Iwashominji Temple (岩松院)

Flow of the course

About this spot

An ancient Soto Zen temple nestled at the base of Mount Karashida on the edge of Obuse town. The ceiling of the main hall is completely covered by Katsushika Hokusai's late-life masterpiece, "Eight-Directional Phoenix," which legend says meets your gaze from any viewing angle. Sitting on the tatami mats and looking up, you'll lose track of time admiring the vividly painted feathers. The grounds also contain a stone monument inscribed with a haiku by poet Kobayashi Issa and a mausoleum dedicated to Fukushima Masatsugu, packing many highlights into a small temple.

Tips

Remove your shoes before entering the main hall. Photographing the ceiling painting is prohibited, so imprint it in your memory. It's about a 20-minute walk from the town center, so using a car or taxi is recommended on rainy days. Free parking is available.

Best time to visit

Allow approximately 45 minutes. Late afternoon before closing is quiet and conducive to peaceful viewing

Access & map

〒381-0211 Nagano Prefecture, Kamitakai District, Obuse Town, Karita 615