Rokuji-no-Kane, meaning the “Six O’Clock Bell,” is a historic bell tower on Mount Koya (Koyasan) in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture. It stands near the entrance to Jabaramichi, the approach leading toward Danjogaran, on the western side of Kongobuji Temple, the head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism.
For centuries, the bell has marked the passing of time for monks and visitors to Mount Koya. Even today, it is rung at even-numbered hours from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., allowing its deep sound to echo through the quiet mountain sanctuary.
The bell is more than a practical signal of the time. Its regular sound marks important moments in the daily lives of Buddhist monks and provides visitors with a peaceful opportunity to pause and reflect amid the spiritual atmosphere of Koyasan.
The history of Rokuji-no-Kane dates back to 1618, during the early Edo period. The original bell tower was donated by Fukushima Masanori, a prominent samurai lord who had served under Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Fukushima Masanori dedicated the bell tower to the memory of his parents, praying for their peaceful repose. Although he is remembered primarily as a warrior of the Sengoku and early Edo periods, the construction of the bell tower reflects his devotion to his parents and his faith.
The original bell tower was later destroyed by fire, and the bell itself was lost in 1640. It was subsequently rebuilt by Masanori’s son, Fukushima Masatoshi, establishing the foundation of the bell tower that survives today.
The present bell is believed to have been recast around 1645. Having endured for centuries, it continues to stand as a witness to the long religious history of Mount Koya.
The name Rokuji-no-Kane comes from the times at which the bell is traditionally rung.
Before modern Japan adopted the standardized 24-hour clock, time was traditionally divided according to a system known as twelve temporal hours. At Buddhist temples and monasteries, bells were used to mark important points in the daily schedule.
At Mount Koya today, the bell is rung every two hours at even-numbered hours between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Since the first bell of the day sounds at 6:00 a.m., it became known as the “Six O’Clock Bell.”
The bell is rung nine times each day. Its sound has a different character depending on the time of day: the clear morning air carries the first ringing through the mountains, while the evening bell blends with the fading light, and the final ringing resonates through the quiet of the night.
Rokuji-no-Kane serves a purpose beyond simply telling people what time it is.
Mount Koya is one of Japan’s most important centers of Shingon Buddhism, an esoteric Buddhist tradition founded in Japan by Kukai, also known as Kobo Daishi. Within this spiritual environment, the sound of a temple bell can carry a deeper meaning.
The regular ringing helps monks organize their daily practices and reminds them to turn their attention away from distractions and desires and toward compassion, discipline, and spiritual awakening.
For visitors, hearing the bell can have a similar effect. The sound creates a moment to step away from the busyness of everyday life and become aware of the present moment.
The deep resonance of the bell spreading through the quiet mountain forest is therefore one of the most evocative expressions of Koyasan’s spiritual culture.
Another interesting feature of Rokuji-no-Kane is the bell inscription, known in Japanese as a shomei.
Temple bells in Japan traditionally carry inscriptions written in classical Chinese-style text. The inscription on Rokuji-no-Kane is unusual because it includes kana characters alongside Chinese characters.
This distinctive writing style has also given the bell value as a historical source, providing a glimpse into the religious culture and written traditions of the Edo period.
The words engraved on the centuries-old bell preserve traces of Koyasan’s religious history, the culture of early modern Japan, and the people whose faith inspired its construction.
Rokuji-no-Kane is also associated with an intriguing local legend involving Ishikawa Goemon, a famous outlaw figure in Japanese folklore.
According to the legend, an iron clamp hidden by Goemon remains within the stonework supporting the bell tower.
Local tradition says that touching this clamp can strengthen one’s relationships and bonds with other people. Although this is a folk tradition rather than a historical fact, the story adds another layer of mystery and character to the historic bell tower.
Several bells that once marked the passage of time have survived around Mount Koya. Among them, Rokuji-no-Kane is particularly accessible to visitors because of its location near Kongobuji Temple and the approach to Danjogaran.
Together with the famous Koya Shiro, the Great Bell of the Great Pagoda at Danjogaran, it is one of the sounds and sights closely associated with Mount Koya.
As you walk through Koyasan, you may suddenly hear the deep resonance of a temple bell drifting through the quiet mountain air.
That sound connects the present with centuries of history. It is a reminder that Mount Koya remains a living center of Buddhist practice, where traditions of prayer and contemplation continue to shape everyday life.
From Koyasan Station, take a Nankai Rinkan Bus bound for Okunoin-mae. The journey takes approximately 11 minutes. Get off at the Senjuinbashi bus stop and continue on foot toward the bell tower.
Rokuji-no-Kane is approximately 23 kilometers from the Kihoku-Katsuragi Interchange on the Keinawa Expressway.
Parking areas are available around Mount Koya, although they can become crowded during peak sightseeing seasons. Allowing extra time for parking and walking is recommended.
Rokuji-no-Kane is much more than an old bell tower. For more than four centuries, it has watched over monks, pilgrims, and visitors to Mount Koya, becoming a symbol of the area’s religious traditions and history.
Beginning with the first ringing of the morning and ending with the final bell at night, its sound gives visitors a sense of the passage of time in this sacred mountain environment.
When exploring Kongobuji Temple, Danjogaran, and the surrounding areas of Koyasan, take a moment to stop and admire the historic bell tower. If you hear the bell ringing, pause for a moment and listen to its deep resonance.
In the quiet mountains of Koyasan, the sound of Rokuji-no-Kane offers a rare opportunity to experience a living tradition that has connected generations of monks and pilgrims with the rhythm of time.