Iwanezawa Sanzan Shrine (former Nichigetsu-ji Temple)

Flow of the course

About this spot

This shrine stands in Iwanezawa (岩根沢), one of the pilgrimage entry points to Mt. Gassan (月山). Until the Meiji-era separation of Shinto and Buddhism, it flourished as the Tendai-sect temple Nichigetsu-ji (日月寺), and the present main hall was rebuilt in 1841. It has a rare structure that houses the main hall, guest hall, and priests' quarters all in one building, and was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 2000 as one of the largest wooden structures in the Tohoku region. This grand, unpainted-wood building is impressive up close, making it especially recommended for history-loving families. Located within the same Nishikawa Town (西川町) as the festival venue, it makes a good stop before the festival.

Tips

Closed on Mondays, and visits are not possible in winter. It's reassuring to check whether it's open before heading out.

Best time to visit

About 20 minutes. We recommend stopping by during the cool hours before evening.

Access & map

山形県西村山郡西川町大字岩根沢字上ノ平94