A Momoyama Hall on the Rocks of Mt. Mitoku
The Sanbutsuji Temple Monjudo (三仏寺文殊堂) is a hall built out on posts over the rocks of 1580 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 00315.
The 1904 date in the Agency record is that of its designation under the former law.
A Hall Thrust Out over the Rocks
The Sanbutsuji Monjudo, dated 1580, 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).
Tottori Prefecture notes that it matches the Jizodo in size and style and that the mirror ceiling of its inner sanctuary suggests the Momoyama period. After the central Tottori earthquake of 2016 cracked the bedrock near the hall, the trail was closed; it reopened in April 2017 with a detour that climbs a steep slope on chains to the right of the hall.
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 Momoyama-period hall on posts dated to 1580 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
Look at how the hall is thrust out over the rocks on posts, 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 Monjudo built?
- In 1580 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How does it relate to the Jizodo?
- The two halls match in size and style (Tottori Prefecture).
- Was it affected by earthquakes?
- The 2016 central Tottori earthquake cracked the rock nearby; the trail reopened in April 2017 with a detour.
- What form does it take?
- A four-by-three-bay hip-and-gable hall built out on posts.
- When was the Sanbutsuji Temple Monjudo designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On February 18, 1904 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Sanbutsuji Temple Monjudo (三仏寺文殊堂) |
|---|---|
| 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 Monjudo (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/2943
- Mt. Mitoku buildings (Tottori Prefecture)
- https://www.pref.tottori.lg.jp/33901.htm
- Reopening of Mt. Mitoku (Tottori Prefecture, Chubu office)
- https://www.pref.tottori.lg.jp/item/1074091.htm
Last verified: 2026.10.22
