A journey of prayer and discovery

The birthplace of Shugendo
A tradition passed down through generations of believers and villagers

The birthplace of Shugendo

Japan Heritage

Katsuragi
ShugenThe birthplace of Shugendo, a tradition passed down
through generations of believers and villagers
The Katsuragi mountains, which straddle the three prefectures of Wakayama, Osaka, andNara, are where En no Gyoja, considered the founder of Shugendo, first practiced his
ascetic training. This region is thus the birthplace of Shugendo. The 112-kilometer stretchof mountains has long been revered as a home to many deities. En no Gyoja, who trained
here for years, buried each of the 28 chapters of the Lotus Sutra in sutra mounds acrossthe area.
To make a pilgrimage to these sutra mounds, as well as to temples, shrines, waterfalls,
megaliths, and other sites connected to En no Gyoja, is called Katsuragi Shugen. The
area is also dotted with related cultural assets. Registered as a Japan Heritage in June
2020, Katsuragi Shugen not only remains an important training site for Shugendofollowers, but is also a magnet for countless tourists who come to experience the history
and allure of the region.

About
Japan Heritage

A program of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan
Heritage recognizes stories of the traditions andcultures of Japan told through the allure anduniqueness of regional histories. It was establishedin 2015 with the goal of promoting local communities
by utilizing the tangible and intangible culturalproperties that are the basis of these stories.
Katsuragi Shugen is one of the 104 stories that haveso far been recognized as a Japan Heritage.
(As of March 31, 2021)

Contents
Japan Heritage: Katsuragi Shugen

2

Who Was En no Gyoja?

4

Area Map

6

Area 1 Izumi Range

7

Area 2 Kongo Range – East, West, South

18

Notice02

Things to Remember When Walking
the Katsuragi Shugen Trail

20

Area 3 Kongo Range – North23

1-Day Itinerary

28

Cultural Assets Location Map

34

Wide Area Access Map

36

The Katsuragi Shugen Story
Part

1

Part

2

Part

3

Ascetic training begins
by the sea

Training rooted in local
communities

Katsuragi Shugen—
today and tomorrow

The first sutra mound, Johon, is located on
Torajima, one of the four islands of
Tomogashima off the coast of Kada,
Wakayama. Given that Shugendo is a
mountain-focused religion, it’s unusual that
one of its sacred training sites is by theocean.
From nearby Okinoshima Island—where
regular tourists take a ferry to visit—
Shugendo practitioners walk to Torajima
across a rocky stretch that appears only at
low tide. The Shugendo trail that starts
from Tomogashima continues on to Kada,
Wakayama.

Because the mountains of Katsuragi
Shugen are not very high and are relatively
accessible, Katsuragi Shugen’s ties withlocal communities are stronger compared toother Shugendo training routes. Shugendo
practitioners have been deeply involved in
the locals’ faith in these places.
Local villages have households that haveprovided lodging and assistance for
Shugendo practitioners. During Katsuragi
Shugen training in the Edo Period, the Oku
family of Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture
provided lodging for Shugendo practitioners,
as shown by documents related to Shogo-in
Temple found in the household.

To this day, many people go throughKatsuragi Shugen training. While many ofthe destinations require you to clear difficult
obstacles—for example, travel unmapped
paths, climb cliffs, and cross streams—inrecent years you can get close to somesites by car or public transportation. This isa convenient way to begin getting to know
Katsuragi Shugen and to experience
Katsuragi’s beautiful nature, culture, andhistory.

Sutra mound #1 is found on Torajima of Tomogashima

Oku family residence

The Diamond Trail leads to Shugendo training sites

Introduction to Katsuragi Shugen
En no Gyoja

Statue of En no Gyoja (photo
courtesy of Shogo-in Temple,
Shugendo headquarters)

Unique Shugendo attire
Shugendo founder En no Gyoja, whose
real name was En no Ozunu, lived in the
7th and 8th centuries. Many legends
surround him; for example, he is said tohave had supernatural powers thatallowed him to move freely across the sky
and mountains, and he had faithful demon
servants. Two years after making the
Katsuragi mountains an ascetic training
ground, En no Gyoja moved to Mount
Omine, which to Shugendo practitioners
has become just as important as Katsuragi
Shugen.
(See the following pages for more about
En no Gyoja.)

Katsurei-zakki
Published in 1850, the Katsurei-zakki
details things like the 28 sutra mounds andtheir locations and plays a key role inexplaining Katsuragi Shugen to a modern
audience. Shugendo almost ceased toexist when the Meiji government of the late
19th century passed a law to abolish it.
Sacred sites fell into neglect, as did the
Katsurei-zakki (owned bypaths leading to them. After World War II,
Shipporyu-ji Temple)
a movement began to revive Shugendo.
The Katsurei-zakki and other books helped followers conduct surveys andlocate sutra mounds and many other Shugendo sites. The book serves asa guide to today’s Shugendo devotees. Its original printing blocks arepreserved in Shogo-in Temple in Kyoto.

Shugendo costume from
Shogo-in Temple (left) andShipporyu-ji Temple

Because devotees climb wild, rugged
mountains, they have come to wear highly
functional attire—much like today’s
mountaineering wear. Besides being
convenient and allowing easy movement,
the Shugendo outfit also embodies theteachings of the Buddha in various forms.
The outfit comprises clothing and tools.
The main clothing items include an eight
centimeter-wide black skullcap, asuzukake robe on top of a whitebase-layer robe, and a yuigesa sash overthe shoulders. Tools include a horagai
conch shell trumpet used to communicate
in the mountains and a shakujo staff.

Sutra mounds and training sites

Sutra mound #20, Jofukyo
Bosatsuhon at former Ishi-dera
TempleEn no Gyoja likened the mountains of
Katsuragi to the world of Buddhism. He put
each of the 28 chapters of the Lotus Sutra
in a dedicated container and buried themin various places in the mountains. The 28
places where the sutras were buried arecalled kyozuka (sutra mounds) and aresacred sites central to the Katsuragi
Shugen belief system. A pilgrimage tothese 28 sutra mounds is core to Katsuragi
Shugen. The route is also dotted withother places associated with En no Gyoja;
namely, places where he did his ascetic
training. Major training sites can be foundin Meisho Zu-e illustrated guidebooks
published in the Edo Period.

03

A superman like no other

Who WasEn no Gyoja?

En no Gyoja traveled across mountains and devoted his days to ascetic training.
Let’s explore his mysterious life, as shared with us through ancient writings. Get to know
En no Gyoja and dip into the world of Katsuragi Shugen.

Year
634

En no Gyoja was born on New Year’s Day to the Kamo clan in
Yabako Hamlet, Chihara Village, Katsuragi no Kami District, Yamato
Province. His father was named Ohzunu, his mother Shiratoume.
EpisodeAt the age of 17, he established an ascetic training practice in the
Katsuragi mountains.

651

Ascetic training, day and night
Legend has it that En no Gyoja had magicalpowers, such as the ability to commanddemons. He mastered the magic spells of
the deity Kujaku Myo-o and used his
supernatural powers to move freely acrossthe mountains, engaging in ascetic practice.
In so doing, he laid the foundations of the
Shugendo religion.

After a thousand days of training, he had a vision of Zao
Gongen, the principal deity of Mount Omine.

671

He reformed two demons of Mount Ikoma, who had been tormenting the locals, and made them his servants.

672

Episode673
686

He established Kongosan-ji Temple at the foot of the
Katsuragi mountains.
He converted his birthplace into a temple called
Chihara-ji (or Kisshoso-ji).

From the moment he is born, En no
Gyoja has mysterious powers.
En no Gyoja’s mother had a dream one night of swallowing amysterious object resembling a brightly glowing vajra (a ritual
weapon). The following year, in 634, she gave birth to a baby boy
who was given the name Ozunu. As he grew up, the boy naturally
mastered the spellsof the deity Kujaku
Myo-o andperformed magicaldeeds on the locals.
En no Gyoja was an
extraordinary child.
Instead of playing
with other children,
he crafted Buddhist
pagodas andstatues out of mud
and spent his days
worshipping them.

04

He returned to his birthplace andleft his last words with a disciple
After returning from Izu-oshima Island in 701, En no
Gyoja gave his last words to his disciple, Hongyo, at
Kisshoso-ji Temple in Chihara (present-day Chihara,
Gose City, Nara Prefecture). These were his final
words: “My life will end this year, but I bequeath thedharma to future generations. Those who experience
the dharma will encounter me.”Two demons become servants of En no Gyoja. Theirdescendants still follow their master’s teachings today.
A pair of demons living on Mount Ikoma had been kidnapping and devouring children from anearby village. When En no Gyoja was 39 years old, the villagers pleaded with him to kill thedemons. He went into the mountains, caught the demons’ child, and hid it inside his clothing.
The demons cried and begged to have their child returned, but En no Gyoja admonished themfor their lack of empathy with the parents of thevillage. The creatures changed their ways andbecame En no Gyoja’s servants. He made thempromise they would support Shugendo followers
even after his death and had them devote
themselves to ascetic practice. The husband wasnamed Zenki and the wife Goki. They are often
depicted alongside En no Gyoja as objects ofworship.
Nakatsugawa in Kinokawa hosts the Katsuragi
Kanjo ritual (see page 12). To this day, a family
based there manages the site and maintains thetrail for Shugendo followers. Believed to be thedescendants of one of the five children of Zenki
and Goki, they have kept their ancestors’ promiseand continued to support Shugendo followers intheir training.

Hitokotonushi hits back at En no Gyoja for ordering him to build a bridgeto Yoshino. Conflict ensues.
Using his supernatural powers, En no Gyoja ordered Hitokotonushi of Katsuragi to “Go to Mount Kinpusen in
Yoshino night and day and follow the deity Zao Bosatsu. Make a bridge out of mist, so we can travel between
Mount Katsuragi and Mount Kinpusen.” Hitokotonushi protested: “My face is ugly. I’m ashamed to be seen,” andhe would only work at night. According to legend, the boulders collected for this bridge-building are the Fudoyama
no Kyoseki Boulders (see page 17).

Questions about
En no Gyoja
Did he really exist?

En no Gyoja is banished to Izu-oshimaIsland on false charges, but travels aroundmagically by night.
En no Gyoja had a disciple named Karakuni no Muraji Hirotari, who wasstruggling with his ascetic training and who blamed his master for giving
poor guidance. He slandered En no Gyoja, telling the imperial court that
he was misleading people and trying to destroy the nation. En no Gyoja
was banished to Izu-oshima Island. During the day, he obeyed the ban
on ascetic training. But at night, he magically transported himself toplaces like Hakone, Enoshima, and Mount Fuji to continue his training.
Later, it was found that Karakuni’s allegations were false. En no Gyoja
was acquitted and returned to Katsuragi.

695

Using his supernatural powers, he ordered the deity Hitokotonushi toform a bridge made of mist between Mount Katsuragi and Mount
Kinpusen in Yoshino. *1

Who were En no Gyoja’s
family?

Episode699

He was banished to Izu-oshima Island
based on the false allegations ofKarakuni no Muraji Hirotari. *2
EpisodeStruck by a sword,
to no avail
Sentenced to death, En no Gyoja
quietly accepted his fate. But whenthe executioner’s sword struck him,
it broke and left him unharmed. En
no Gyoja then licked the broken
sword, and it turned into droplets ofsweet rice syrup.

700

Following further false allegations
shared with the emperor by Karakuni no
Muraji Hirotari, he was sentenced todeath. *2

701

On New Year’s Day, he was acquitted of all charges and returned to the capital.
After leaving his last words with a disciple, legend has it that around midnight onJune 7, he either vanished without a trace or put his mother in an iron bowl andtogether left for Tang, China. He was 68 years old.
EpisodeEven after En no Gyoja’s death,
Shugendo practitioners and locals passon the Katsuragi Shugen tradition.

It’s certain that En no Gyoja did exist,
because he is mentioned in the Shoku
Nihongi, an official record of thehistory of Japan compiled 1,300 years
ago. He is described as a natural-born
erudite, and many legends about him
were created by later generations offollowers. As to what kind of person
he really was, we can only speculate.
In 1799, Emperor Kokaku bestowed
upon him the posthumous title Jinben
Daibosatsu (Great Bodhisattva
Jinben). Numerous sacred sites andobjects related to him remain today.
One example is a statue of the deity
Juichimen Kannon Bosatsu that was
supposedly carved by En no Gyoja as
he prayed for his mother’s recovery
from illness (see page 16).

At the foot of Mount Katsuragi, there
was a woman named Shiratoume who
lived with a vassal named
Kotokatsuragikimi, whose distantancestor was the deity Susanoo no
Mikoto. The family took Ohzunu, a
son of Futoe of the Kamo clan in
Izumo, as Shiratoume’s husband.
These are En no Gyoja’s parents.
Later, Ohzunu divorced his wife andwent back to Izumo, and En no Gyoja
took good care of his mother. On theplace where he was born stands
Kisshoso-ji Temple (see page 22).

Why is he called the founderof Shugendo?
En no Gyoja was not officiallyordained as a monk in the Buddhist
monastic order. Rather, he committed
himself to ascetic training as anubasoku (a lay devotee of Buddhism)
and passed what he acquired on to
future generations. During the Heianand Kamakura periods (8th to 14th
centuries), the many ascetic hermit
followers gradually organized theirreligion. In the process, En no Gyoja
came to be venerated as the founderof Shugendo.

Before leaving this world, En no Gyoja left a message with his
disciple to save the people. His teachings live on, and not only
among Shugendo practitioners. They remain embedded in the faithand lives of local people. One example is the Mukai family in Kada,
Wakayama, who provide lodging for Shugendo followers. Katsuragi
Shugen is all about Shugendo practitioners and the locals
preserving the tradition and passing it on to future generations.

Source: *1 En no Gyoja Honki (“Biography of En no Gyoja”); *2 En no Gyoja Godenki Zu-e (“Illustrated Biography of En no Gyoja”)
There are many theories as to the dates and anecdotes relating to En no Gyoja. This booklet is based on a variety of folkloric and literary sources.
Reference: Shoku Nihongi; En no Gyoja Honki; En no Gyoja Godenki Zu-e; “A Collection of Life Stories of En no Gyoja” (author Buhei Zenitani, publisher Toho Shuppan);“An Introduction to Yamabushi” (editorial supervisor Tainen Miyagi, publisher Tankosha Publishing)05

Japan Heritage Katsuragi Shugen

Area Map
The Izumi Range runs east to west along the boundary of Osaka and Wakayama Prefectures.
The Kongo Range stretches north to south, dividing Osaka and Nara Prefectures. This 112-kilometer
stretch of mountains and Tomogashima in the west of Wakayama Prefecture are the birthplace of
Shugendo. Why not make your own little pilgrimage to the many historical sites that remain to this day?

Note: Numbers ① to ㉘ mark the locations of the 28 sutra mounds. See pages 34 and 35 for the exact locations.

Izumi Range
Wakayama City

Kongo Range

East, West, South

North

P8

Izumisano City

P13

Kawachinagano City

P19

Kanan Town

P24

Misaki Town

P10

Kishiwada City

P14

Chihayaakasaka Village

P20

Taishi Town

P24

Hannan City

P11

Izumi City

P15

Gojo City

P21

Katsuragi City

P25

Iwade City

P11

Katsuragi Town

P16

Gose City

P22

Kashiba City

P26

Kinokawa City

P12

Hashimoto CityP17

Oji Town

P27

Kashiwara City

P27

Area by color:

06

Kongo Range

Wakayama Prefecture

Osaka Prefecture

Nara Prefecture

Touring Katsuragi Shugen

Wakayama Prefecture

Osaka Prefecture

Wakayama City

Izumisano City
Kishiwada City
Izumi City

Osaka Prefecture

Area

1

Izumi Range

Misaki Town
Hannan City
Wakayama Prefecture

Iwade City
Kinokawa City↸

Inquiries 
Address 
Hours
Wakayama Prefecture

Katsuragi Town
Hashimoto City

ClosedParking
Fee/admission

Note: Foreign language assistance may not be available for all inquiries and facilities.

07

Wakayama Prefecture

Wakayama City

The birthplace of Shugendo—
Training sites and cultural
assets dot the mountains eastof Tomogashima.

