Mitokusan Sanbutsuji Temple

Mitokusan Sanbutsu-ji is a mountain temple on Mt. Mitoku (elevation about 900 m), belonging to the Tendai sect’s Shugendo tradition (Mitokusan Horyu), and it is the 31st site of the Chugoku Kannon Pilgrimage. Its inner sanctuary, the famous “Nageire-do,” is a truly unique structure built into a recess on a near-vertical cliff face and is designated a National Treasure. Because Mt. Mitoku is a place of ascetic training, visiting is physically demanding: there are unstable footing sections and parts where you must climb using chains, so careful preparation is essential. To prevent accidents, entry is strictly limited to groups (no solo entry), and staff will conduct a thorough gear check before allowing you in. Recommended: appropriate hiking clothes, and trekking shoes or waraji sandals (available on-site). In some cases, sneakers may result in denial of entry. It’s also helpful to bring drinking water, towels/tenugui, and work gloves. Access: by public transport, take a local bus from JR San’in Main Line “Kurayoshi Station” for about 40 minutes. By car, about 50 minutes from Innosho IC (Chugoku Expressway) via Route 179, or about 50 minutes from Yubara IC (Yonago Expressway) via Route 313.