Iwafuneyama Kosho-ji Temple, one of Japan's three great kurazas

  • Tochigi
  • Experience Gifu

Iwafuneishi, a natural blessing

Iwafuneyama, where Kosho-ji Temple is located, looks like a trapezoidal mountain with the entire mountain shaped like a ship. Since the Edo period (1603-1867), mining of "Iwafuneishi," a quarried stone for civil engineering, has transformed the mountain into its present shape. The elevation is about 172 meters, but looking up at the rough rock surface, the sight is breathtaking.
After climbing 600 steps, there is a viewing spot overlooking the town of Iwafune, where you can see the whole Kanto Plain. If the air is clear, you can even see the Tokyo Sky Tree and Mt.
Further on, you will enter the precincts of Kosho-ji Temple. Kosho-ji Temple is known as one of the three most famous temples of Jizo in Japan, and alter egos of Iwafune Jizo have been erected throughout the Kanto region.
During the Edo period (1603-1867), the temple received the patronage of successive shoguns, and underwent major renovations during the reign of the 8th shogun, Yoshimune.
Even today, the shrine is visited by many worshippers on the equinoxes of spring and fall as a place of worship for Jizo, the deity of childbirth, child rearing, and safe childbirth.

The spectacular gate is a cultural asset designated by the prefecture.

Niomon Gate with Niou-sama

Iwafuneyama

The appearance of the gate seems to tell the story of its history of being chiseled away.
Distant view. Iwafuneyama, which looks like a ship in the Kanto Plain, can be seen.
Photographs used in this page were taken from the Tourism Section of the Tochigi Tourism and Products Association.


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