A Hall Set into a Sheer Cliff
The Sanbutsuji Temple Okunoin (Nageiredo) (三仏寺奥院(投入堂)) is a hall built out from a cliff-face cave of the late Heian period in Mitoku, Misasa Town, Tohaku District, Tottori Prefecture, and was designated a National Treasure on March 29, 1952 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a hall built out on posts, one bay by two, single-storey, in the nagare style with pent roofs and corner pent roofs on both sides, designated together with the Aizendo hall, a ridge tablet and 43 old timbers; designation number 00071.
The Agency record also gives an earlier designation date of February 18, 1904, the date of its designation under the former law.
A Zao Hall Built into a Cliff Cave
The Agency's commentary says Nageiredo was once called the Zao hall, the shrine of the guardian deity of Sanbutsuji; its date of building is unknown, but it has the style of the Heian period, and the only later record is a repair in 1375. According to the temple, tree-ring dating in 2001 showed that it was built in the late Heian period, between 1086 and 1184.
It is a small building set into a cave on the mountainside so that it hangs over the cliff, its floor carried on very long posts (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The temple notes that it stands on a sheer cliff on the north face of Mt. Mitoku at about 500 metres, and that it is called Nageiredo, the thrown-in hall, from the legend that En no Gyoja threw it into the cave by his supernatural power.
Why It Is a National Treasure
The Agency notes that its slender members, the deep chamfers on posts, purlins, beams and rafters, the gentle pitch of the rafters and the pent roofs added on both sides of a nagare-style core all show the character of the Heian period. It is the oldest building in the San'in region, a rare survival of fine Heian design and extraordinary composition. The small Aizendo hall to its right, designated with it, is thought to have been built at the same time.
Mt. Mitoku and Sanbutsuji
According to Tottori Prefecture, Sanbutsuji is an old Tendai temple on Mt. Mitoku, about 900 metres high; temple tradition holds that En no Ozunu opened it in 706 as a place of mountain asceticism. On the steep north slope behind it stand the Monjudo, Jizodo, Nokyodo, Nageiredo and other halls.
The Japan Tourism Agency describes Mt. Mitoku as one of the sacred peaks of mountain asceticism in Hoki, the whole mountain long held to be the home of the gods. A demanding ascetic trail climbs from the main hall to Nageiredo, and near the temple visitors can view the hall from afar through a telescope.
What to Look For
Look at how very long posts carry the hall out over the cliff from its cave, and at the pent roofs added to either side of its nagare roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
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 Nageiredo built?
- Tree-ring dating places it in the late Heian period, between 1086 and 1184 (Sanbutsuji).
- Why is it called Nageiredo, the thrown-in hall?
- Legend says En no Gyoja threw it into the cliff cave by his supernatural power.
- What is special about the building?
- It sits in a cave over a cliff, carried on very long posts.
- Can anyone climb to it?
- Climbers must go in pairs or more and pass a footwear check; small children may not climb, and it closes in winter.
- When was the Sanbutsuji Temple Okunoin (Nageiredo) designated a National Treasure?
- On March 29, 1952 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Sanbutsuji Temple Okunoin (Nageiredo) (三仏寺奥院(投入堂)) |
|---|---|
| Location | Mitoku, Misasa Town, Tohaku District, Tottori Prefecture |
| Designation | National Treasure (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated National Treasure 1952/03/29 (Showa 27) |
| Quantity | 1 building (with the Aizendo hall, 1 ridge tablet and 43 old timbers) |
| Dimensions | Built out on posts, 1 × 2 bays, single-storey, nagare style, pent and corner pent roofs on both sides |
| 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 Okunoin (Nageiredo) (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/2940
- Mitokusan Sanbutsuji Temple
- https://www.mitokusan.jp/
- Mt. Mitoku buildings (Tottori Prefecture)
- https://www.pref.tottori.lg.jp/33901.htm
- Mt. Mitoku (Japan Tourism Agency multilingual explanation database)
- https://www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/en/H30-00956.html
Last verified: 2026.10.22
