Nihon-ji Temple [Chiba]

【Nihon-ji Temple summary】

Nihon-ji Temple was founded by Gyoki in 725 (Shinki 2) at the behest of Emperor Shomu. At its peak, the temple boasted seven halls, 12 temples, and 100 priests, and it is said that Ryoben, Kukai, Ennin, and others stayed at the temple.

Sawtooth Mountain, where the Nippon-dera Temple is located, is a low mountain of about 300 meters but overlooking Tokyo Bay, and is known as the birthplace of Boshu stone, which has been actively quarried here since the Edo period. In 1939, a fire caused by a climber’s accident destroyed most of the temple buildings, and reconstruction is still in progress.

The main deity is enshrined as Yakushi Ruriko-nyorai.

【Nihon-ji Temple road approaching a shrine】

There are five entrances (management offices) to the temple grounds.

The approach to the temple grounds has 2,639 steps, the second highest number of steps in Japan.

【Nihon-ji Temple 500 arhat images of Buddha】

The approximately 1553 statues of 500 arhats were carved from stone brought from Izu when the temple was reconstructed between 1779 and 1798.

【Nihon-ji Temple Daibutsu (Great Buddha statue)】

Jingoro Ohno, who carved the 1500 arhat stone Buddha, spent three years with his disciples in the late 18th century to carve it out of rock.

It is a large Buddha carved out of a monolithic rock, and its official name is Yakushi Ruriko-nyorai (Medicine Buddha Ruriko Nyorai). It is 31.05 meters high. It is the largest stone Buddha carved directly into a rock wall in Japan, surpassing only Nara and Kamakura. Personally, I felt that the Daibutsu at Todaiji Temple is much larger, perhaps because it is indoors.

東大寺【奈良県】

【Nihon-ji Temple peeking into hell】

It is the site of a quarry where stone was cut from a cliff as a production center for Boshu stone. The view is spectacular, and one can see from Tokyo Bay to Izu Oshima Island.

I think it was a disaster that it was during the GW period, and the line was so long that I had to wait in line for more than an hour, but I managed to take some pictures. I did manage to take some pictures, but I don’t think it was necessary to wait in line for a long time to take pictures.

【Nihon-ji Temple Shinji Pond】

It is located at the east exit. The name “Shinji-ike” comes from the shape of a “heart” in cursive script. Since it is not in the direction of the ropeway, it was a quiet place with no people around.

【Nihon-ji Temple Yakushi Main Hall Medical King’s Hall】

It was rebuilt in 2007 (Heisei 19) in the style of Zen Buddhism of the Kamakura period after a fire in 1939 (Showa 14). A statue of Yakushi Ruriko-nyorai is enshrined.

【Nihon-ji Temple Kenkon inari】

There was a small Inari shrine next to the Iorouden.

【Nihon-ji Temple Tsuten Cave】

It enshrines the ninth generation Soto Zen master Koga Guden, Dogen, and Zen master Yeonsan. It is unknown when it was built, but it is believed that it was not destroyed by fire.

【Nihon-ji Temple Main hall, pagoda and bell tower】

It is currently undergoing restoration work and was off-limits to all but authorized personnel.

【Nihon-ji Temple Nearby attractions】

Daifukuji Temple

Daifukuji Temple (Gake Kannon) and Suwa Shrine [Chiba]

【Nihon-ji Temple Access】

Manager’s Comments

The temple is located in the middle of a vast mountain and there are many things to see. We had originally planned to take the ropeway to the top of the mountain, but since it was during the GW period, it was too crowded and we could not get on the ropeway. Also, we had to wait in line for a long time at “Jigoku-nozoki” (peering into hell), so we could not make good use of our time…. I think it is better to give up “Jigoku-nozoki” and take a leisurely stroll in the temple grounds during the busy period such as GW. I would like to visit the temple again as soon as the restoration work is finished.

Site/Facility Size

 (5)

Richness of Nature

 (5)

Ease of access

 (3.5)

Number of tourists

 (5)

Nihon-ji Temple

184 Motona, Kyonan-cho, Awa-gun, Chiba 299-2100

※Paid parking is available.

About 10 minutes on foot from JR Hamakanaya Station to Kyokozan Ropeway

参考

鋸山 日本寺 公式サイト

鋸山 日本寺 公式サイト

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Daifukuji Temple (Gake Kannon) and Suwa Shrine [Chiba] Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple and Taiyuin [Tochigi] Katori Jingu Shrine [Chiba] Sunosaki Shrine [Chiba]