Kannen-kutsu Cavern
The second Shugendo training site established by En no Gyoja, on Tomogashima Islands. Located on an
ocean-facing cliff on Torajima Island and formed by the action of waves over time, the cave contains a stonemonument that is believed to have been carved by Doko-hosshinno, who served as chief priest of Shogo-in
Temple, the head temple of Shugendo.
 Wakayama City Tourism Department 073-435-1234 ↸ Kada, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Not easily accessible  None  Map P34 A1

Kada Kasuga-jinja Shrine

Kishu Kadaura Saito Daigomaku Ritual

The shrine is said to have been moved to its current
location by Kuwayama Shigeharu (a retainer ofwarlord Hashiba Hidenaga) during the Tensho era(1573 to 1592). Legend holds that En no Gyoja, who
was using Tomogashima Islands as a sacredtraining site, prayed to the shrine’s god as a
guardian deity. For this reason, the head priest of
Shogo-in Temple joins large numbers of Shugendo
practitioners to make a pilgrimage here every April.

In the past, it was traditional in Kada to perform a
Daigomaku ritual below Kada Ajigamine Gyoja-do tocoincide with the departure of monks to themountains at Shogo-in Temple. In 2015 this historic
practice was revived by a local group. It is extremely
unusual for this ancient ritual to be performed with anocean backdrop.
 Wakayama City Tourism Department 073-435-1234↸ Kada, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Please inquire in advance  None  Map P34 B2

 Shrine office 073-459-0368 ↸ 1343 Kada, Wakayama-shi,
Wakayama Prefecture  9:00 to 17:00  5 spaces
 Map P34 B2

Ajigamine Gyoja-do
Gyoja-do played an important role as the place
where Shugendo practitioners stayed before
crossing to training sites on Tomogashima Islands,
and many pilgrims continue to visit today. From its
hilltop vantage point, it offers panoramic views of
Kada and the Kitan Strait.
 Wakayama City Tourism Department 073-435-1234↸ 242 Kada, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime  None
 Map P34 B2

Tourist spots
Savor fresh local seafood

08

Locally sourced, healthy seasonalflavors

Enjoy the bounty of the sea
at Kada port

Fresh Fish
Cuisine Inasa

Tsubura Cafe

EbisuyaEstablished in 1951, this restaurant is located in frontof Kada port. Enjoy fresh seafood, including red sea
bream—a local specialty.

An old Japanese house, renovated and turned into acafe. Treat yourself to Japanese sweets, lunches,and more—all made with wholesome ingredients.

An eatery right by the ferry terminal for
Tomogashima. Popular choices include rice bowls
and set meals with fresh fish from Kada port.

 073-459-0118↸ 196 Kada, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture 11:00 to 14:30, 17:00 to 20:00 (order by 20:00)
 Closed irregularly (open on Sat., Sun., public holidays). Pleaseinquire in advance.  10 spaces  Map P34 B2

 073-459-2611↸ 1070-91 Kada, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture 10:00 to 17:00 (order by 17:00)  Thur., Fri. (Will be open on
these days if you call in advance.)  6 spaces
 Map P34 B2

 073-481-2282↸ 211 Kada, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture 10:30 to 17:00 (reservations required for 17:00 to 21:00)
 Tues., Wed. (in line with Tomogashima Ferry timetable) 3 spaces  Map P34 B2

Touring Katsuragi Shugen

Area 1 Izumi Range

Hakanotani Gyoja-do
Located in the mountains north of Musota and to thenortheast of Hon’ei-ji Temple, Hakanotani Gyoja-do isbelieved by some to be sutra mound #3. The Kii
Zoku-fudoki describes the site as housing the tomb of
En no Gyoja’s mother. Pilgrims can still be seen at thesite on the 7th day of each month to commemorate theanniversary of the mother’s death. Many parents prayat this temple for their children’s future.

Other cultural assets
Site of Akai Well (Akai-ato)
The site of Akai Well is one of five training
sites remaining on Tomogashima Islands.
The well is believed to have provided springwater with which Shugendo practitioners
purified themselves before making thecrossing to Torajima Island.

 Wakayama City Tourism Department 073-435-1234↸ Nougawa, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P34 C4

Daifukusan Hon’ei-ji Temple (Nougawa Kannon)
This temple was founded by En no Gyoja. It ispopularly known as “Kannon-san of Nougawa.”
The statue of Senju Sengen Kannon Bosatsu inthe main hall is said to be the work of En no
Gyoja himself. The temple, which later became
an official temple of the imperial court at theorder of Emperor Kanmu, inspired broad faithamong worshipers.
 Temple office 073-461-2715↸ 2436 Nougawa, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P34 B5

 Wakayama City Tourism Department 073-435-1234↸ Kada, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P34 A1

Shinja-ike Pond
Located in the center of Okinoshima Island,
this place is one of the ascetic training sitesthat remain on the four islands of
Tomogashima. According to legend, a dragon
lives here.
 Wakayama City Tourism Department 073-435-1234↸ Kada, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime  None
 Map P34 A1

Tsurugino-ike Pond on Kamishima Island
Located on Kamishima Island, this place is
one of the ascetic training sites that remain on
the four islands of Tomogashima. It gets its
name (“Sword Pond”) from a legend that says
En no Gyoja obtained a sword from the pondon the island.
 Wakayama City Tourism Department 073-435-1234↸ Kada, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Access limited to a spot on Okinoshima Island thatallows worship from a distance  None  Map P34 A1

Kada Awashima-jinja Shrine
Legend has it that the history of this shrine
can be traced back to Empress Jingu, who
prayed for the deities Sukunahikona no
Mikoto and Ooanamuchi no Mikoto, who
resided on Tomogashima, to appear in Kada.
Shugendo practitioners pray here before
crossing to Tomogashima.
 Shrine office 073-459-0043↸ Kada, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture 9:00 to 17:00  15 spaces (first 30 minutes free,then 550 yen per hour)  Map P34 B2

Narutakisan Enmyo-ji Temple (Narutaki Fudoson)
Located at the foot of Mount Fudatate on the border between Osaka Prefecture andWakayama Prefecture, this temple belongs to the Myoshin-ji Temple branch of the Rinzai
Zen school of Buddhism. The temple began as a sacred training site, where En no Gyoja
is said to have buried the third chapter of the Lotus Sutra. Numerous pilgrims from
Wakayama Prefecture and beyond gather during a ritual on the 28th of each month.
Here, Shugendo practitioners hold a Goma fire ritual and the chief priest performs a ritual
known as Miso-fuji.
 Temple office 073-461-3085 ↸ 2 Sonobe, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture (Fudo-do: 1637 Sonobe,
Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture)  Wood for ritual offering: 200 yen each; amulets: 1,000 yen each, etc.
 Visit anytime (The Narutaki Fudo Myo-o Ritual is held from 7:00 to 15:00 on the 28th of each month.) 10 spaces  Map P34 B5

Sutra mounds in the area
Tomogashima Johon
Sutra mound #1. En no Gyoja establishedfive training sites on Tomogashima Islands,a place that crops up in Japanese
mythology. Johon on Torajima is thestarting point of the 28-station Katsuragi
Shugen trail.
 Wakayama City Tourism Department 073-435-1234↸ Kada, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Not easily accessible  None  Map P34 A1

Mt. Daifuku Hiyuhon / Mt. Unzan Hiyuhon
There are two theories as to the location ofsutra mound #3. One is that it is near thesummit of Mount Daifuku, as described inold documents like the Katsurei-zakki and
the Shozan-engi. Mount Daifuku isassociated with Hon’ei-ji Temple.
 Wakayama City Tourism Department 073-435-1234↸ Nougawa, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P34 B4/C4

Ebi-matsuri Festival at Kada Kasuga-jinja Shrine
The festival is held regularly at Kada
Kasuga-jinja Shrine. Today, it consists of aprocession with a portable shrine by town
residents on the third Saturday of May.
 Shrine office 073-459-0368↸ 1343 Kada, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Please inquire in advance None Map P34 B2

Jogyo-ji Temple
Tradition holds that this ancient temple wasrebuilt during the Tensho era. The principal
image of Kada-ji Temple, a depiction of three
Buddhas, was moved to Jogyo-ji after Kada-ji
was destroyed by fire. Kada-ji was built at theorder of Emperor Daigo (early 10th century).
 Wakayama City Tourism Department 073-435-1234↸ 1523 Kada, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P34 B2

Sainen-ji Temple
This ancient temple belongs to the Seizan
Jodo school of Buddhism. It is believed
Shinpuku-ji Temple—the location of sutra
mound #2—was transferred here. The
Kannon-do hall contains statues of Juichimen
Kannon Bosatsu and En no Gyoja.
 073-455-1922 ↸ 905 Nishinosho, Wakayama-shi,
Wakayama Prefecture  Visit anytime  5 spaces(to the east of the temple)  Map P34 A5

Site of Nakayama-oji Shrine
Nakayama-oji Shrine was one of the Kumano
Kujuku-oji shrines. Located at the entrance tothe hamlet of Takihata, it’s likely that long
ago, people visited the shrine on their way
back from pilgrimages to Kumano.
 Wakayama City Tourism Department 073-435-1234↸ Takihata, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime  None
 Map P34 C4

09

Osaka Prefecture

Misaki Town
Home to statues of Kannon andBosatsu believed to be theworks of En no Gyoja. Even his
mother’s grave is said to be
here.

Kosen-ji Temple (Kyoshi Kannon)
The principal object of worship is a statue of the Juichimen Kannon Bosatsu deity, which is believed to be the workof En no Gyoja. This statue is usually concealed from public view. So a mock Kannon Bosatsu statue has beenplaced in front of the zushi, the miniature shrine that houses the real statue. On the temple grounds are the
Gyoja-do hall and a stone monument engraved with writing about the 28 Katsuragi sutra mounds. Behind the main
hall is a stone mini shrine—which houses a statue of En no Gyoja—and a stone monument assumed to mark thegrave of En no Gyoja’s mother.
 Misaki Town Industry and Tourism Department 072-492-2730 ↸ 1464 Kyoshi, Misaki-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P34 B4

Sutra mounds in the area

Hobenhon at former Shinpuku-ji
Temple (Ninoshuku Kannondo)
Jigen-in Temple (Kannon-ji Temple)
The temple is known to locals as “Kannon-ji”. It’s the second of the 28 prayer stations on
the Katsuragi Shugen pilgrimage trail. The temple’s Kannon statue is believed to be thework of En no Gyoja himself and is usually concealed from public view. The Jizo-do hallnext to the main hall used to be the Kannon-do hall in the olden days. Inside is a statue ofthe deity Jizo Bosatsu from the Tensho era.
 Misaki Town Industry and Tourism Department 072-492-2730↸ Tanagawa-nishibata, Misaki-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka Prefecture  Visit anytime  None  Map P34 A5

According to the Katsurei-zakki, Shinpuku-ji Temple had aJuichimen Kannon Buddhist statue, a stone on which En no Gyoja
meditated, a pond called Zennyoga-ike, and a building dedicated tothe temple’s priests. The old guidebook also noted that the temple
was the location of sutra mound #2. A mini shrine of Izumi
sandstone stands on the former site of the priests’ quarters, andthis is believed to be sutra mound #2.
 Misaki Town Industry and Tourism Department 072-492-2730↸ Tanagawa-nishibata, Misaki-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P34 A5Tourist spots
Fresh seafood, moderately priced

Fresh Seafood
Uotetsu
A fishmonger and restaurant all in one. For an
incredibly low price, you can feast on any of the large
array of freshly caught fish that the shop owner has
bid on at the nearby fish market in Fuke port.
 072-492-3811 ↸ 2326-8 Tanigawa, Tanagawa, Misaki-cho,Sennan-gun, Osaka Prefecture Restaurant 11:00 to 14:00 (order by 14:00), 16:30 to 20:30 (orderby 20:30); fish store 8:00 to 21:00  Mon. evening, Tue.
 9 spaces  Map P34 B4

10

Try a soft and chewy bagel

OuchipanThis shop is renowned for its soft and chewy bagels
made from additive-free dough using domestic flourand soy milk. The more than 200 varieties of bagels
change with the seasons. Try the weekly lunch
specials that feature bagels.
↸ 1423-44 Tanigawa, Tanagawa, Misaki-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka
Prefecture  11:00 to 14:30 (lunch 11:30 to 14:30)
 Sun., Mon., Tues.  20 spaces  Map P34 A4

A place to chill and unwind

Misaki Town
Development
FriendshipCenterThis old, traditional Japanese house is a place forboth locals and visitors to meet. Enjoy lunch or coffee
in this escape from the hurry of daily life.
 Misaki Town Regional Planning Department 072-492-2775↸ 3400-6 Tanigawa, Tanagawa, Misaki-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka
Prefecture Ofukuwake Misaki 11:00 to 16:30 (order by 16:30), opens at 12:00
on Tues.; Misaki Study Room 10:00 to 16:30; Cafe Ciliegio 11:30 to
16:30  Ofukuwake Misaki open Tues., Wed,. and Thurs. on 2nd
and 4th weeks each month; Misaki Study Room open on 3rd Sat.
each month; Cafe Ciliegio open only on the last Mon. each month 4 spaces. We encourage you to come by public transit.
 Map P34 B4

Touring Katsuragi Shugen

Area 1 Izumi Range

Sutra mounds in the area
Osaka Prefecture

Hannan City

Sakura Jizo Shingehon
Sutra mound #4. An Izumi sandstone monument
engraved with “Bun’an 5” (the year 1448) stands in
Hannan’s Yamanakadani area, which neighbors the
Sakaidani area of Iwade City. According to the
Katsurei-zakki, a Shugendo training site called
Iriejuku-jizo was the location of the 4th sutra mound.
This was in Yamanaka Village (now Yamanakadani,
Hannan City). The sutra mound was marked by an
old sakura (cherry blossom) tree, and thus was called
Sakura Jizo.

Yamanakadani, a scenic area insouthern Osaka where the Kumano
Kodo passes through. There’s astone monument near where an old
sakura tree once stood.

 Hannan City Hall 072-471-5678↸ Yamanakadani, Hannan-shi, Osaka Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P34 C4

Tourist spots
Freshly laid eggs, all you can eat!

Bring your own food and drink barbecue

Tamago no
Tamako 2nd

Salad
Paku-paku
BBQ Place

The restaurant is one of the businesses inside an old,
traditional Japanese house. Choose from anextensive menu featuring dishes made with freshlylaid eggs. There are also desserts.

Just bring your own food and drinks. The table, chairs(6 per table), barbecue, wire mesh, tongs, charcoal (2kg), and starter fluid are all here. Reserve at least
three days in advance.

 — ↸ 246 Yamanakadani, Hannan-shi, Osaka Prefecture 11:00 to 17:00 Sat., Sun., public holidays
 Weekdays  3 spaces  Map P34 C4

 072-473-2100 ↸ 119-8 Yamanakadani, Hannan-shi, Osaka
Prefecture  10:00 to 16:00 (enter by 14:00)  3rd Wed. eachmonth, and November through March  140 spaces  Map P34 C4

Enjoy a shake with a specialty hot dog

Café Nacley
The cafe is a 300-year-old renovated traditional
Japanese house. Enjoy a shake or smoothie, or a hot
dog made with the choicest ingredients.
 —↸ 246 Yamanakadani, Hannan-shi, Osaka Prefecture Check their social media for the latest information
 Tues., 3rd Wed. each month 3 spaces  Map P34 C4

Tourist spots
Take an easygoing journey
through history

Wakayama Prefecture

Iwade City

Hatsuhana Kominka
Cafe & Restaurant
Old Drawing of Negoro-ji Temple

Gyoja-do, which enshrines En no
Gyoja, and other valuable cultural
assets related to Katsuragi Shugen
have been carefully preserved.

