A Small Shrine Hall below Nageiredo
The Sanbutsuji Temple Nokyodo (三仏寺納経堂) is a small shrine-like hall in the Kasuga misedana style of the late Kamakura 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 one-bay hall in the Kasuga misedana style, roofed with wooden shingles; designation number 00313.
The 1904 date in the Agency record is that of its designation under the former law.
From Mountain Shrine to Sutra Hall
The Sanbutsuji Nokyodo is a small one-bay hall in the Kasuga misedana style, roofed with wooden shingles, standing near Nageiredo at the top of the pilgrim trail on Mt. Mitoku (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Tottori Prefecture). In the misedana form, a small shrine has a shelf-like platform at the front instead of steps.
According to Tottori Prefecture, it was first the shrine of the guardian deity of the whole mountain and later became a hall for offered sutras. The Agency dates it to the late Kamakura period, but tree-ring dating in 2001 is reported to place it, with Nageiredo, in the late Heian period, and the temple too considers it nearly contemporary with Nageiredo.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency record has no commentary; the structure and date set out what was designated. Tottori Prefecture describes it as a hall that began as the shrine of the mountain's guardian deity.
What to Look For
Look at the small shrine form with its shelf-like front and the wooden-shingle roof.
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 Nokyodo built?
- The Agency says the late Kamakura period; tree-ring dating points to the late Heian (Tottori Prefecture).
- What was it originally?
- The shrine of the guardian deity of the whole mountain.
- What is the misedana style?
- A small shrine with a shelf-like platform at the front instead of steps.
- Where is it?
- Near Nageiredo at the top of the pilgrim trail on Mt. Mitoku.
- When was the Sanbutsuji Temple Nokyodo designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On February 18, 1904 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Sanbutsuji Temple Nokyodo (三仏寺納経堂) |
|---|---|
| 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 | One-bay Kasuga misedana style, 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 Nokyodo (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/2941
- Mt. Mitoku buildings (Tottori Prefecture)
- https://www.pref.tottori.lg.jp/33901.htm
- Mitokusan Sanbutsuji Temple
- https://www.mitokusan.jp/
Last verified: 2026.10.22
