For modern Japanese, the practice of undertaking premortem rituals at temples and sites related to the Thirteen Buddhas has largely become a popular form of pilgrimage or sightseeing known as jūsanbutsu reijō 十三仏霊場. There are currently at least twenty designated Thirteen Buddha pilgrimage sites operating across Japan. In his extensive fieldwork, Steven.J.Hutchins undertook a Thirteen Buddha pilgrimage in Yamagata prefecture. This particular jūsanbutsu reijō started in 1992 and incorporates some very interesting temples across the Shingon, Tendai, Pure Land and Soto Zen Buddhist sects. A full guide to each of the temples on the pilgrimage and details of his discoveries are included in the epilogue of the book.
Heisenji(平泉寺) hosts a statue of Dainichi Nyorai which dates back to the tenth century.
The Tendai affiliated Gatsuzōin (月蔵院) houses a renown statue of Kannon.
A wooden building inside the grounds of Banshōji (萬松寺) houses a rare statue of Kokūzō.
A Shaka triad displayed inside the Sōtō Zen temple Ryugenji (龍源寺).
A pamphlet for the Yamagata Thirteen Buddhas Pilgrimage.
As part of the pilgrimage, priests from each temple will sign a souvenir book if requested. The calligraphy on the left reads Seishi, and the right Kannon.