This drawing depicts the precincts of Negoro-ji Temple
during the latter half of the Muromachi Period. The work
is believed to date sometime after 1690, when the Daishi(“great master”) title was conferred posthumously upon
the priest Kakuban Shonin. The inclusion of a pathleading into sacred mountains in the drawing indicatesthat the beliefs of Katsuragi Shugen had been accepted.
The drawing has been designated a Cultural Property by
Wakayama Prefecture, and a replica is on display at the
Negoro Museum of History.
 Negoro-ji Temple office 0736-62-1144 ↸ 2286 Negoro, Iwade-shi,
Wakayama Prefecture (Negoro-ji Temple)  500 yen (Negoro-ji Temple)
 April through October 9:10 to 16:30; November through March 9:10 to
16:00 pm (Negoro-ji Temple; access may be restricted during Buddhist
services and on other occasions)  80 spaces (Negoro-ji Temple)
 Map P34 C5 (Negoro-ji Temple)

Negoro-ji Temple
Negoro-ji Temple, the head temple of the Shingi Shingon school ofesoteric Buddhism, was founded by Kakuban Shonin (known
posthumously as Kogyo Daishi), who is considered to have revived
the Shingon sect. Considering its origin as Bufuku-ji, which was
designated the 34th stop on the Katsuragi pilgrimage, the temple has
deep connections to Katsuragi Shugen. The temple’s expansive
precincts are dotted with valuable cultural assets, including the
Gyoja-do, which enshrines En no Gyoja (given the posthumous title
Jinben Daibosatsu) and Daito Pagoda, a National Treasure andJapan’s largest wooden two-story pagoda.
 Negoro-ji Temple office 0736-62-1144 ↸ 2286 Negoro, Iwade-shi, Wakayama
Prefecture  500 yen  April through October 9:10 to 16:30; November through March
9:10 to 16:00 pm (Access may be restricted during Buddhist services and on otheroccasions.)  80 spaces  Map P34 C5

The century-plus-old cherry-wood pillars
help create a quaint atmosphere inwhich you can enjoy lunch or desserts
made with seasonal ingredients.
 0736-61-3899 ↸ 2185 Higashidani, Negoro, Iwade-shi,
Wakayama Prefecture  Lunch 11:00 to 15:00, cafe 10:00 to
18:00  December 26 to 31  10 spaces  Map P34 C5

Same-day freshly picked vegetables

Negoro Sakura no Sato
Roadside Station
From the farm to you, freshly picked
Iwade vegetables! Fresh produce
you can trust—sold by the farmers
themselves. This popular spot also
sells local processed favorites.
 0736-69-0210 ↸ 37-1 Oshigawa, Iwade-shi, Wakayama
Prefecture  9:00 to 18:00 (closes at 17:00 October throughMarch)  1st Tues. each month  43 spaces  Map P34 C4

An extensive selection of
Wakayama specialties

Negoro Rekishi no Oka
Roadside Station
Besides the Iwade City specialties
you expect, you’ll also find all the
major Wakayama Prefecture
souvenirs. Visit the on-site museum toexperience Iwade history and culture.
 0736-61-1160 ↸ 2020-1 Negoro, Iwade-shi, Wakayama
Prefecture  9:00 to 17:00 (varies depending on store)
 Tues. (open public holidays; varies depending on store)
 76 spaces  Map P34 C5

11

Sutra mounds in the area
Mt. Kuratani
Yakuso-yuhon

Wakayama Prefecture

Kinokawa City
Ascetic training sites central to
Katsuragi Shugen, such as
Nakatsugawa Gyoja-do andKokawa-dera Temple, can befound.

Kumano-jinja Shrine
Home to the guardian deity of Nakatsugawa, thisshrine is an important Shugendo training site.
According to an account in the Kii Shokufudoki (an early 19th century geography record),
Shogo-in Temple repaired the shrine after it was
damaged: “Shogo-in made repairs when theshrine was damaged. Every year the leaders of
Shogo-in Temple and Sanbo-in Temple pray
before god and perform a Daigoma ritual.” Thisritual is currently performed only at Nakatsugawa
Gyoja-do but an illustrated map reveals that it
used to be held at Kumano-jinja Shrine.
 Kinokawa City Tourism Department 0736-77-0843↸ Nakatsugawa, Kinokawa-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P34 D4

Kokawa-dera Temple
Kokawa-dera Temple was founded by a local hunternamed Otomo no Kujiko in 770. The temple appears
in the Shozan-engi, a record of Shugendo mountains
compiled in the early Kamakura Period, and from thiswe see that the temple has long been a Shugendotraining site. Even today, numerous Shugendo
practitioners from Shogo-in Temple visit Kokawadera Temple every spring for their ascetic training.
It is known as the third of the 33 temples of the
Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage.
 Kokawa-dera Temple main hall 0736-73-4830 ↸ Kokawa, Kinokawa-shi, Wakayama Prefecture  Admission to the temple grounds isfree of charge (although visitors must pay 400 yen to enter the main hall)  8:00 to 17:00  100 spaces (fee applies)  Map P34 D5

 Kinokawa City Tourism
Department 0736-77-0843↸ Nishi-yamada, Kinokawa-shi,
Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime None Map P34 D4

Sutra mound #5. At the top of Mount Kuratani is astone monument engraved with the bonji script
representing the Buddhist deity Fudo Myo-o.
According to a Shugendo training record of the
mid-Edo Period, the sutra mound was at Enmyo-ji
Temple, a part of the Negoro-ji Temple complex.
But another source, the Katsurei-zakki written in1849 by the priest Chiko, notes that the sutra
mound is on Mount Kuratani. Taken together, theevidence suggests that the sutra mound wastransferred.

Shino-toge Pass
Jukihon Kinokawa City Tourism
Department 0736-77-0843↸ Jinzu, Kinokawa-shi,
Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime None  Map P34 D4

Sutra mound #6. Shino-toge Pass is at theintersection of two routes: one going from Mount
Kuratani to sutra mound #7 in Nakatsugawa, andthe other going from Sakura-ike Pond to Kokawadera Temple. The sutra mound located near the
pass is marked by a heap of rocks and a boulder
engraved with the kanji for “sutra mound” and thebonji script representing the Buddha Shaka Nyorai.

Nakatsugawa
Kejo-yuhon

Nakatsugawa Gyoja-do
Nakatsugawa, which is also known as“Chudai,” plays a central role in
Katsuragi Shugen. Nakatsugawa
Gyoja-do holds the Katsuragi Kanjo
ritual, in which the title of yamabushi
is conferred upon followers by
Shogo-in (the head temple of
Shugendo in Kyoto). In the Katsureizakki guidebook, written in 1849 by
the priest Chiko, it is introduced as
Nakatsugawa Koso-do, where En no
Gyoja is enshrined.

 Kinokawa City Tourism Department 0736-77-0843 ↸ Nakatsugawa, Kinokawa-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P34 D4

Tourist spots
A facility honoring the achievements of Hanaoka Seishu

Seishu no Sato Roadside Station
Flower Hill Museum
This facility exhibits valuable documents related to Hanaoka Seishu, aJapanese surgeon whose accomplishments include the world’s firstbreast cancer operation under general anesthesia. There’s also a
restaurant and a shop.
 0736-75-6008 ↸ 473 Nishinoyama, Kinokawa-shi, Wakayama Prefecture  9:00 to 17:00  Tues. (open public holidays, closed
following Wed.), year-end/New Year holidays  48 spaces (2 for disabled)  Map P35 E5

12 Kinokawa City Tourism
Department 0736-77-0843↸ Nakatsugawa, Kinokawa-shi,
Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime None  Map P34 D4

Sutra mound #7 is found on a ridge to thenorthwest of Nakatsugawa Gyoja-do andKumano-jinja Shrine—two places that play acentral role in Katsuragi Shugen. The stone thatmarks the sutra mound is engraved with a prayer
for a bountiful harvest. A second engraving
indicates the year of 1751.

Mine no Ryu-o
Jugaku-mugakuninkihon
 Kinokawa City Tourism
Department 0736-77-0843↸ Kirihata, Kinokawa-shi,
Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime
 Paid parking available nearby
 Map P35 E4

Sutra mound #9 is located at the top of Mount
Izumi-Katsuragi. The mountain inspires reverence
among the locals, as it is a water source for thecrop-growing region across Kinokawa and Osaka.
In the Shozan-engi, a record of Shugendo
mountains compiled in the early Kamakura Period,
the site is referred to as Ryu no Shuku. The Kii
Shoku-fudoki (an Edo Period geography record)
describes the place as a mountain ascetic trainingsite located in the Katsuragi mountains at theborder of the Senshu region, on the route for
Ushitaki (Senshu) and Osaka. From thesedescriptions, we can infer that it was a Shugendotraining site and was once a key transit point.

Touring Katsuragi Shugen

Other cultural assets

Osaka Prefecture

Izumisano City

The rural landscapeof Hinenosho Ogi

Hibashiri-jinja Shrine
The location of one of the oldest
monuments of the 28 sutra
mounds, and a place where
many women Shugendo
practitioners train.

Area 1 Izumi Range

Hibashiri-jinja Shrine is the head shrine of
Hinenosho Iriyamada Village and wascatalogued in an ancient shrine register.
The shrine is dedicated to Kagutsuchi no
Mikoto, a god of fire, and legend holds thatits name derives from an ancient ritual inwhich priests would run through flames.
 072-459-7511 ↸ Ogi, Izumisano-shi, Osaka
Prefecture  Visit anytime  None  Map P34 D4

The Ogi district of
Izumisano is blessed with
abundant nature. The area
became the first site in
Osaka Prefecture to bechosen as a nationally
Important CulturalLandscape in recognition of farmland and settlementsthat take advantage of the area’s mountain-basin
topography, the natural environment, shrines andtemples connected to Hinenosho (a national HistoricSite), and related historical documents.
 — ↸ Ogi, Izumisano-shi, Osaka Prefecture Visit anytime  None

Masamoto-ko Tabihikitsuke

Inunakisan (Shipporyu-ji Temple)
Founded by En no Gyoja in 661, Shipporyu-ji Temple isthe location of Katsuragi Shugen sutra mound #8. It isalso a training site of central importance in Shugendo.
The temple is also known as Nyonin Omine (“women’ssacred mountain”) and accepts female Shugendotrainees. Many people from across Japan visit thenature-rich temple for ascetic training.
 Shipporyu-ji Temple main hall 072-459-7101↸ 8 Ogi, Izumisano-shi, Osaka Prefecture 7:30 to 16:30  Open year-round 50 spaces  Map P34 D4

Masamoto-ko Tabihikitsuke
is a diary that records
events during Kujo
Masamoto’s time as feudal
lord in charge of the
Hinenosho manor from1501 to 1504. Authored by
Masamoto himself and filled with specific records ofwhat he saw and heard during his visit to the estate,
the work is a rare historical source. The original
belongs to the Archives and Mausolea Department of
the Imperial Household Agency, and a replica can befound at the Izumisano History Museum.
(Photo courtesy of the Archives and Mausolea
Department, Imperial Household Agency)

Seven waterfalls, including
Gyoja no Taki Falls

Oku Family Residence

Of the waterfalls in themountains of Shipporyu-ji
Temple, seven of them werenamed as a way to laud themiraculous success ofEmperor Junna’s prayers forrain. These seven falls
figure into the temple’s name, which literally means“temple of seven treasured waterfalls.” People
meditate under the Gyoja no Taki waterfall, where En
no Gyoja and Kukai once did.

The Oku Family Residence was the home of a wealthy farming family
who came back to the area to resume a life of farming in 1616. The
Oku family served as the headman of Kashii Village during the Edo
Period. The buildings and site have all been designated Important
Cultural Properties of Japan.
 — ↸ 193 Minami-nakakashii, Izumisano-shi, Osaka Prefecture Interior spaces are not open to the public  None  Map P34 C3

Sutra mounds in the area
Inunakisan Shipporyu-ji Reishogatake Gohyakudeshi-jukihon

 Shipporyu-ji Temple main hall 072-459-7101 ↸ 8 Ogi,
Izumisano-shi, Osaka Prefecture  7:30 to 16:30
 Open year-round  50 spaces  Map P34 D4

Katsurei-zakki

Sutra mound #8 is found on the summit of Tomyogadake, a
558-meter-high mountain to the south of Shipporyu-ji Temple.
On a stone altar you’ll see a stone mini shrine and an itabi(stone tablet memorial). The itabi is engraved with the year
1459, making this one of the oldest monuments of the 28 sutra
mounds. Along the trail are ascetic training sites, creating thekind of solemn air you’d expect in Shugendo mountains.

In 1850, the priest Chikorecorded his survey of the
28 sutra mounds of
Katsuragi in an effort torevitalize Katsuragi Shugen.
The book sought to define
the names and locations ofsutra mounds and training sites, which had been fluid
until that time, through a series of comparative
hypotheses.

 Shipporyu-ji Temple main hall 072-459-7101 ↸ Ogi, Izumisano-shi, Osaka
Prefecture  Visit anytime  None  Map P34 D4

Tourist spots
Osaka Prefecture’s foremost
hot spring: Inunakiyama Onsen

Inunaki Onsen
CenterThis hot spring is said to be effective against ailments
such as rheumatism, neuralgia, gastrointestinal
problems, and skin diseases. It also beautifies theskin; a bath in the gentle waters will leave you feelingsmooth and silky all over.
 072-459-7208 ↸ 2238 Ogi, Izumisano-shi, Osaka Prefecture 9:00 to 17:00 (open until 18:00 on Sun. and public holidays)
 Open year-round  30 spaces  Map P34 D4

Hot spring inn amidst
abundant nature

Lovingly made lunch
in a quiet hot-spring lodging

Minamitei

Fudouguchikan

This inn sits amidst the Inunakiyama hot spring
village. Day visitors can enjoy the inn’s lunch, a tasty
feast made with fresh, seasonal ingredients andmeticulously presented.

Savor a scrumptious lunch made with incredibly fresh
ingredients such as local farm-grown Senshu
vegetables.

 072-459-7336 ↸ 2236 Ogi, Izumisano-shi, Osaka Prefecture Lunch 11:00 to 15:00  Open year-round  30 spaces
 Map P34 D4

 072-459-7326 ↸ 7 Ogi, Izumisano-shi, Osaka Prefecture Lunch 11:00 to 15:00  Open year-round  Yes
 Map P34 D4

13

Osaka Prefecture

Kishiwada City

Villages at the foot of Mount
Izumi-Katsuragi and Mount
Konoyama carry on the
tradition.

Katsuragi-odori Dance
Katsuragi-odori originated in an Edo Period dance that was performed to pray for rain or express gratitude forrain. It was performed by people from five villages located at the foot of Mount Izumi-Katsuragi. The villages
were inhabited by parishioners of Hachidai-ryuo Shrine, which was located at the peak of the mountain. The
dance fell out of practice, before being revived in Tonohara Village and designated an Intangible Cultural
Property by Kishiwada City in 1956 and an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Osaka Prefecture in 1993. Latein the afternoon on August 14 every year, children dressed in beautiful festive clothing dance and festive musicis played on the grounds of Miroku-ji Temple in Tonohara.
 Kishiwada City Tourism Department 072-423-9486 ↸ Tonohara-cho, Kishiwada-shi, Osaka Prefecture Map P35 E3

Amefuri no Taki Falls at
Ogami-jinja Shrine
Amefuri no Taki Falls is located on the upper
reaches of the Tsuda River where it flows past
Ogami-jinja Shrine, which is situated at the footof Mount Konoyama. When Emperor Yozei
ordered Sugawara no Michizane to pray for rain
during a severe drought in 884, it was foundthat making an offering of water from the falls
consistently led to rainfall, despite the dryweather. As a result, the shrine is also known
as Amefuri Daimyojin (“great god of rainfall”).
The surrounding greenery, designated a Natural
Monument by Kishiwada City, and the waterfall
have together been chosen as one of the “100Beautiful Green Spaces” of Osaka Prefecture.
 Kishiwada City Tourism Department 072-423-9486↸ Habutaki-cho, Kishiwada-shi, Osaka Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P34 D3

 Visit anytime  None

Sutra mounds in the area
Dai-itoku-ji Temple Hosshihon
Sutra mound #10. Dai-itoku-ji Temple is said to havebeen founded by En no Gyoja. On the temple grounds
is a large stone engraved with bonji script. The
Katsurei-zakki mentions that a stone believed to be
sutra mound #10 is found within the temple gate. The
Izumi Meisho Zu-e of the Edo Period tells how En no
Gyoja first came here, trained under a waterfall, carved
a statue of the Buddhist deity Fudoson, and enshrined
it here. The two-story pagoda on the precincts has
been designated an Important Cultural Property by theJapanese government.
 Kishiwada City Tourism Department 072-423-9486 ↸ 1178 Ohsawa-cho, Kishiwada-shi, Osaka Prefecture  8:00 to 16:00 (gateclosed*) *After the gate is closed, you cannot exit. Gate closing time may change depending on season and weather.
 Paid parking available nearby  Map P35 E3

Tourist spots
Treat your ears and tastebuds
in a natural setting

Mukunoki Hall

The hall hosts concerts that take advantage of astate-of-the-art sound system. Also on the premises,
you can enjoy popular home-baked bread at the cafe,or dine at the authentic Italian restaurant.
 072-493-6929 ↸ 1643 Amagadaki-cho, Kishiwada-shi, Osaka
Prefecture  9:00 to 21:00 (inquiries taken until 17:00)
 Please inquire in advance for the cafe and restaurant. (The hall isclosed irregularly.)  20 spaces  Map P34 D3

14

A symbol of food and farming

Enjoyment for all seasons

Aisai Land
Farmers’MarketUshitaki
Onsen
Shikimatsuri

Check out the wide, abundant selection of produce
grown with love by trusted local farmers. Relax andenjoy yourself in this rural farm market.

