＜Iwama-san Shōhō-ji Temple, the 12th Holy Site of the Saikoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage＞A Temple Loved by People Where History and Nature Coexist｜OtsuFor recommended sightseeing and leisure spots inTabiiro

A Temple Loved by People Where History and Nature Coexist

Situated near the summit of Mount Iwama at an elevation of approximately 443 m on the border of Shiga and Kyoto, this historic temple became the 12th site of the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage during the Muromachi period and has long been cherished as Iwamadera. The principal image is the "Thousand-Armed Kannon," venerated as the 'Sweating Kannon' and the 'Bokefuji Kannon,' both associated with the protection of health and clarity of mind. The grounds are enveloped in greenery, featuring a grand ginkgo tree and "Basho-no-Ike," creating a serene mountain setting to explore.

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"Boke-Shuji Horoku Moxibustion" to Pray for a Long and Healthy Life

"Boke-Fuji Horoku Moxibustion" is held on the third Sunday of May and October every year. It is said that wearing a ceramic plate called "horoku" on your head and placing a lit moxa on it stimulates the "hyakue" pressure point, offering beneficial effects. As a result, people of all ages come to pray.

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Feel the Power of Ancient Sacred Trees

Within the precincts, sacred trees are revered. In front of the Hondo (Main Hall) stands the approximately 500-year-old Hibushi Ginkgo tree, beneath which the "Inazuma Ryūō" ("Lightning Dragon King") is enshrined and venerated. In the rear, a majestic Katsura tree—known as "Japan's Longest‑Lived Katsura," approximately 1,000 years old and selected as one of the top 100 famous trees in Uji City, Kyoto—towers, evoking the power of nature.

Detailed information

Choose Your Favorite Goshuin to Commemorate Your Visit

Goshuin stamp styles are offered in many designs, including the limited-period "Kirie Goshuin," which features intricate paper-cut motifs and makes a charming photo subject. Regular stamps include motifs such as "Bokefuji Kannon (a deity associated with protecting mental clarity)," "Thunderguard (for lightning protection)," "Shirahime Ryujin (a local water and dragon deity)," and "Fudo Myoo (a guardian figure in Esoteric Buddhism)," making a meaningful keepsake to receive after worship.

01."Basho's Pond" – The site where Matsuo Basho wrote the famous poem: "An old pond, the sound of water when a frog jumps"
02.Yamasho Night Visit – A special light-up event held from late November to early December, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
03.Mochi-Pounding Tournament – A free annual event held at the end of December

Iwama-san Shōhō-ji Temple, the 12th Holy Site of the Saikoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage

Address

82 Ishiyama Uchihata Town, Otsu City, Shiga

Access

[Car] 11 minutes from Keiji Bypass Ishiyama IC, 15 minutes from Meishin Expressway Seta Nishi IC; [Train] 21 minutes by car from Ishiyama Station on the JR Biwako Line or Keihan Ishiyama Station on the Keihan Electric Railway Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line

Official Website

https://iwama-dera.or.jp/

TEL

+81-77-534-2412Please inform the staff that you found us through "Tabiiro".

FAX

+81-77-534-6918

SNS

Business hours

9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Regular Holiday

Open year-round

Fee

Entrance fee: 700 yen

Parking

20 spaces

Event information

[Regular Event]
Third Sunday of Each Month:
Service in Honor of the Principal Image, the Thousand-Armed Kannon
For details, see Instagram

■ September 1–8: Unveiling of the Principal Image, the Thousand-Armed Kannon (Gokaichō)
■ September 1: Opening Ceremony for the Unveiling Rite
■ October 20: Bokefuji Hōroku Moxibustion Prayer Ceremony (for health and mental clarity)
■ December 15: Daikon Stew Offering for Health, Longevity, and Bokefuji Blessings
■ December 21–22: Mochi-Pounding Gathering With Temple Hospitality