approximately 1751 and 1829 during the Edo period. The single-story wooden building has a floor area of approximately 290 square meters and forms an integral part of the historic garden landscape.
In recognition of its historical and architectural significance, Seifuso was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan on November 20, 2001.
The grounds are also home to the traditional tea house Hokko-an. It provides an opportunity to experience aspects of Japanese tea culture while looking out over the garden.
The combination of the pond garden, historic study hall, and tea house creates a setting where visitors can appreciate not only nature but also the traditions of Japanese gardens, architecture, and tea culture.
As its name suggests, Momiji Park is particularly famous for its autumn foliage. In fall, the trees turn brilliant red and yellow, creating a beautiful composition with the pond, stone arrangements, and Seifuso.
In spring and summer, fresh green foliage surrounds the garden, while winter brings a quiet snow-covered landscape. Each season gives the garden a distinctive character.
Taking a leisurely walk around the pond and pausing to appreciate the trees, water, stones, and historic buildings is one of the best ways to enjoy the park.
HoDoji Temple, formally known as Makagarasan Hoshuin HoDoji, was a temple of the Shingon school of Buddhism. Although the exact date of its founding is unclear, tradition holds that it was established in the Takihira area of western Yamagata around the early 700s, during the Nara period.
In 1357, the temple was moved into the grounds of Yamagata Castle by Shiba Kaneyori, who later became the first lord of Yamagata Castle. It subsequently served as a place for religious prayers and rituals associated with the castle.
HoDoji Temple developed in close connection with Yamagata Castle and became a prestigious temple during the Edo period.
In 1662, the garden was remodeled under the direction of Matsudaira Tadahiro, the lord of Yamagata Castle. This renovation is regarded as an important stage in the development of the garden whose legacy survives today at Momiji Park.
Although the temple itself was abolished during the Meiji period, parts of its former garden and study hall survived and were preserved for future generations. Today, the site has become a peaceful public space where residents and visitors can experience the history and natural beauty of Yamagata.
Momiji Park and Seifuso offer a quiet introduction to Yamagata’s history through a traditional Japanese garden and a historic building inherited from the former HoDoji Temple.
Visitors can stroll around the pond while enjoying seasonal scenery, admire the architecture of Seifuso, and experience traditional Japanese culture at the Hokko-an tea house. Together, the garden, study hall, and tea house create a harmonious setting where history and nature can be appreciated at a relaxed pace.
The park is especially beautiful during the autumn foliage season, when colorful trees are reflected on the pond and blend with the stonework and historic architecture.
Located in the heart of Yamagata City, Momiji Park is an inviting place to experience the atmosphere of a historic Japanese garden while learning about the legacy of HoDoji Temple, Edo-period architecture, and traditional Japanese culture.