The lodging features a hot spring with water that issaid to beautify the skin. On the same premises you’ll
find a restaurant, barbecue space, and areas forcamping and glamping.

 072-444-8002 ↸ 3-6-18 Kishinooka-cho, Kishiwada-shi, Osaka
Prefecture  10:00 to 18:00 (currently closes at 17:00 as apandemic measure)  Wed., December 31 to January 5  392
spaces  Map P35 E3

 072-479-2641 ↸ 1156 Ohsawa-cho, Kishiwada-shi, Osaka
Prefecture  Restaurant 11:00 to 21:00; barbecue 11:00 to 14:00(April through October)  Open year-round (closed on certain days
for facility inspections)  150 spaces  Map P35 E3

Touring Katsuragi Shugen

Area 1 Izumi Range

Osaka Prefecture

Izumi City
Since ancient times, historic
figures such as En no Gyoja,
Kukai, Emperor Kazan, andToyotomi Hideyori have offered
their prayers in this land.

Makiosan Sefuku-ji Temple
This famous temple was founded by order of Emperor Kinmei shortly after Buddhism came to Japan. On the temple
grounds are a stone marker indicating the site of the Makiosan sutra mound and Kami-do, where legend holds thatthe great monk Kukai shaved his head upon converting to Buddhism. The temple is also home to two statues that are
the only examples of their kind in Japan. One is a statue of the bodhisattva Bato Kannon that shows the soles of his
feet. The other is a 4-meter-high seated statue of the deity Hochigai Daikannon.
 Temple office 0725-92-2332 ↸ 136 Makiosan-cho, Izumi-shi, Osaka Prefecture
February: 8:00 to 16:00)  Open year-round  100 spaces  Map P35 E3

Sutra mounds in the area

 Main hall 500 yen  8:00 to 17:00 (December throughMatsuo-dera Temple
Matsuo-dera Temple is said to trace its roots back to a
carving of the bodhisattva Nyoirin Kannon by En no Gyoja
on a sacred camphor tree during his ascetic training andenshrined in the Hakuho era. Following the coming of themonk Taicho, the temple flourished from the Nanbokucho
Period to the Muromachi Period. The temple buildings
were demolished by warlord Oda Nobunaga but laterrebuilt by Toyotomi Hideyori. The current main hall, which
was constructed by dismantling and rebuilding Shitenno-ji
Temple’s Amida-do Hall, holds the temple’s principal
object of worship, a statue of Nyoirin Kannon in a seatedposture. This statue is rarely revealed to the public.

Nanakoshi-toge Pass
Mt. Kyozuka Kenhotohon Temple office 0725-54-0914 ↸ 2168 Matsuoji-cho, Izumi-shi, Osaka
Prefecture  Visit anytime  Yes  Map P35 E3

Sutra mound #11. In days gone by, Nanakoshitoge Pass was a major route connecting the Kii
region and Osaka. To the west of the pass is
Mount Kyozuka, and on its summit remains aheap of stone—a sutra mound. In the woods tothe east of the pass is Shichidai-ryuo-sha Shrine,
which was mentioned in the Kii Shoku-fudoki.
A Shugendo training site is believed to haveexisted nearby.
 Cultural Heritage Utilization Division, Izumi City Education
Board 0725-99-8163 ↸ Chichioni-cho, Izumi-shi, Osaka
Prefecture  Please refrain from visiting, as this is private
property.  None  Map P35 E4

Sasa-odori Dance
Many traditional performing arts have been passed down in
the Senshu region of southern Osaka Prefecture since
Japan’s medieval period. Belonging to the same lineage as
artistic taiko drum dances, Sasa-odori is held to pray forrain. Characteristics include unique, complex lyrics, leisurely
musical rhythms, and elegant dancing. Although the form
disappeared for several dozen years at one point, it was
revived as a local dance in 2003 and is being carried on by
the region’s children.
 Minamiyokoyama Sasa-odori Preservation Association 0725-99-8163 ↸ Chichioni-cho, Izumi-shi, Osaka Prefecture Visit anytime  None

Tourist spots
Experience agriculture’s changing
seasons firsthandIzumi Fureai
No no Sato
A natural setting for people of all ages. Have abarbecue anytime of the year, or try picking
strawberries—at one of Kansai’s biggest
pick-your-own orchards—or other fruits andvegetables of the season.
 0725-92-3310 ↸ 2403 Butsunami-cho, Izumi-shi, Osaka
Prefecture  9:00 to 17:00  Mon. (open public holidays, closed
following Tues.)  60 spaces  Map P35 E3

A cafe terrace next to a healing forest

Freshly picked local vegetables,and more

Green RoomIzumi Yamaai
no SatoRoadside
StationThis cafe at the foot of Mount Makio has a terrace
surrounded by greenery. The extensive menu
features everything from a hamburger with originalsauce and buns, to a range of desserts.

Whether it’s fresh produce of the season grown rightin Izumi City, or processed goods and local
specialties, you’ll find everything you need for salehere.

 0725-90-5325 ↸ 86-1 Makiosan-cho, Izumi-shi, Osaka
Prefecture  11:00 to 22:00  Closed irregularly  14 spaces
 Map P35 E3

 0725-92-3888 ↸ 398-1 Butsunami-cho, Izumi-shi, Osaka
Prefecture  9:00 to 17:00  Year-end/New Year holidays
 130 spaces Note: For operating hours and closures in 2022 andbeyond, see the website.  Map P35 E3

15Niutsuhime-jinja Shrine
Niutsuhime-jinja Shrine is dedicated to Niutsuhime no
Okami, the younger sister of Amaterasu Omikami. The
shrine’s precincts are home to a miniature shrine to En no
Gyoja and monuments to other Shugendo practitioners.
Until the Edo Period (1603 to 1868), Shugendo
practitioners would carry the shrine’s goshintai (an objectof worship in which a deity is believed to reside) along the
Katsuragi Shugen route that took them to 28 sutra
mounds and 49 temples. The Jinkan-sai Festival, whichcelebrates the return of the deity to the shrine, continues
to be held each year on July 18. Fusing Shintoism andBuddhism, this shrine is also part of a World Heritage site.

Wakayama Prefecture

Katsuragi Town

 Shrine office 0736-26-0102↸ 230 Kami-amano, Katsuragi-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime (shrine office: 8:45 to 16:30)
 50 spaces (including space for large buses)  Map P35 F5Horikoshi Shaku-kannon Temple

Countryside where En no Gyoja
walked and many Shugendo
practitioners journeyed.

 0736-25-0001 ↸ 1360 Higashitani,
Katsuragi-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama
Prefecture  Visit anytime  10 spaces
 Map P35 E4Horikoshi Shaku-kannon Temple stands quietly in the mountains and is oneof the training sites of Katsuragi Shugen. The temple’s principal object ofworship, the statue of Juichimen Kannon Bosatsu, is said to have been
carved by En no Gyoja in the itto-sanrai manner, meaning each stroke witha chisel was followed by three prayers, as he prayed for his mother’srecovery from a painful internal disease. Though the Kannon statue israrely shown to the public, worshipers continue to come from afar to visit
the temple and its Kannon, which is said to work miracles in curing suchconditions. A statue of En no Gyoja is housed in the Kannon-do Temple.

Katsuragi Zao Gongen-sha Shrine
Katsuragi Zao Gongen-sha Shrine is an ancient shrine locatedon Zao-toge Pass on the border between Katsuragi Town and
Kawachinagano City. The shrine’s precincts enshrine Katsuragi
Zao Gongen, which is the principal focus of worship ofShugendo, as well as En no Gyoja, Fudo Myo-o, and the monk
Shobo (known posthumously as Rigen Daishi). The shrine’s
regular spring ritual, held each year on April 18, includes a Saito
Daigomaku fire ritual.
 Katsuragi Tourism Association 0736-22-0300 ↸ 824 Ohata, Katsuragi-cho,Ito-gun, Wakayama Prefecture  Visit anytime  None  Map P35 E4

Other cultural assets
Kono Amida-do Hall
The structure, which was built in
1686, houses objects including
Buddhist statues and mandalas.
It is a national Registered
Tangible Cultural Property.
 Katsuragi Tourism Association 0736-22-0300 ↸ Higashitani,
Katsuragi-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama Prefecture  Can only beviewed from the outside  None (Please refrain from visiting bycar, as the area’s roads are narrow.)  Map P35 E4

Sutra mounds in the area
Goma no Tawa Hodome Daiba-dattahon

Tennyosan Shoraku-ji Temple

Sutra mound #12. By a signpost on the trail is a sutra mound of
split stones. It’s mentioned in the Shozan-engi and the
Katsurei-zakki.

Two large stones remaining in
the precincts are thought to be
Oitate-ishi and Koshikake-ishi,
which are mentioned in the
Katsurei-zakki.

 Katsuragi Tourism Association 0736-22-0300 ↸ Higashitani, Katsuragi-cho,Ito-gun, Wakayama Prefecture  Visit anytime  None (5 spaces at a public
restroom near Horikoshi Shaku-kannon Temple)  Map P35 E4

Mukai Tawa Kanjihon
Sutra mound #13. The Katsurei-zakki calls this sutra mound“Kama no Tawa” or “Mukai no Tawa.” Today, it is marked by an
Izumi sandstone monument engraved with the kanji for Dainichi
Nyorai—the Great Sun Buddha. The sutra mound sits at the footof a pine tree on a mountaintop southeast of the Horikoshi
Shaku-kannon Temple. It is believed to have once been at
Tomyobu-ji Temple before being moved to its present location.
 Katsuragi Tourism Association 0736-22-0300 ↸ Higashitani, Katsuragi-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama Prefecture  Visit anytime None (5 spaces at a public restroom near Horikoshi Shaku-kannon Temple)  Map P35 E4

 Katsuragi Tourism Association 0736-22-0300 ↸ Higashitani,
Katsuragi-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama Prefecture  Can only beviewed from the outside  None (Please refrain from visiting bycar, as the area’s roads are narrow.)  Map P35 E4

Shigo Senryo-odori DanceThe Senryo-odori is a
performing art with deep
connections to Shugendo
practitioners, as illustrated by
the characters’ performances.
 Katsuragi Tourism Association 0736-22-0300 ↸ Hirokuchi,
Katsuragi-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama Prefecture  Held on
Sunday around October 18 every year  None

Tourist spots
Specialties with 450 years of tradition

Kushigaki
and anpogaki

Yo-yotte
Farm Shop

Anpogaki are dried persimmons that are thick andsweet. The kushigaki of 10 dried persimmons on a
skewer are considered a New Year’s good luck
charm. Both are sold all over town when in season.

Here you can buy highland vegetables of the season,
including wild vegetables in spring, tomatoes insummer, Amano rice in autumn, and black soybeans
in winter. You can also sit down to enjoy mixed rice
and udon noodles.

↸ Sold in Taira, Hirokuchi, Taki, and Higashitani in Katsuragi-cho,Ito-gun, Wakayama Prefecture

16

Not far from Niutsuhime-jinja Shrine,a World Heritage site

 0736-26-0360 ↸ 786 Kamiamano, Katsuragi-cho, Ito-gun,
Wakayama Prefecture  8:30 to 16:00 Sat., Sun., and public
holidays  Mon. to Fri.  6 spaces  Map P35 F5Roadside station in a large
kushigaki producing region

Kushigaki no
Sato Roadside
StationHere you’ll find a large selection of locally grownfruits and vegetables of the seasons, including
peaches, grapes, and persimmons. The adjoining
bakery offers sandwiches filled with seasonal fruits.
 0736-25-0155 ↸ 53-1 Taki, Katsuragi-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama
Prefecture  Farm shop 9:00 to 17:00; restaurant 10:00 to 16:30
 Open year-round  78 spaces  Map P35 E4

Touring Katsuragi Shugen

Area 1 Izumi Range

Hachidai-ryuo/Katsuragi Myojin
Spring Festival at Tokaku-ji Temple
Tokaku-ji Temple is an ancient Shugendo temple. It is believed
to have originated with the enshrinement of a stone statue ofYakushi Nyorai carved by En no Gyoja while he wasundergoing ascetic training in the mountains of Katsuragi.
Yakushi Nyorai has inspired strong belief among local
residents for its ability to ward off eye diseases and paralysis.
At the Spring Festival, held to honor Katsuragi Myojin andHachidai-ryuo, the god of water, pieces of burning wood are
dedicated to Fudo Myo-o in a Saito-daigoma ritual.

Wakayama Prefecture

Hashimoto City
Sense the legend of En no
Gyoja, and experience festivals
and events passed down withcare over the ages.

 Hashimoto City Sales Department 0736-33-6106 ↸ 629 Sudacho Yamauchi, Hashimoto-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P34 C2

Fudoyama no Kyoseki Boulders
According to legend, En no Gyoja had the deity Hitokotonushi
gather these enormous rocks in order to build a bridge from
Mount Katsuragi to Mount Kinpusen in Yoshino. The work only
progressed as far as gathering the rocks because the deity,
who had an ugly face, would not come out during the day sothat he could avoid being seen by people. Located atop 635
stone steps, it is a Shugen training site. The landscape createdby the stones, which stand 3 to 5 meters tall, tells the legend tovisitors.

 Hashimoto City Sales Department 0736-33-6106↸ Sugio, Hashimoto-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime  Yes  Map P34 C2Omine-ji Temple
Said to have been founded by En no Gyoja, Omine-ji Temple is recorded as a sacred Shugen training site
in the Shozan-engi, compiled in the Kamakura Period. In addition to the Gyoja-do, its precincts include a
13-tiered pagoda believed to be the tomb of En no Gyoja’s mother. The grounds are also dotted with anumber of historical artifacts, including a hokyointo pagoda, which has been designated a Cultural Property
by Wakayama Prefecture. Every March, a Saito Daigoma fire ritual is held, and a statue of the Bato(“horse-headed”) Kannon bodhisattva, which is rarely shown to the public, is made available for viewing.
 0736-37-0250 ↸ 2-1 Ominedai, Hashimoto-shi, Wakayama Prefecture  Visit anytime  Yes  Map P34 C2

Sutra mounds in the area

Other cultural assets
Miyanoko and Katsuragi-jinja
Shrine New Year’s Event
This New Year’s event is held
every year at Katsuragi-jinja
Shrine in Hashimoto.
Participants enter a basin fed
by a waterfall to purify
themselves. The ritual has
been designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
 Hashimoto City Sales Department 0736-33-6106↸ 270 Hashiramoto, Hashimoto-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P34 C2

Mt. Minami-Katsuragi Kagami no Shuku
Anrakugyohon
The location of sutra mound #14 is thought to be in one of two places.
One is here, close to the peak of Mount Minami-Katsuragi. (The otheris in Kotakiji Temple.) This place, marked by two stones, was anancient Shugendo training site called Kagami no Shuku. Despite no
written records of a sutra mound being at Kagami no Shuku, many
Shugendo practitioners make a pilgrimage to this spot. Legend has itthat the great samurai Kusunoki Masashige, inspired by the view,buried a sacred mirror here.
 Hashimoto City Sales Department 0736-33-6106 ↸ Kuju, Koyaguchi-cho,
Hashimoto-shi, Wakayama Prefecture  Visit anytime  None  Map P35 F4

Gyoja-mairi RitualThis traditional ritual is
performed during New Year’sat Nishi no Gyoja-do, which islocated on a ridge between
Kimi-toge Pass andChihaya-toge Pass. The ritual
has been designated an Intangible Folk Cultural
Property.
 Hashimoto City Sales Department 0736-33-6106↸ Hashiramoto, Hashimoto-shi, Wakayama Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P34 C2Tourist spots
Enjoy all the freshly laid eggs you want!

