A Kamakura Stone Pagoda on Ikuchijima
The Komyobo Temple Thirteen-Storied Stone Pagoda (光明坊十三重塔) is a thirteen-tiered stone pagoda at Komyobo temple on Ikuchijima island, Mitera, Setoda-cho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, dated by its inscription to the seventh month of 1294 in the late Kamakura period, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on April 25, 1927 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a stone thirteen-storied pagoda, owned by Komyobo.
An Old Temple of the Shimanami Islands
According to the Hiroshima Prefecture Tourism Association, Komyobo is said to have been founded by the monk Gyoki at the wish of Emperor Shomu.
The association states that the Komyobo Temple Thirteen-Storied Stone Pagoda was erected in 1294 by the monk Ninsho and is a granite pagoda 8.5 metres high.
Value as an Important Cultural Property
The Komyobo Temple Thirteen-Storied Stone Pagoda was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1927. Its inscription dates it to the late Kamakura period, and at 8.5 metres it is a large granite pagoda preserved on an island of the Seto Inland Sea (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Hiroshima Prefecture Tourism Association).
What to Look For
The Komyobo Temple Thirteen-Storied Stone Pagoda rises in thirteen granite tiers, with the date "seventh month of the second year of Einin" carved on its body (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Its 8.5-metre form towers over the temple grounds (Hiroshima Prefecture Tourism Association).
Visiting
According to the Hiroshima Prefecture Tourism Association, Komyobo is at 757 Mitera, Setoda-cho, Onomichi, open daily from 8:00 to 17:00, free of charge, with parking for 12 cars.
The Komyobo Temple Thirteen-Storied Stone Pagoda is about 10 minutes by car from the Ikuchijima-kita interchange of the Nishiseto Expressway (Shimanami Kaido). By public transport, take a boat for about 30 minutes from Mihara Port, 8 minutes on foot from JR Mihara Station, to Setoda Port, then a bus (western route) for about 20 minutes (Hiroshima Prefecture Tourism Association). Telephone 0845-28-0427.
Q&A
- When was the pagoda made?
- In the seventh month of 1294, according to its inscription (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Who erected it?
- The monk Ninsho (Hiroshima Prefecture Tourism Association).
- How tall is it?
- About 8.5 metres, built of granite (Hiroshima Prefecture Tourism Association).
- Is there an admission fee?
- No, it can be visited free from 8:00 to 17:00 (Hiroshima Prefecture Tourism Association).
- When was the Komyobo Temple Thirteen-Storied Stone Pagoda designated?
- On April 25, 1927.
Basic Information
| Name | Komyobo Temple Thirteen-Storied Stone Pagoda (光明坊十三重塔) |
|---|---|
| Location | 757 Mitera, Setoda-cho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1927/04/25 (Showa 2) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Stone thirteen-storied pagoda (inscribed with a date of 1294) |
| Owner | Komyobo |
| Public Access | Free, 8:00 to 17:00 |
References
- Komyobo Temple Thirteen-Storied Stone Pagoda (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/3189
- Komyobo Thirteen-Storied Pagoda (Dive! Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture Tourism Association)
- https://dive-hiroshima.com/explore/2207/
Last verified: 2026.10.11