Nageiredo (Mitokusan Sanbutsuji)

Temple

Prefecture

Tottori

Type

Temple

N/A

0 reviews

¥1,200

Entry Fee

About This Destination

The inner hall of Sanbutsuji temple, built on stilts inside a cliff hollow on Mount Mitoku and the only National Treasure building in Tottori. Seeing it up close means a steep pilgrim climb that the temple will not let you do alone.

Nageiredo sits in a hollow on the north face of Mount Mitoku, a small Heian-period hall propped on long wooden stilts. Legend says the ascetic En no Gyoja threw it into the cliff, hence the name. The climb up is the whole point. After paying 400 yen at the temple and walking up to the main hall, you register at the office behind it and pay another 800 yen for the climbing route. The rules are firm: no solo climbers (groups of two or more only), a shoe check at the desk, and straw sandals for sale if your soles are judged unfit. You wear a borrowed wagesa stole on the way. Reception runs 8:00 to 15:00 and everyone must be down by 16:30. The route closes in rain and snow and all winter. Expect 1.5 to 2 hours round trip, with hand-over-hand scrambles up Kazura-zaka, where you grab tree roots, and Kusari-zaka, which has a chain. Keep both hands free.

Location

Prefecture: Tottori

Address: Misasa, Tottori, Japan

Nearest Station: Kurayoshi Station

Best time to visit: April to November in dry weather; the climbing route closes for winter and reopens on April 1

View on Google Maps

Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I climb to Nageiredo on my own?

No. The temple only admits groups of two or more to the climbing route. Solo travelers have to pair up with other visitors at the reception.

What shoes do I need, and when is the route closed?

Wear shoes with a grippy tread; staff check them at reception and sell straw sandals if yours are unsuitable. The route closes in rain or snow and for the whole winter, reopening on April 1. Reception runs 8:00 to 15:00.

How much does it cost and how long does it take?

Adults pay 400 yen to enter the temple and 800 yen more for the climbing route, 1,200 yen in total. The round trip from the climbing office takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.