The place for Hashimoto souvenirs

Take a breather at a traditional
storehouse-style tourism center

Ran-anHashitama

Hashimoto
TouristInformation
CenterHashimotoRegional
Industry
Promotion
CenterEnjoy fresh eggs in a variety of dishes, such as raw
over rice, or cooked along with renowned Kishu
Umedori chicken on a bowl of rice. Savor the luxury
of endless eggs!

Choose from a large selection of local products
including specialties and traditional crafts ofHashimoto. The many tourism pamphlets provide a
wealth of information about where to go.

You’ll find a large collection of local products,
including ones made from high-quality Koyaguchi pilefabric that are only available here. With coffee for just
100 yen, it’s a great place to take a break.

 0736-36-2223 ↸ 2-13-8 Ominedai, Hashimoto-shi, Wakayama
Prefecture  11:00 to 14:00  Thurs., year-end/New Yearholidays  20 spaces  Map P34 C2

 0736-33-3552 ↸ 1-6-9 Kosada, Hashimoto-shi, Wakayama
Prefecture  9:00 to 17:00  Wed., year-end/New Year holidays
 Public parking available nearby  Map P35 G4

 0736-44-1401 ↸ 288 Koyaguchi-cho Nagura, Hashimoto-shi,
Wakayama Prefecture  9:00 to 17:00  Mon.  5 spaces
 Map P35 F4

17

Touring Katsuragi Shugen
Area

2

Kongo Range
East, West, South

Osaka Prefecture

Kawachinagano City
Chihayaakasaka Village
Nara Prefecture

Gojo City
Gose City↸

Inquiries 
Address 
HoursClosedParking
Fee/admission

Note: Foreign language assistance may not be available forall inquiries and facilities.

18

Touring Katsuragi Shugen

Area 2 Kongo Range– East, West, South

Sutra mounds in the area
Kotakiji Temple Buttokutawa
Anrakugyohon

Osaka Prefecture

KawachinaganoCity↸ 1147 Takihata, Kawachinagano-shi,
Osaka Prefecture Visit anytime None Map P35 F3

Kotakiji Temple
Sumiyaki Fudoson
A place of ascetic training deepin the mountains where the
Kotaki waterfall flows.

Tradition holds that in 943 the deity Fudo Myo-otook the form of an old man selling charcoal andtaught the chief priest of the temple at the time,Joso, how to make white charcoal. A statue known
as the Sumiyaki (“charcoal maker”) Fudoson isenshrined in the Sumiyaki Fudo-do in the temple’s
precincts. Takihata was known in the past for
producing white charcoal, which was known as“Kotaki charcoal.” The people of Takihata, who
made their living producing charcoal, have strong
faith in the Sumiyaki Fudoson.
 0721-64-9101↸ 1147 Takihata, Kawachinagano-shi, Osaka Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P35 F3

Sutra mound #14 is thought to be in one of two
locations. One possibility is that it is here at Kotakiji
Temple in Takihata. (The other is Kagami no Shuku.)
According to legend, En no Gyoja trained here andcreated a sutra mound in which to bury the 14th
chapter of the Lotus Sutra. It is believed a pagoda wasbuilt on top of that mound.

Mt. Iwawaki Juji-yujuppon↸ Kagata, Kawachinagano-shi, Osaka
Prefecture Visit anytime None Map P35 F3

According to ancient maps and Shugendo training
records, sutra mound #15 was at one of two
locations—either to the northwest of the main hall of
Iwawakiji Temple, or at a Shugendo training site to thesouth of the temple grounds. The sutra mound we see
today is halfway up Mt. Iwawaki—at the end of a ridge
and a short climb northwest from Iwawakiji Temple.

Nagaredani Kongodoji
Nyorai-juryobon

Fukutamasan Kotakiji Temple
Kotakiji Temple is sometimes described as theinner sanctuary of Makiosan Sefukuji Temple.
The area around the temple is dotted with the“48 Waterfalls of Takihata,” where En no Gyoja
practiced ascetic training. Kotaki Falls, for which
the temple is said to have been named, is foundbehind the main hall. The temple has a deep
connection to Shugendo. It is considered to be
the location of sutra mound #14. During the Edo
Period, the temple became a branch temple of
Nyakuoji associated with Shogo-in Temple in
Kyoto, the head temple of the Honzan branch of
Shugendo.
 0721-64-9101 ↸ 1147 Takihata, Kawachinagano-shi, Osaka Prefecture  Visit anytime  None  Map P35 F3↸ Nagaredani, Kawachinagano-shi,
Osaka Prefecture Visit anytime None Map P35 F3

Sutra mound #16. The present sutra mound is a mini
shrine reconstructed in 1978. A stone statue of Fudo
Myo-o, which was recovered from the Nagaredani
River flowing through the hamlet, is enshrined inside.

Amami-fudoFunbetsu-kudokuhon↸ Amami, Kawachinagano-shi, Osaka
Prefecture Visit anytime None Map P35 F3

Sutra mound #17. The sutra mound is on a relatively
flat area near the ridge. Inside the mini shrine are twostone Buddhist statues called Amami-fudo.

Iwaze Mt. Kyozuka
Zuiki-kudokuhon

Yushutsuzan Iwawakiji Temple
Situated partway up the north side of Mt. Iwawaki(elevation: 897 meters), which is known as a sacred
Katsuragi Shugen training site, Iwawakiji Temple isbelieved to have been founded by En no Gyoja at the orderof Emperor Monmu during the Taiho era (701 to 704). Its
honorific title “Yushutsuzan” derives from the title ofchapter 15 in the Lotus Sutra and the appearance of thetemple surroundings, which seems like rocks gushing forth.

↸ Iwaze, Kawachinagano-shi, Osaka
Prefecture Visit anytime None Map P34 C1

Sutra mound #18 is on the summit of Mt. Kyozuka.
You’ll find several stone monuments there. One marks
the sutra mound, while another commemorates past
Shugendo leaders.

 Temple office 0721-62-4000 ↸ 3824 Kagata, Kawachinagano-shi, Osaka Prefecture  Visit anytime
 50 spaces for passenger vehicles (scattered in several locations about 1.5 km on the way to the temple)  Map P35 F3Tourist spots
Popular restaurant’s dishes
use locally grown food

Enjoy nature in a lakeside setting

Okukawachi
Kuromaro Village
Roadside Station

Takihata
Kohan
KankouHere you’ll find a restaurant serving up locally grown
foods, a bakery, and a farmers’ market. Get tourist
information at the Okukawachi Visitors Center, or
attend one of the periodic events.

Eat at the restaurant, shop at the store, or enjoy ariverside barbecue. You can also immerse yourself innature at the two nearby camp sites.

 0721-56-9606 ↸ 1218-1 Tako, Kawachinagano-shi, Osaka
Prefecture  9:00 to 17:00 (farmers’ market opens at 9:30;
restaurant 10:30 to 14:00)  Year-end/New Year holidays (farmers’market Thurs.)  302 spaces Note: Operating hours and closures
are subject to change. See the website.  Map P35 F3

 Takihata Lakeside Agriculture and Forestry Association
0721-64-9285 ↸ 1588 Takihata, Kawachinagano-shi, Osaka
Prefecture  8:30 to 17:00  Wed. from January to mid-March,
December 25 to January 7 (camp sites closed December throughMarch)  400 spaces  Map P35 F3

Immerse yourself in local history

Takihata
Furusato
Bunkazai no
Mori Center
There are books for sale on topics like Katsuragi
Shugen and Kawachinagano history. You can visit anold, traditional Japanese house unique to Takihata,and see an exhibit of Takihata history.
 0721-63-0201 ↸ 483-3 Takihata, Kawachinagano-shi, Osaka
Prefecture  9:00 to 17:00 (10:00 to 16:00 December throughMarch)  Mon., day following public holiday (open late July throughAugust), year-end/New Year holidays  10 spaces
 Map P35 F3

19
18

Osaka Prefecture

Chihayaakasaka
Village

Site of Tamon-ji Temple
This mini temple in Chihayaakasaka
Village is said to stand at the site ofTamon-ji Temple, which was one of theseven great temples of Mount Kongo anda training site used by Shugendo
practitioners. The mini temple enshrines
the goddess Kishimojin, the bodhisattva
Jizo, and the Buddha Amida Nyorai,among others, and it is still visited by
Shugendo followers today.

Even today, many followers stopby a mini temple, which wasonce a Shugendo training site.

 Chihayaakasaka Village Education Department
0721-72-1300↸ Chihaya, Chihayaakasaka-mura,
Minami-kawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P34 C1

Tourist spots
The only place to eat near
the summit of Mount Kongo

A log cabin-style cafe on Mount Kongo

Woody HeartThe extensive menu features house specialties likehot pot carbonara pasta, home-made pizza andcurry, coffee, and desserts.
 0721-74-0911 ↸ 71 Chihaya, Chihayaakasaka-mura,
Minami-kawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture  11:00 to 16:30 (order by
16:30)  Mon. (open public holidays, closed following Tues.)  15
spaces  Map P34 C1Made the traditional way handed
down through generations

Mount Kongo
Summit Store

Mount Kongo
Yama no Tofu

Established in the early 20th century, this shop
serves Japanese dishes like soba, udon, and oden.
The delicious coffee is made with water from a wellassociated with samurai Kusunoki Masashige.

This tofu shop was established in 1777. Originally amaker of kori-dofu (freeze-dried tofu), which took
advantage of the area’s cold winters, today it makes
exquisite tofu by hand using Mount Kongo springwater and domestic soy beans.

 0721-74-0005 ↸ 1009-2 Chihaya, Chihayaakasaka-mura,
Minami-kawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture  9:30 to 14:30 (Sun. andpublic holidays 8:00 to 15:30)  Fri.  Use parking lot at the footof Mount Kongo  Map P34 C1

 0721-74-0015 ↸ 950 Chihaya, Chihayaakasaka-mura,
Minami-kawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture  9:00 to 17:00  Fri.
 Paid parking (600 yen)  Map P34 C1

NoticeThings to Remember When Walking the Katsuragi Shugen Trail
Point

20

1

Point

2

Point

3

Show respect

Plan ahead

Walk with someone

The sutra mounds, ascetic training grounds,sacred sites, and cultural assets are places where
Shugendo practitioners have offered their prayers
for over a thousand years, since the ancient daysof En no Gyoja. Please visit and pray withreverence.

Many places are inconvenient to get to and bus
services are limited. There are also places where
mobile phone signals are nonexistent or very
weak. Be sure to plan thoroughly beforehand andallow plenty of time for your travels. When enteringa mountain-climbing route, be sure to submit amountain-climbing notification form to the relevant
authorities.

The Kongo-Katsuragi-Kisen mountains, where thesutra mounds and cultural assets are found, arepopular mountain-climbing and hiking areas. But
there are many rough paths along the routes. Be
sure to travel with other people to be ready for
emergencies.

Point

Point

Point

4

5

6

Dress appropriately

Follow rules

Meet the locals

Not all the paths along the Katsuragi Shugen trail
are managed and maintained. Confirm the route
you will take to your destination and have trekking
shoes, rainwear, and other mountaineering gear,
as well as some food and drinks.

As a rule, it is strictly prohibited to collect plants
and build a fire in many places along the Katsuragi
Shugen trail. Be sure to follow these rules. Also,
many sutra mounds and cultural assets are on
private property. Do not act noisily or enter
off-limits areas.

Katsuragi Shugen is set in the mountains close tocommunities and is deeply rooted in the locals’
faith and lives. The temples, shrines, mini shrines,
halls, and other places associated with Shugendo
have been carefully preserved and handed downover the generations by the
locals. With this in mind, we
encourage friendly exchanges
with the locals.

Touring Katsuragi Shugen

Area 2 Kongo Range– East, West, South

Sokoku-ji Temple

Nara Prefecture

Tradition holds that this ancient
temple was founded by En no
Gyoja. A legend describes how heslew a dragon that lived in the area
by cutting it into three pieces andthen building three temples tomourn the creature’s head, torso,
and tail. Sokoku-ji Temple is said tohave been founded by combining
those three temples. The temple’s
principal object of worship, aseated statue of Yakushi Nyorai(the Medicine Buddha) that dates tothe Heian Period, has been
designated an Important Cultural
Property.

Gojo City
Prayers live on in this place thatwas originally for ascetic
training. There is also a sacredesoteric Buddhism site.

 Daizen-ji Temple 0747-23-0418 ↸ 906 Kitayama-cho, Gojo-shi, Nara Prefecture Visit anytime  50 spaces  Map P34 D2

Daitaku-ji Temple
Located at the foot of Mount Jinpuku, where
sutra mound #19 is located, Daitaku-ji
Temple is a sacred site of esoteric
Buddhism. It has inspired deep faith among
locals, who call it “Yakushi-san of Senodo.”
It was founded during the Hakuho era when
En no Gyoja constructed a hut for use in
ascetic training and prayed for the coming ofYakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha). A
pond popularly known as Mearai-ike(“eye-washing pond”) draws numerous
worshipers who pray for the pond’s water toheal eye diseases.
 Temple office 0747-23-1744↸ 581 Ozawa-cho, Gojo-shi, Nara Prefecture Free (a donation is appreciated for the main hall)
 8:00 to 17:00  Open year-round 10 spaces  Map P34 C2Jifuku-ji Temple
The temple took its current form when its principal object ofworship, the Buddhist deity Hoki Bosatsu, was summoned from
Kongosan Tenporin-ji Temple. It continues the tradition ofholding the Lotus Festival, which was previously held at
Tenporin-ji Temple on June 7 on the traditional calendar, theanniversary of En no Gyoja’s death. The temple houses statuesof En no Gyoja and the deities Fudo Myo-o and Daiitoku Myo-o,
as well as a jar, a treasured item that En no Gyoja is said tohave used successfully to pray for rain at Amaga-taki Falls.

Sutra mounds in the area

Mt. Jinpuku
Hosshi-kudokuhon
Sutra mound #19 is found at the top of Mount
Jinpuku, along with two mini shrines.
Boundary stones mark the sacred areaaround the sutra mound. Three ancientbronze mirrors were unearthed near the sutra
mound. The mini shrine nearby is affiliatedwith Satao-jinja Shrine of Mount Takama,
which was listed in an ancient register ofofficial Shinto shrines. The mini shrine is also
dedicated to a rain-making deity and aguardian deity of Daitaku-ji Temple at the footof Mount Jinpuku.
 Gojo City Tourist Association 0747-22-4001↸ Gojo-shi, Nara Prefecture  Visit anytime None  Map P34 C2

 Temple office 0747-22-4476 ↸ 1161 Kuruno-cho, Gojo-shi, Nara Prefecture  Visit anytime  None  Map P34 D2

Tourist spots
Sit down and enjoy Gojo specialties
and tastes of the seasons

Products include sweets
made with persimmons

Yamato-zushi
Muso-an,Kakinoha-zushi
Yamato Gojo Store

Kakinoha-sushi
Honpo Tanaka
Gojo Store

Gojo City is synonymous with kakinoha-zushi (sushi
wrapped in persimmon leaves). This restaurant also
sells boxed lunches, set meals, multi-course meals,
hot pots, and other ways to fully enjoy the seasonal
tastes of this area.

Besides kakinoha-zushi, a comfort food that is the
pride of Gojo, you can buy seasonal sushi and local
specialties such as sweets made with persimmons.

