Iwafune-san Kosho-ji Temple

600 steps up to a "temple on a cliff" in Tochigi Pref.

Larry Knipfing May 18, 2013 - 1 min read

Jizo statues with a temple building in the background

View of the head of a statue from behind, surrounded by "toba" prayer boards

Very old statues halfway up the climb to the top

The temple is composed of beautiful dark wood

"Toba" prayer boards climb the hill to the left of the temple

I caught the light just right in this "playground for the souls of lost children"

A surprisingly realistic statue that was one of a pair

There were some uniquely decorated statues here and there on the temple grounds

Up there, on the top of this rock cliff, sits this unique Buddhist temple

This stature looks down on the temple grounds from high up on a hill

Believe me, 600 steps is quite a climb, but worth every bit of effort in this case; Iwafune-san Temple in rural Tochigi Prefecture is one of the most unique temples I have ever visited. Why? The temple and pagoda are gorgeous, and there was mesmerizing, beautiful chanting in progress the morning of my May visit. The temple also features beautiful and unique statuary. Finally, because it is situated at the top of a cliff, the views looking up at it, and down from it, are also beautiful. Read this article by Tomoko Kamishima for historical detail.

Larry Knipfing @larry.knipfing

Born on Long Island, New York in 1958, I have spent the last 30 years of my life living in Japan, and enjoying every minute of it! I especially love photography, and Japan is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world to photograph! My other love is fiction writing and I have pub...