Tendo City is the home to an incredible 90% of the chess pieces made in Japan for shogi (Japanese chess). Everything in Tendo is connected with the easily recognizable five-sided shogi piece: Osho-bashi (King's Bridge) in the hot spring district, shogi piece-shaped hot spring baths, shogi piece-shaped sorghum snacks, and the Osho Daiko (King Drum) used during festivals.
It's also interesting to watch the actual creation process; craftsmen with axes chip away at wood blocks to make the shape, chiselers use one hand to enscribe the Chinese characters written on the face of each piece, and finally painters carefully fill this in with shiny black lacquer. You can also try creating your own piece with instruction by a professional at one of Tendo's shogi workshops.
Tendo Hot Springs opened in 1911 on the north side of Mt. Maizuru, a low mountain famous for its cherry blossoms; the location offers wonderful views of Mt. Gassan, Mt. Hayama and the Asahi Range. Tendo is also favored by being just 30 minutes from Yamagata City and 10 minutes away from Yamagata Airport. The city is filled with tourists in spring, who come to see the cherry blossoms and ghuman chess," and in autumn, when brilliant foliage appears. In addition to the temple of Yamadera, just 10 minutes away by car, Tendo is also home to the huge Yamagata Prefecture Sports Park, which has facilities for most indoor and outdoor sports.