 0747-23-1955 ↸ 3-2-2 Gojo, Gojo-shi, Nara Prefecture 8:00 to 21:00; restaurant open 11:00 to 21:00 (order by 21:00)
 Open year-round  35 spaces  Map P34 D2

 0747-25-1010 ↸ 1-1-15 Shinmachi, Gojo-shi, Nara Prefecture 7:30 to 19:00  Open year-round  8 spaces  Map P34 D2

Additive-free breadmade with local ingredients

Yum-yum
BakeryBuy bread made with local ingredients and containing
no artificial preservatives or colorants. There’s also acafe where you can sit down to enjoy freshly baked
bread.
 0747-23-5530 ↸ 3-20-6 Den-en, Gojo-shi, Nara Prefecture 8:00 to 19:00  Tues., Wed.  5 spaces  Map P34 D2

21

Kisshoso-ji Temple
This ancient temple is said to have beenfounded by En no Gyoja. It’s also believed tobe his birthplace. Its name derives from thetradition that En no Gyoja used a grass known
as kisshoso to build a hut at the site. The
temple’s precincts include an ancient wellfrom which En no Gyoja’s first bath is said tohave been drawn and a stone on which he sat
during meditation. The Gyoja-do enshrines astatue of a 32-year-old En no Gyoja believed
to have been carved by himself and a statueof Shiratoume, his mother.

Nara Prefecture

Gose City Temple office 0745-62-3472 ↸ 279 Chihara, Gose-shi,
Nara Prefecture  9:00 to 17:00  Open year-round Yes  Map P35 H2Countryside where En no Gyoja
walked and many Shugendo
practitioners journeyed.

Katsuragi Hitokotonushi-jinja Shrine
This ancient shrine enshrines the deity Hitokotonushi, who according to
the mythology described in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki appeared while
Emperor Yuryaku was hunting on Mount Katsuragi. According to the
Kojiki, Hitokotonushi had the power to make any wish that could be
expressed in a word or two (hitokoto or ichigon) come true. The locals
affectionately call this shrine “Ichigon-san.” Shrine office 0745-66-0178 ↸ 432 Moriwaki, Gose-shi, Nara Prefecture Visit anytime  Yes  Map P34 D1

Sutra mounds in the area
Jofukyo Bosatsuhon
at former Ishi-dera Temple

Mizukoshi-tawa Zokuruihon

Other cultural assets
Mount Kongo

 Gose City Regional
Development Office0745-62-3001↸ Sekiya, Gose-shi, Nara
Prefecture Please refrain from visiting,as this is private property.
 None Map P34 D1

At 1,125 meters, Mount Kongo is thehighest peak in the Katsuragi mountain
range. Counted among the seven great
mountains of Shugendo, it is known as asacred site of Shingon esoteric
Buddhism.

Sutra mound #20. Ishi-dera (“Stone Temple”)
was named for a stone statue of Yakushi
Nyorai, which was believed to have been
carried by En no Gyoja from Baekje (a Korean
kingdom). The temple complex no longer exists.

Sutra mound #22. At the foot of a large cedar
tree is a copper-roofed wooden mini shrine
sitting atop a granite foundation. Inside is astatue of the Jizo Buddhist deity.

 Gose City Regional Development Office 0745-62-3001↸ Takama, Gose-shi, Nara Prefecture  Visit anytime  Parking isavailable for a fee in the vicinity of the trailhead  Map P34 D1

Mt. Kongo
Nyorai-jinrikihon

Kushira Yakuo
Bosatsu Honjihon

 Gose City Regional
Development Office0745-62-3001↸ Kamogami, Gose-shi, Nara
Prefecture Visit anytime None Map P34 D1

 Gose City Regional
Development Office0745-62-3001↸ Takama, Gose-shi, Nara
Prefecture Visit anytime None Map P34 D1

Sutra mound #21. Walk the trail from the torii
gate of Katsuragi-jinja Shrine, where
Hitokotonushi no Okami is enshrined, and you’ll
find a stone monument atop a stone foundation.

 Gose City Regional
Development Office0745-62-3001↸ 1371 Kujira, Gose-shi, Nara
Prefecture Visit anytime None Map P35 G2Three different places have been posited as
the true location of sutra mound #23. One is afive-ringed pagoda on old temple grounds in
Kujira, Gose.

Tenporin-ji Temple
The temple’s origins go back to when En
no Gyoja prayed to the guardian deity
Hitokotonushi no Okami and summoned
the Buddhist deity Hoki Bosatsu to Mount
Kongo, where En no Gyoja wasundergoing ascetic training.
 Temple office 0721-74-0873 ↸ At the peak of Mount Kongo, 472
Takama, Gose-shi, Nara Prefecture  Visit anytime  Parking isavailable for a fee in the vicinity of the trailhead  Map P34 D1

Lotus Festival at Tenporin-ji Temple
The Lotus Festival is the oldest
festival at Tenporin-ji Temple. The
event, held each year on July 7,
includes offerings of lotus flowers,
which are what give the festival its
name.
 Temple office 0721-74-0873 ↸ At the peak of Mount Kongo, 472
Takama, Gose-shi, Nara Prefecture  Visit anytime  Parking isavailable for a fee in the vicinity of the trailhead  Map P34 D1

Tourist spots
Travel back to a simpler place and time

22

Treat yourself to an elegant lunch
and a spectacular view

Winner of national hot pot competition

Tegami Cafe
Nagara Postal
Gallery andCafe

YamatoSeasonal
Dishes
Byaku-un-an

Katsuragi
Kogen Lodge

A 100-year-old post office has been turned into acafe decorated with historical artifacts. Enjoy lunch
made using locally grown rice and vegetables, andhome-made miso, followed by dessert.

This restaurant serving original cuisine opened in2020 at the base of Mount Katsuragi. The menu
centers on local ingredients prepared with a French
flair.

Marvel at the views of the seasons from this lodge
near the summit of Mount Katsuragi. It’s known for its
specialty, duck hot pot made with local duck and asecret broth.

 0745-60-8386 ↸ 326-1 Nagara, Gose-shi, Nara Prefecture 11:00 to 16:00  Tues., Wed.  11 spaces  Map P34 D1

 0745-44-8551 ↸ 2440-7 Kujira, Gose-shi, Nara Prefecture Lunch 11:30 to 14:00 (order by 14:00)  Mon.  20 spaces
 Map P35 H2

 0745-62-5083 ↸ 2569 Kujira, Gose-shi, Nara Prefecture Lunch 11:00 to 15:00  Open year-round  230 spaces atpublic paid parking lot near Katsuragisan Ropeway
Katsuragi-tozanguchi Station  Map P35 G2

Osaka Prefecture

Touring Katsuragi Shugen
Area

3

Kongo Range
North

Kanan Town
Taishi Town
Nara Prefecture

Katsuragi City
Kashiba CityOji Town
Osaka Prefecture

Kashiwara City↸

Inquiries 
Address 
HoursClosedParking
Fee/admission

Note: Foreign language assistance may not be available forall inquiries and facilities.

23

Sutra mounds in the area
Hiraishi-toge Pass Myo-on Bosatsuhon
Osaka Prefecture

Sutra mound #24. This mound is located on Hiraishi-toge Pass, to the north of
Mount Iwahashi. Lying to the south of Mount Nijo, Mount Iwahashi is on theborder between Kawachi (Osaka) and Yamato (Nara). On a mountainside rightbefore the pass, you’ll find stone steps leading to two stone statues—one of En no
Gyoja and another of the Buddhist deity Fudo Myo-o. The area around Mount
Iwahashi is dotted with sites related to Shugendo and remarkable rock formations.

Kanan Town

 Agriculture, Forestry, Commerce, Industry, and Tourism Department, Kanan Town 0721-93-2500↸ Hiraishi, Kanan-cho, Minami-kawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture  Visit anytime  None
 Map P35 E2

Koki-ji Temple Kogebata Kanzeon Bosatsu Fumonhon
A place where you’ll encountertwo sutra mounds and stories
associated with En no Gyoja.

Sutra mound #25. This mound is located on the grounds of Koki-ji Temple, which wasprobably founded by En no Gyoja during Emperor Monmu’s reign. At the base of a giant
boulder is a mini stone shrine dedicated to Fudo Myo-o, a wrathful guardian deity. The
temple’s main hall houses the principal objects of worship—statues of Godai Myo-o. The
lecture hall houses a wooden, seated statue of goddess Benzaiten. This is an Important
Cultural Property and it’s usually concealed from public view. The hall also houses a
statue of En no Gyoja and one of Buddhist monk Shobo (Rigen-taishi).
 Agriculture, Forestry, Commerce, Industry, and Tourism Department, Kanan Town 0721-93-2500↸ 539 Hiraishi, Kanan-cho, Minami-kawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture  Visit anytime  3 to 4 spaces (for visitors
to Koki-ji Temple)  Map P35 E2Tourist spots
Buy fresh-picked vegetables

Enjoy a modern tumulus and a history tour

Kanan Roadside Station

Chikatsu Asuka Museum
Museum Shop and Cafe

Take a break surrounded by nature. The adjoining
farm shop has fresh local vegetables picked daily.
A great place to buy fresh produce and processed
foods.

Purchase exhibition catalogs and literature on themuseum’s items, as well as original souvenirs. In
the cafe, try the tumulus parfait, only available here!

 0721-90-3911 ↸ 523-1 Kohyama, Kanan-cho, Minami-kawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture  9:00 to 17:00(opens at 8:30 on Sat., Sun., and public holidays)  Year-end/New Year holidays  52 spaces
Note: The parking lot and restrooms are always open.  Map P35 G2

 0721-93-8321 ↸ 299 Higashiyama, Kanan-cho, Minami-kawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture  9:45 to 17:00(cafe opens at 11:00) Note: Operating hours and closures are subject to change. See the website.
 Mon. (open public holidays, closed following Tues.), year-end/New Year holidays, and temporary closures 80 spaces (museum), 30 spaces (Chikatsu Asuka Fudoki no Oka Historical Park)  Map P35 E2Osaka Prefecture

Taishi Town
Stone statues of En no Gyoja
dot Takenouchi-kaido Road,
Japan’s oldest national
highway.

Iwaya
Today, sutra mound #26 is on the Odake Peak of Mount Nijo, but according to the
Shozan-engi, it was here at Iwaya in medieval times. Running from Mount Nijo to
Eifuku-ji Temple is the Takenouchi-kaido Road. Along it you can find stone statuesof En no Gyoja. At Eifuku-ji Temple, a grand Goma fire ritual is conducted by
Shugendo practitioners every spring.

 Lifelong Education Department,
Education Board, Taishi Town
0721-98-5534↸ 2044 Yamada, Taishi-cho,
Minami-kawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture Visit anytime
 Use parking lot at Mount Nijo Manyo no
Mori Information Center Map P35 E2Tourist spots
Conveniently located next to National Route 166

Chikatsu Asuka no Sato
Taishi Roadside Station

Takenouchi-Kaido
Community Center

This roadside station’s offerings include local fresh
fruit and vegetables, processed foods, wine, andsweet bean delicacies. There’s also a tourist
information section.

This tourist information center is along the TakenouchiKaido, called Japan’s oldest national highway. It sells
items like mikan orange sauce and souvenirs featuring
Taishikun, the official mascot of Taishi.

 0721-98-2786 ↸ 2265-1 Yamada, Taishi-cho, Minami-kawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture  9:00 to 17:00
 Year-end/New Year holidays  33 spaces Note: The parking lot and restrooms are always open.
 Map P35 E2

24

Take a break along the Takenouchi-Kaido

 0721-26-8051 ↸ 1799 Yamada, Taishi-cho, Minami-kawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture  9:00 to 17:15
 Mon., Tues. (open public holidays), year-end/New Year holidays  2 spaces  Map P35 E2

Touring Katsuragi Shugen

Area 3 Kongo Range– North

Taima-dera Temple
Taima-dera Temple is believed to have been built in
681 when Taima no Kunimi relocated Manpozo-in
Temple, which had been built by his grandfather, tothe eastern base of Mount Nijo. To facilitate theproject, En no Gyoja donated private land andharnessed the power of Buddhist belief to summon
the Four Heavenly Kings from Baekje (a Korean
kingdom), the deity Hitokotonushi from Mount
Katsuragi, and a dragon god from Kumano. A stone
on which En no Gyoja sat when worshiping testifies
to the legend. The temple’s precincts are home tonumerous invaluable treasures.

Nara Prefecture

Katsuragi City

 Temple office 0745-48-2001 ↸ 1263 Taima, Katsuragi-shi, Nara
Prefecture  Required  9:00 to 17:00  Open year-round 15 spaces  Map P35 F2Taima-dera Temple, at the footof Mount Nijo, stands where En
no Gyoja donated private land.

Takao-ji Temple
Takao-ji Temple is said to have been built by En no Gyoja during thelatter half of the 7th century. Rituals were performed at the temple on
behalf of Emperor Gotoba and Emperor Goshirakawa. Despite its
great prosperity, most of the temple’s structures were lost to a large
fire, and today only the foundation stone and repository remain. The
repository houses a statue of En no Gyoja, which was created in theearly Muromachi Period (14th century). This is believed to be thesecond-oldest statue of En no Gyoja.
 Commerce, Industry, and Tourism Department, Katsuragi City 0745-44-5111↸ Shinzaike, Katsuragi-shi, Nara Prefecture  Visit anytime  None  Map P35 F2Taima-dera Temple Nakanobo

Sutra mounds in the area

Nakanobo was founded by En no Gyoja as a
Shugendo training site during the Hakuho era. On the
grounds is Ryuo-sha Shrine, which is dedicated to a
dragon god summoned by En no Gyoja from Kumano.
Nakanobo has served as the head of the subsidiary
temples of Taima-dera Temple and as its oldest
monastery. The principal object of worship is a statueof Juichimen Kannon, which is popularly known as the
Guiding Kannon and attracts considerable faithamong worshipers. The monastery is also known for
Daranisuke, En no Gyoja’s secret elixir.
 Temple office 0745-48-2001 ↸ 1263 Taima, Katsuragi-shi, Nara
Prefecture  Adults 500 yen  9:00 to 17:00  Open year-round 15 spaces  Map P35 F2

Mt. Nijo Daranihon
Sutra mound #26. This mound is on the
Odake Peak of Mount Nijo. The mound sits
among sakaki trees. It is marked by an uprightstone on top of a heap of natural stones. To
the south on Iwaya-toge Pass is a cave.
According to the Shozan-engi—a record of
Shugendo mountains compiled in the early
Kamakura Period—the sutra mound was here
at this cave at Iwaya. It is believed to havebeen later transferred to Mount Nijo.

Taima-dera Temple Takenobo
Takenobo is one of the five Shingon-school halls
associated with Taima-dera Temple. Its principal focus ofworship is En no Gyoja. It is noted in the Katsurei-zakki
as serving as an important training site and as a sourceof overnight accommodations for ascetics seeking to train
in the mountains of Katsuragi. One can image how theylodged at Takenobo before setting off for sutra mound#26, which was located at the peak of Mount Nijo.

 Commerce, Industry, and Tourism Department, KatsuragiCity 0745-44-5111↸ Someno, Katsuragi-shi, Nara Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P35 E2

 Taima-dera Temple Saina-in 0745-48-2202↸ 1263 Taima, Katsuragi-shi, Nara Prefecture 9:00 to 17:00 (admission is free)  15 spaces  Map P35 F2Tourist spots
Yomogi mochi named after
a legendary princess

A roadside station at the foot ofMount Nijo

Quaint, old-fashioned atmosphere

Chujodo
Honpo

Taima no Ie
Futakami Park
Taima Roadside
StationKazu Craft
Shop

This shop is known for a traditional Katsuragi treat
called Chujo Mochi: a palm-sized piece of bean jam
on top of a bite-sized yomogi mochi (mugwort ricecake) to resemble a peony flower petal.

Here you can buy fresh vegetables lovingly grown by
local farmers, fresh cut flowers, Taima no Ie specialty
processed foods, and malted rice. There’s also a
restaurant.

This shop on the path to Taima-dera Temple has
been selling all the most popular Katsuragi souvenirs
for generations. It also offers a comfortable space fortemple visitors.

