A Hall on Stilts along the Pilgrim Trail
The Sanbutsuji Temple Jizodo (三仏寺地蔵堂) is a hall built out on posts over the rocks of the late Muromachi period in Mitoku, Misasa Town, Tohaku District, Tottori Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on February 18, 1904 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a hall built out on posts, four bays by three, single-storey, hip-and-gable with a cusped gable at the rear eave, roofed with wooden shingles; designation number 00314.
The 1904 date in the Agency record is that of its designation under the former law.
A Hall on Posts along the Trail
The Sanbutsuji Jizodo is a hall built out on posts, four bays by three, single-storey under a hip-and-gable roof of wooden shingles, with a cusped gable at the rear eave (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is one of the halls on the steep north slope of Mt. Mitoku, along the pilgrim trail up to Nageiredo (Tottori Prefecture).
Tottori Prefecture notes that its decorated ceiling and painted patterns suggest a date at the end of the Muromachi period, and that it matches the Monjudo in size and style.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency record has no commentary; the structure and date set out what was designated. It is a late Muromachi hall built out on posts (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
Look at how posts on the rocks carry the floor out, and at the cusped gable at the rear.
Visiting
It is owned by Sanbutsuji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to the temple, entry to the climbing trail from the main hall up to Nageiredo is from 8:00 to 15:00, and climbers must be down by 16:30. Climbers must go in groups of two or more, clothing and footwear are checked, and trainers may be refused; small children may not climb, and the trail is closed by snow from about December to March and whenever rain or snow makes it dangerous. A donation fee is charged; check the amount on the temple's website. The halls are introduced together on the Sanbutsuji Temple page.
Q&A
- When was the Jizodo built?
- The Agency dates it to the late Muromachi period.
- What kind of building is it?
- A four-by-three-bay hip-and-gable hall built out on posts.
- How does it relate to the Monjudo?
- The two halls match in size and style (Tottori Prefecture).
- Where is it?
- On the pilgrim trail up to Nageiredo.
- When was the Sanbutsuji Temple Jizodo designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On February 18, 1904 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Sanbutsuji Temple Jizodo (三仏寺地蔵堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | Mitoku, Misasa Town, Tohaku District, Tottori Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1904/02/18 (Meiji 37) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Built out on posts, 4 × 3 bays, single-storey, hip-and-gable, rear cusped gable, wooden-shingle roof |
| Owner | Sanbutsuji Temple |
| Public Access | Trail entry 8:00-15:00, groups of 2 or more, footwear check, closed in winter (Sanbutsuji) |
References
- Sanbutsuji Temple Jizodo (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/2942
- Mt. Mitoku buildings (Tottori Prefecture)
- https://www.pref.tottori.lg.jp/33901.htm
Last verified: 2026.10.22