 0745-48-3211 ↸ 55-1 Taima, Katsuragi-shi, Nara Prefecture 9:00 to 18:00 (closes when products are sold out)
 July, mid-August to August 31, December 31 to early January
Note: See the website for closures.
 11 spaces  Map P35 F2

 0745-48-7000 ↸ 402-1 Shinzaike, Katsuragi-shi, Nara Prefecture 9:00 to 17:00 (restaurant 11:00 to 15:00)  Year-end/New Yearholidays  147 spaces  Map P35 F2

 0745-48-4552 ↸ 178 Taima, Katsuragi-shi, Nara Prefecture 9:00 to 17:00  Open year-round  None
 Map P35 F2

25

Nara Prefecture

Kashiba City
Travel a Shugendo trail that
leads from Mount Katsuragi
and Mount Nijo to Kamenose.

Kannon-ji Temple and Miwa-jinja Shrine
Kannon-ji Temple is one of only a few esoteric Shingon-school temples
in Kashiba. Its precincts contain a statue of En no Gyoja, andShugendo practitioners have made offerings of hide (wooden plaques
as proof of their visit) at adjacent Miwa-jinja Shrine. The temple’s
principal object of worship is a standing wooden statue of Juichimen
Senju Kannon, which is believed to date to the Muromachi Period.
Legend holds that the Kannon statue was damaged on behalf ofKusunoki Masashige when the samurai took an enemy’s arrow. For
this reason, worshipers believe in its efficacy in warding off evil.

 Temple office 0745-76-3469↸ 351 Tajiri, Kashiba-shi, Nara Prefecture Visit anytime  10 spaces
 Map P35 E1

Sekiya Jizoson
This seated stone image of Jizo Bosatsu is housed ina mini shrine that stands at the intersection of the routeleading to Kamenose via Mount Myojin and the
Nagao-kaido Road. There’s evidence that the statue
was repaired after being broken in two due toweathering, a result of its sandstone construction. The
bodhisattva holds a staff in its right hand and a sacred
gem in its left hand. According to tradition it wasdedicated by the people of Hatsuse to ensure safe
travel over the nearby pass.

Bato Kannon of Anamushi-toge Pass
Anamushi-toge Pass, known in ancient times as Osaka-goe is on theborder between Osaka Prefecture and Nara Prefecture, and on the
shortest route from the 26th sutra mound on Mount Nijo to Kamenose.
It was used by Shugendo pilgrims long ago. A mini shrine at the pass
enshrines a stone statue of the Jizo Buddhist deity and a three-faced,eight-handed seated statue of Bato (“horse-headed”) Kannon, another
Buddhist divinity.
 Kashiba City Nijyosan Museum 0745-77-1700↸ Anamushi, Kashiba-shi, Nara Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P35 E1

 Kashiba City Nijyosan Museum 0745-77-1700 ↸ 8 Sekiya-kita,
Kashiba-shi, Nara Prefecture  Visit anytime  None  Map P35 E1

Sutra mounds in the area
Donzuru-bo
Peak

Ousaka Myoshogon-no-honjihon

 Commerce and Industry
Department, Kashiba City
0745-44-3312↸ Anamushi, Kashiba-shi, Nara
Prefecture Visit anytime  5 spaces
 Map P35 E1

The oddly shaped rocks of Donzuru-bo were created by pyroclastic flows
and volcanic ash from Mount Nijo’s volcanic activity. The landscape wasformed by weathering and erosion over a span of more than 10 million
years. The place serves as a Shugendo training site and is located on theancient Osaka-goe route that led from the 26th sutra mound on Mount
Nijo to Kamenose.

Sutra mound #27. According to the Shozan-engi, sutra
mound #27 was located near Anamushi-toge Pass tothe north of Mount Nijo. The Katsurei-zakki states thatthe mound was located in Ousaka, Kashiba. The
existing sutra mound is a multi-tiered pagoda made oftuff (porous volcanic rock). Its four sides are engravedwith bonji script representing the buddhas Shaka,
Ashuku, Hosho, and Amida. The pagoda is a KashibaCity-designated cultural property, but it is not open for
public viewing because it stands on private property.
 Kashiba City Nijyosan Museum 0745-77-1700 ↸ Ousaka, Kashiba-shi, Nara Prefecture Not for public viewing (private residence)  None  Map P35 F1Tourist spots
Authentic, delicious chanko hot pot
made by a former sumo wrestler

26

Your own little coffee hideaway

Sumo-chaya
ChankoYoshi no Sato

Coco Coffee

Prepared by a former sumo wrestler, the chanko hot
pot uses carefully simmered broth and is packed withplenty of hearty ingredients. There are also various
seasonal dishes.

This approximately 13 m2 stand is only open on
Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. It
prides itself on quality, such as flavored coffees using
home-made syrup.

 0745-76-3424↸ 943-2 Sekiya, Kashiba-shi, Nara Prefecture 11:00 to 14:00, 16:00 to 22:00 (11:00 to 22:00 on Sat., Sun., andpublic holidays)  Wed.  10 spaces  Map P35 E1

 — ↸ 6-736-1 Ousaka, Kashiba-shi, Nara Prefecture 9:00 to 22:30 on Wed. and Thurs., 7:00 to 18:00 on Sat. and Sun.
 Mon., Tues., Fri.  6 spaces  Map P35 F1

An oasis in the city

Natural Cafe
MonsteraThis bakery and cafe prides itself on authentic breadand sweets made with the very best ingredients. Why
not take home some gluten-free rice flour wafers?
 0745-51-7107↸ 1F Bonobo Bldg., 1-1057-3 Isokabe, Kashiba-shi, Nara Prefecture 9:00 to 17:00 (breakfast 9:00 to 10:30, lunch 11:00 to 14:00)
 Sun., Mon.  7 spaces  Map P35 F1

Touring Katsuragi Shugen

Area 3 Kongo Range– North

Sutra mounds in the area
Mt. Myojin Fugen Bosatsu
Kanbotsuhon

Nara Prefecture

Numerous ancient records place sutra mound #28 at
Kameno-o-shuku. According to the Enkun Gyoshoki, the28th chapter of the Lotus Sutra was buried at a placecalled Sotoba no Mine. Since Sotoba no Mine wasconsidered to be today’s Mount Myojin, some people
believe that Mount Myojin is sutra mound #28. At the top of
Mount Myojin today stands Mizu-jinja Shrine. Affectionately
called “Myojin-san of Nishiyama” by locals, the shrine isstill frequented by pilgrims coming to offer prayers.

Oji Town

 Oji Town Tourism Association 0745-33-6668↸ 2640 Hatakeda, Oji-cho, Kita-katsuragi-gun, Nara Prefecture Visit anytime  35 spaces for passenger vehicles (Parking lot open
9:00 to 19:00)  Map P35 E1

The 28th chapter of the Lotus
Sutra is buried here in the landof a water deity.

Tourist spots
Japanese cafe specializing inoyakodonEnjoy pleasant views of Mount Shigi
and Mount Ikoma

Yukimaru cake brings a smile
to everyone

Yukimaruchaya

Yukimaru Café
Poem

CAKE hinata
Oji Shop

Located next to Daruma-ji Temple, the cafe’s
specialties are Japanese tea and oyakodon—achicken-and-egg dish carefully prepared with local
free-range chicken and other select ingredients. The
hojicha parfait is also popular.

This cafe is themed on Yukimaru, the official mascotof Oji, Nara. There’s also a shop that sells official
Yukimaru items and works made by local artists.

A cake shop right outside the ticket gate of Kintetsu
Oji Station. The Yukimaru cake, with its face drawn inchocolate, makes for a cute souvenir.

 080-9127-6955↸ 5F East Building, Liebell Oji, 2-2-1 Kudo, Oji-cho,
Kita-katsuragi-gun, Nara Prefecture 11:00 to 16:00 (order by 15:30)  Wed.
 Use the Liebell Oji parking lot (1-hour free parking available forpurchases of 250 yen or more) Map P35 G1

 0745-54-0208↸ 3-4-20 Kudo, Oji-cho, Kita-katsuragi-gun, Nara Prefecture 11:00 to 21:00 (closes at 19:00 on Sun.) Open year-round None Map P35 G1

 0745-31-4556 ↸ 2-5-2 Honmachi, Oji-cho, Kita-katsuragi-gun,Nara Prefecture  9:30 to 17:00
 Closed irregularly (Please inquire in advance) Use the Daruma-ji parking lot  Map P35 G1

Sutra mounds in the area
Osaka Prefecture

Kashiwara City
Alternative location of a sutra
mound found at an ascetic trainingsite established by En no Gyoja.

Kameno-o-shuku Fugen Bosatsu
Kanbotsuhon
The rock “Kameishi” is in the Yamato River Called “Kamenose.”
It is said to be alternative location of sutra mound #28. That
area was a Shugendo training site established by practitioner ofausterities. This large granite rock, which has been eroded overmillennia by the rapids, appeared as an illustration entitled“Kame-ishi” in the Yamato Meisho Zu-e of the Edo Period. It
was also mentioned in the Katsurei-zakki as “the sutra rock ofKamenose.” It is believed that letters were carved into the rockand that a mini pagoda “hou-gyoku-in-tou” was set up next to it
in the Muromachi Period.
 Kashiwara City Cultural Assets Department 072-976-3430↸ Toge, Kashiwara-shi, Osaka Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P35 E1

Tourist spots
Wine flavors to tempt the tastebuds

Patisserie
Ange Blanc
The shop’s specialty is castella cake made with winefrom Katashimo Winery. An official souvenir of
Kashiwara City, this cake is delightfully moist and richin flavor.
 072-973-1010↸ 4-2-21 Hozenji, Kashiwara-shi, Osaka Prefecture 10:00 to 20:00  Closed irregularly  Available
 Map P35 G1

Beautifully shaped into grape leaves

Stylish and healthy sweets

Confectionery
Katsuraya
Kashiwara
Shop

Ito-o
Confectionery

The shop’s specialty, Kawachi monaka, packs whitebean paste from Hokkaido and specially selected
raisins into crisp wafers. Its refined sweetness andmouthfeel makes it highly popular. Certified as an
official Osakamon (“made in Osaka”) delicacy.

The shop’s Baumkuchen has echoes of Mount Takao
and the Yamato River, two Kashiwara landmarks.
Made from Kashiwara wine and beet sugar, it’s
officially recommended by Kashiwara City as asouvenir or gift.

 072-973-0620↸ 1-3-20 Kiyosu, Kashiwara-shi, Osaka Prefecture 9:00 to 19:00  Tues.  None  Map P35 G1

 072-972-6555↸ 2-1-22 Hongo, Kashiwara-shi, Osaka Prefecture 10:00 to 19:00  Wed.  None  Map P35 G1

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Tomogashimaitinerary

Wakayama

The birthplace of Katsuragi Shugen

15 min. walk from Nonaura Pier

Explore Tomogashima

1

Kamishima Yohaijo
45 min. walk2
Situated in the Kii Channel, Tomogashima is a group of four islands,
boasting five ascetic training sites. This is where Katsuragi Shugen all
began. On this trip, we tour Tomogashima and savor the seafood of Kada
before ending the day soothing ourselves in a hot spring.

Site of Akai Well (Akai-ato)
60 min. walk3

Site of Gun Battery #3
20 min. walk to Nonaura Pier, 20 min.
ferry ride to Kada Port, and 5 min. walk

Note: Foreign language assistance may not be available for all inquiries and facilities.

4

Fresh Fish Cuisine Inasa
3 min. walk

START

(Nonaura Pier)

5

Kada Awashima-jinja Shrine
Short walkGet a view ofKamishimaIsland from a
distance

6

Uoichi Shoten Shop
10 min. walk7

Kada Kasuga-jinja Shrine

45 min.
walk

15 min.
From between thetrees at Kamishima
Yohaijo, you can see
Kamishima Island in
the distanceKamishima seen from a lookout
on Okinoshima

8

Hiina no Yu Hot Spring

Our starting point is Kada Station, the last stopon the Nankai Kada Line. Walk 15 minutes to
Kada Port and take a 20-minute ferry ride to
Tomogashima, docking at the island’s Nonaura
Pier. Ferries depart at 9:00, 11:00, 13:00, and16:00. (Note: During long holiday periods, extra
ferries are running. From December to February,
ferries run only on Saturdays, Sundays, andpublic holidays.) Some departures may becancelled due to high winds, so be sure to checkthe ferry schedule on the day you plan to travel.

walk

1

Kamishima Yohaijo

10 min. walk

Tsurugino-ike Pond is one of five ascetic training sites on theislands of Tomogashima. The pond is on Kamishima, an island thatis off limits to visitors, but you can view the island from the yohaijo(a spot provided for worship at a distance) on Okinoshima. Legend
has it that En no Gyoja obtained an all-powerful sword from thepond, hence its name Tsurugino-ike Pond (“Sword Pond”). A stonemonument was erected there in the Edo Period. The name
Kamishima (“Deity Island”) comes from a legend that says a deity
enshrined at Kada Awashima-jinja Shrine, Sukunahikona no Mikoto,
had descended on the island.

Site of Akai Well (Akai-ato)2

Go north about 2 kilometers along the ridge from Kamishima
Yohaijo to arrive at the seashore on the eastern edge of
Okinoshima. There, you will find a stone monument marking
the site of Akai Well. Akai means a well from which you getwater to offer to Buddha. It is said that Shugendo
practitioners would get spring water from this well to purify
themselves before making the crossing to Torajima, thelocation of the training sites Johon-kutsu and Kannen-kutsu.

 Wakayama City Tourism Department 073-435-1234 ↸ Kada, Wakayama-shi,
Wakayama Prefecture  Visit anytime  None  Map P34 A1

See page 9.

3Site of Gun Battery #3

After seeing the ascetic training sites, let’s visit a former military site.
During Japan’s Meiji Period, the government built five gun batteries
to protect the Kitan Strait. The largest of these is Gun Battery #3.
The structure’s aging red bricks recall a long-gone era and exude asolemn atmosphere. Gun mounts and ammunition storage areas areconnected by tunnels which you can go inside. It’s pitch dark, so be
sure to bring a flashlight.

60 min.
walk

The site of Akai Well isat the edge of
Okinoshima nearest
Torajima

 Wakayama City Tourism Department 073-435-1234 ↸ Kada, Wakayama-shi,
Wakayama Prefecture  Visit anytime  None  Map P34 A2

An ancient atlas noted of Akai Well that “The seawater reaches
here so there is no longer a well”
A popular
photogenic spot
The second floor
dining area has agreat view of theoceanAbove: You can almost sense thepresence of long-gone soldiers in thisammunition storage
Left: The many trees contribute to thetranquil but somewhat eerie atmosphere28

20 min. walk to
Nonaura Pier,
20 min. ferry ride to
Kada Port,and 5 min. walkKada Kasuga-jinja
Shrine10 min.

7

walk

GOAL
Hiina no Yu Hot
SpringOur next stop is Kada Kasuga-jinja Shrine, anotherof the Shugendo training sites on Tomogashima.
The shrine is said to have been moved to its current
location by Kuwayama Shigeharu (a retainer ofwarlord Hashiba Hidenaga) during the Tensho era(1573 to 1592). Legend holds that En no Gyoja,
who was using Tomogashima Islands as a sacredtraining site, prayed to the shrine’s god as a
guardian deity. For this reason, the head priest of
Shogo-in Temple joins large numbers of Shugendo
practitioners to make a pilgrimage here every April.

8

What better way to unwind after a day ofsightseeing than at Hiina no Yu hot spring?
From the ocean-facing open-air bath you
can see the peaceful, picturesque Kitan
Strait in the daytime and gorgeous sunsets
in the evening. Relax to your heart’s content
in the spacious bath and refreshing sea
breeze. The hot spring’s source, simple
spring water that is mildly alkaline, hasbeautifying properties and makes your skinfeel silky smooth after bathing.

See page 8.

10 min.
walk 073-459-1151 ↸ 142 Kada, Wakayama-shi,
Wakayama Prefecture  Adults 1,200 yen (includes aface towel)  11:00 to 14:30, 15:00 to 19:00
Note: If the hot spring is crowded, the number of day
visitors may be limited.
 Open year-round  50 spaces  Map P34 B2

Uoichi Shoten
Shop
At the shrine,
you can try yourluck with a paper
fortune in a tai(red sea bream)
mascotTop: Located near the Kada fishing port
Bottom: You can enjoy sunsets from the west-facing
open-air bath

6

After a visit to Awashima-jinja Shrine, why
not pick up some souvenirs at this shop
founded more than 60 years ago? Locatedon the approach to the shrine, Uoichi Shoten
is packed with seafood such as
Tomogashima nori (dried seaweed), furikake
nori (seaweed sprinkle), and Kada wakame
seaweed. In the shop, you can eat freshshellfish grilled right in front of you, such assazae no tsuboyaki (turban shell baked in
the shell) and okugai (hard clams).

Fresh seafood can be grilled right before your eyes

 073-459-0161 ↸ Awashima-jinja grounds, 118
Kada, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Prefecture 8:30 to 16:30  Closed irregularly 3 spaces  Map P34 B2

Buy souvenirs at
a seafood store
on the approachto the shrine

The main hall has been designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan

Fresh Fish
Cuisine Inasa

4

After exploring Tomogashima, savor a meal of red
sea bream, a specialty of Kada. At Inasa, enjoy
seafood right from the ocean to your plate, such as
red sea bream from Kada port caught using thepole-and-line method. Try the popular red sea
bream courses skillfully arranged by the proprietor,a Kada red sea bream expert. The courses let you
try the fish prepared in a variety of ways; including
as sashimi, simmered, and—to get the full flavor of
red sea bream—hot pot.
See page 8.
Taste red sea bream prepared in numerous ways withthe red sea bream mini course (3,850 yen)

From left: Umenori (plum-flavored dried seaweed) (570 yen),furikake nori (seaweed sprinkle) (620 yen), Tomogashima nori(dried seaweed) (1,450 yen), and kurage uni (jellyfish and sea
urchin) (from 900 yen)

3 min.

Short
walk

walk

Kada
Awashima-jinja
Shrine5After a satisfying meal, head over to
Kada Awashima-jinja, an ancient shrinewith a gorgeous vermilion main hall anda history that traces back tosemi-legendary Empress Jingu.
Countless hina dolls and maneki-neko(lucky cat figures) from all over Japan
have been dedicated here, and themain hall is crowded with dolls. The
shrine is reputed to be a magical andsacred site for women, answering theirprayers for recovery from gynecologicalillness, safe childbirth, and romance. In
the Hina-nagashi ritual held every year
on March 3, the dolls that have been
dedicated are ritually purified and thenset out to sea in boats.

Right: The shrine’s main hall is
lined with many dolls
Below: Sukunahikona no Mikoto,a god of medicine, is enshrined
here

See page 9.

29♦Itinerar

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Osaka
Inunakisan Valley

A key Katsuragi Shugen training site

Tour Inunakisan

START(Inunakisan
bus stop)

Inunakisan is a training ground of central importance in Katsuragi Shugen.
At the heart of Inunakisan is Shipporyu-ji Temple, said to have beenfounded by En no Gyoja in 661. This itinerary takes you to sacred training
sites as you enjoy hiking through the beautiful Inunakisan Valley.
Note: Foreign language assistance may not be available for all inquiries and facilities.

Short
walk

1

Let the mountains fill your senses as you
walk through this valley of lush primeval
forest. Besides a total of 48 waterfalls ofvarying sizes, you’ll love the natural colorsof the surroundings that change with eachseason, from fresh green in early summer
to bright orange and yellow in autumn.
With mountain-fresh air that fills your lungs
and a mystical mood that wafts through theentire valley, it’s no wonder this is known
as a sacred place brimming with a special
healing vibe.
 Izumisano City Tourism Association 072-469-3131↸ Ogi, Izumisano-shi, Osaka Prefecture  Visitanytime  Yes (30 spaces near Inunakisan bus stop;
30 spaces near Inunaki Bridge)  Map P34 D4

Inunakisan
itinerary
Short walk from Inunakisan bus stop

1

Inunakisan Valley
3 min. walk2

Cafe Terrace Ku
30 min. walk3

Gyoja no Taki Falls,
Shipporyu-ji Temple Kiyotakido
40 min. walk4

Inunakiyama Barbecue
niku-niku
12 min. walk5

Fudouguchikan

This route starts and ends at Inunakisan bus
stop. To get there, take the Nankai Wing Busfrom Nankai Izumisano Station (40-minute ride).
Changing seasons bring changing colors to the valley

Cafe Terrace Ku

2

3 min.

The owner built this rustic mountain cafe on theirown using a do-it-yourself approach. Just below
the terrace flows the Inunaki River, and thesurrounding forest draws you fully into thecurrent season, be it spring cherry blossoms orfall colors. Against the gentle murmur of thestream, enjoy meals including Inunaki pork andInunaki chicken, followed by home-madedesserts.

walk

The 28 sutra mounds of Inunakisan

 072-459-7381↸ 7 Ogi, Izumisano-shi, Osaka
Prefecture  9:00 to 20:00
 Thurs., Fri.  20 spaces
 Map P34 D4

Take a sweets breakon your hike

The mountainous area of Inunakisan, home to
Shipporyu-ji Temple, is itself a large Shugendo training
ground, dotted with training sites including the sevenwaterfalls. The area has a pilgrimage route covering 28
locations in the mountains, including training sites,
waterfalls, rocks, halls, and mini shrines, where each of
the chapters of the Lotus Sutra were buried and thatmirror the 28 Katsuragi Shugen sutra mounds incomparative microcosm. Some parts of the route aretreacherous. If you want to try some Shugendo training,
how about taking part in one-day training (reservations
required) at Shipporyu-ji Temple?

Take in the fresh mountainair on the terrace

30min.
The home-madeapple pie (500yen) is loadedwith apple

30

walk

Unwind in a hot
springsurrounded by
the beauty ofthe seasons

Top: Seseragi no Yu, an open-air bath besidean idyllic stream
Bottom: If you’re staying overnight, treat
yourself to a kaiseki multi-course dinner with
abundant seasonal ingredients

GOAL

Fudouguchikan

5

Kajika no Yu, the large men’s bath

Fudouguchikan, a hot-spring lodging beside a peacefulstream in Inunakisan, is the ideal way to recharge yourtired body. Gaze out on the fresh green forests of thevalley from an open-air bath by a stream, and let yourfive senses absorb the natural beauty as a soothingbreeze blows gently across your face. The baths havesoap and shampoo, and there are towels for sale, socome as you are and relax.

Top: You can bring your own
food if you like
Lower right: The Kashii Riverflows through the middle of
the area
Lower left: The large signlets you know you’ve arrived

Note: Hot spring for day visitors 800 yen; open 11:00 to
21:00 (enter by 20:00). If the hot spring is crowded, thenumber of day visitors may be limited.
See page 13.

12 min.
walk

The majestic waterfall cascading down the rocks
will bring you peace

The sound of thewaterfall amidst thequiet surroundings
creates a soothingatmosphere

Inunakiyama Barbecue
niku-niku

4

After a hike, come and enjoy a no-fuss barbecue next
to a forest stream. There’s nothing like the taste ofbarbecue in the fresh outdoor air. Satisfy your hunger
with the all-inclusive barbecue set (2,980 yen)comprising 150 grams of beef, 100 grams of chicken,
50 grams of pork, five kinds of vegetables, frankfurter,
and a rice ball. Enjoy swimming and splashing aroundin the nearby shallows of the Kashii River.
 072-459-7259 ↸ 1772 Ogi, Izumisano-shi, Osaka Prefecture All-inclusive barbecue: 2,980 yen 10:00 to 18:00 (reservations required) Closed irregularly  30 spaces  Map P34 D4

40 min.
walk

Gyoja no Taki Falls,
Shipporyu-ji Temple Kiyotakido

3

If you walk about 300 meters past the Shipporyu-ji Temple main hall, you’ll see the 10-meter-high
Gyoja no Taki Falls beyond the small vermilion Kiyotakido hall. Here you can view the waterfall
from up close. En no Gyoja and other historically renowned monks like Kukai are said to havemeditated under this waterfall. It’s a practice still popular among devout followers from all overJapan, and you can do it too if you make reservations in advance.
 072-459-7101 ↸ 8 Ogi, Izumisano-shi, Osaka Prefecture  7:30 to 16:30  Open year-round  50 spaces
 Map P34 D4

Right: A 7-meter-tall statue of Migawari (“substitute”) Fudo Myo-o
Left: The temple’s main hall is at the top of the path within the expansive
temple grounds

31

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♦
Nara

Mount Nijo
itineraryAn easy hike to the mountain top
and a walk around the base

15 min. walk from Kintetsu Taimadera Station

Visit Mount Nijo

1

10 min. walk2
Mount Nijo’s relatively moderate height and well maintained trail make iteasy to walk up, even for novice hikers. On the Odake Peak of Mount Nijo
is Daranihon, sutra mound #26 of Katsuragi Shugen. Here’s an itinerarythat lets you enjoy hiking in the mountains, visit Taima-dera Temple at thebase, and drop in to shops popular with locals.

3

Quadrifoglio Cafe
7 min. walk4

Taima no Ie Futakami Park
Taima Roadside Station
70 min. walk to Iwaya-toge Pass,
10 min. walk to Umanose,
where the path splits to the Medake Peakand Odake Peak, and 5 min.
walk to Odake PeakSTART
15 min.
walk

Kasa-do4 min. walk

Note: Foreign language assistance may not be available for all inquiries and facilities.

(Kintetsu
Taimadera
Station)Taima-dera Temple

5

Taima-dera Temple dates backto the Asuka Period

Odake Peak, Mount Nijo

(and walk to and from Medake Peak)

90 min. walk6

Minca465
10 min. walk7

Osaka Yamaguchi-jinja Shrine

2Kasa-do10 min.
walk

Taima-dera Temple

Ryuo-sha Shrine is dedicatedto a dragon god who En no
Gyoja prayed for to come from
KumanoKasa-do has been designated a Tangible Folk Cultural
Property by the Nara prefectural government. Its distinct
construction features a pyramid-shaped, clay-tile roof
supported by one square central pillar measuring
approximately 40 cm on each of its sides. Kasa means“umbrella” in Japanese. It was built in the early Edo
Period after the death of Honda Masakatsu, lord of the
Koriyama domain, who once ruled this area. There is aminiature shrine at the top of the east side of the central
pillar that is said to have held an Amida Buddha statue.
A temple bell used to hang under the eaves on the
structure’s north side.
 Commerce, Industry, and Tourism Department, Katsuragi City
0745-44-5111 ↸ 577 Someno, Katsuragi-shi, Nara Prefecture Visit anytime  None  Map P35 F2

1This ancient temple dating back to the Asuka Period
is believed to have been built when Taima no Kunimi
relocated Manpozo-in Temple, which had been built
by his grandfather, to the eastern base of Mount Nijo.
There’s plenty to see here as the temple precincts
are home to designated National Treasures including
a temple bell and main hall, as well as Nakanobo
and other monastery buildings. Nakanobo is theoldest of the subsidiary temples of Taima-dera. From
mid-April to early May, the peonies of the inner
garden are in bloom.
See page 25.

4 min.
walk

Kasa-do utilizes a unique,single-post construction

The cafe’s
specialty, panini,comes to you hot
off the grill

7 min.
Quadrifoglio Cafe

Above: You can sit at the counter, or
next to the large fish tank
Left: The panini set comes with a drink(1,200 yen)

32

3

A short walk from Kasa-do you’ll find an
exposed concrete building that exudes acontemporary feel. The chic interior features
Italian furniture chosen by the cafe owner andan aquarium with rare freshwater fish such asalligator gar and river stingray. Let the gently
swimming sea creatures soothe your mind as
you enjoy freshly brewed coffee andhome-made sweets.
 0745-43-9938 ↸ 22 Shinzaike, Katsuragi-shi, Nara
Prefecture  11:00 to 16:00  Wed., Thurs.
 10 spaces  Map P35 F2

walkThe shrine sits in Anamushi,
where remnants of an ancienthighway still linger

Minca465

GOAL

10 min.
walk

6

After your hike, take a walk down memory lane at this variety
store that the owner has decorated with his favorite era: themid-to-late 20th century. Inside you’ll find nostalgic
knick-knacks and toys, as well as artists’ works everywhere
you look. You’d be excused for thinking you’ve stepped into abygone era. Drop into the cafe, or take off your shoes andenter a relaxing, homey atmosphere.
 0745-27-8541 ↸ 465 Hata, Kashiba-shi, Nara Prefecture 11:00 to 17:00  Wed.  5 spaces  Map P35 F1Osaka
Yamaguchi-jinja
Shrine7

A dignified shrine sits at the top of stone
stairs. Locals know it as a sumo shrine,a place that years ago came alive withrevelers at the annual autumn festival.
 Commerce and Industry Department, Kashiba
City 0745-44-3312 ↸ Anamushi, Kashiba-shi, Nara
Prefecture  Visit anytime  None
 Map P35 F1

The shrine’s main sanctuary issurrounded by trees

The aluminum
tray adds a retro
touch

Taima no Ie
Futakami Park Taima
Roadside Station

4

90 min.

It’s like stepping
onto a movie set

Daily lunch (1,000 yen). Today it’s pan-cooked
spaghetti Napolitan (ketchup-flavored)walk

If you’re looking for souvenirs, check out thisroadside station (rest area) at the base of Mount
Nijo that is popular with hikers. It’s all about local
production for local consumption here: the many
specialty goods and the huge selection of breadand sweets baked fresh on site make for amind-boggling selection. The cheesecake (421
yen for the small size) is a big seller; in fact,many people order it in advance before it sells
out for the day.

Odake Peak, Mount Nijo

(and walk to and from Medake Peak)See page 25.
A popular item is the
bakery’s cheesecake
made with fresh eggs andplenty of cream cheese

5

Walk approximately 10 minutes from Umanose to reach the top of
the Odake Peak. At the summit and surrounded by sakaki trees issutra mound #26 of Katsuragi Shugen. The mound is marked by an
upright stone on top of a heap of natural stones. It’s worth taking the
15-minute walk to the top of the adjoining Medake Peak, where you
get a stunning panoramic view of not just the surrounding mountains
but as far away as Osaka Bay.
b
 Commerce, Industry, and Tourism Department, Katsuragi City 0745-44-5111↸ Someno, Katsuragi-shi, Nara Prefecture  Visit anytime  None  Map P35 E2

The twin peaks of Mount Nijo: the 517-meter Odake and the 474-meter Medake
A large selection of
specialty
processed foods
The selection includes pickled kikuimo(sunchokes) (648 yen), pea miso (496 yen),and mulberry leaf dressing (864 yen)

70 min. walk to
Iwaya-toge Pass,
10 min. walk to Umanose,
where the path splits
to the Medake Peakand Odake Peak,and 5 min.
walk to Odake Peak

33

Cultural Assets

Location Map

34

The cultural assets and tourist spots in thispamphlet can be viewed in detail on Google My
Maps (in Japanese). You’ll also find otherinformation useful for your visit, such asrecommendations and other things to watch for.

• The content is provided as a service of Google My Maps. Please be aware that the Katsuragi
Shugen Japan Heritage Promotion Office is not responsible for any problems or loss incurred
as a result of using this service.
• The service may not work on certain devices or operating systems.
• When using online, the normal internet provider usage fees apply.
• Note that things like the phone number and address of the places displayed on Google My
Maps may differ from those in this pamphlet. Use such information only as an approximation.
• Note that this service is subject to change or termination without prior notice.

35

Japan Heritage

Katsuragi Shugen

Wide Area Access Map

See the website
for details.
Read the story behind Katsuragi Shugen, key
facts about it, and commentary on its cultural
assets, along with tourist and event
information.

Katsuragi Shugen website

Katsuragi Shugen Facebook

https://katsuragisyugen-nihonisan.com/en/

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Published by: Katsuragi Shugen Japan Heritage Promotion Office, Tourism Promotion Section, Wakayama Prefectural Government
1-1 Komatsubara-dori, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama 640-8585, Japan
Tel: 073-441-2424 Fax: 073-432-8313
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Supported by a 2022 grant from the Agency for Cultural Affairs Cultural Resources Utilization Project