Mizusawa-dera Temple is a Tendai Buddhist temple in Mizusawa, Ikaho Town, Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture. The temple’s mountain name is Gotokuzan, and its formal name is Muryojui-in. Its principal object of worship is the Eleven-Headed, Thousand-Armed Kannon, and the temple is widely known as the 16th temple of the Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, one of the major Buddhist pilgrimage routes in the Kanto region.
For centuries, the temple has been affectionately known as Mizusawa Kannon. Located at the eastern foot of Mount Mizusawa, part of the Haruna mountain range, Mizusawa-dera is surrounded by forests and mountains, offering a peaceful setting where visitors can experience both Japanese Buddhist traditions and the area’s long history.
The temple is also famous for the restaurants along its approach, where visitors can enjoy Mizusawa udon, a local specialty traditionally counted among Japan’s three great udon varieties. A visit to Mizusawa-dera can therefore combine religious heritage, historic architecture, and local cuisine.
The exact date of Mizusawa-dera’s foundation is unknown, but temple tradition states that it was established around the 7th century during the Asuka period. According to tradition, the temple was founded by Ekan, a Buddhist monk who came to Japan from Goguryeo, at the imperial request of either Emperor Suiko or Empress Jito.
Another tradition states that Takamitsu, governor of the ancient province of Kozuke, founded the temple. There is also a story that his wife, Ikaho-hime, enshrined a Thousand-Armed Kannon to pray for her husband’s spiritual repose.
This tradition is recorded in the medieval collection of Buddhist and Shinto tales known as the Shinto-shu, compiled during the Northern and Southern Courts period. It reflects the long history of religious devotion associated with Mizusawa-dera.
During the medieval period, Mizusawa-dera is said to have been a very large temple complex containing more than 300 buildings. Many of these structures were later destroyed by warfare and fire.
Approximately 700 meters southeast of the present temple lies the archaeological site known as the Mizusawa Abandoned Temple Site. It is believed to represent the remains of an earlier temple associated with Mizusawa-dera. Ancient roof tiles and foundation stones have been discovered there, indicating the presence of a mountain temple dating to around the 10th century.
Mizusawa-dera experienced another period of growth during the Edo period. The temple’s revival was particularly associated with Sonshu Hoin, who died in 1658 and is regarded as the temple’s restorer and revitalizing founder.
In 1649, the Tokugawa shogunate granted the temple a 25-koku red-seal land grant. Mizusawa-dera subsequently became a temple associated with prayers for the Tokugawa family and gained further prominence.
Many of the buildings that survive today were reconstructed from the middle to the late Edo period. Their elaborate decoration and traditional design make them valuable examples of early modern Japanese Buddhist architecture.
The central building of the temple is the Kannon-do Hall, or main hall. The present structure was rebuilt in 1787 and is designated an Important Cultural Property of Gunma Prefecture.
The hall has a five-bay structure and combines the decorative character of early modern architecture with the restrained elegance associated with older Japanese architectural traditions. Intricate openwork and fully carved decorations can be seen around the entrance porch, making the building notable for its artistic craftsmanship.
The hall enshrines the temple’s hidden principal image, the Eleven-Headed, Thousand-Armed Kannon. Since ancient times, this Kannon has been revered as Yuzuri Kannon, a compassionate Buddhist figure believed to help people fulfill their wishes and overcome difficulties.
One of the most distinctive structures on the temple grounds is the Hexagonal Two-Story Pagoda, or Rokkakudo. Built during the Edo period, it is designated an Important Cultural Property of Gunma Prefecture.
The hall enshrines the Six Jizo Bodhisattvas, who are traditionally associated with protecting beings in the six realms of existence: hell, hungry ghosts, animals, fighting spirits, humans, and heavenly beings.
The six Jizo figures inside can be rotated. Visitors traditionally rotate them three times to receive the merit associated with making offerings and prayers.
Dainichi Nyorai, the Cosmic Buddha, is enshrined on the upper floor, giving the building a symbolic connection with the Buddhist conception of the universe.
The Niomon Gate stands at the entrance to the temple approach. This two-story gate was built during the Genroku era and was designated an Important Cultural Property of Gunma Prefecture in 2023.
Inside the gate are statues of the Nio guardian figures, traditionally believed to protect the temple and its visitors. The ceiling features a painting of a dragon by the Edo-period artist Kano Tankun, making the gate one of the highlights of the temple grounds.
The temple’s bell tower houses a large Buddhist bell known as the Yamato Bell, cast in 1975. Visitors are also allowed to ring the bell, while the traditional Joya no Kane ceremony on New Year’s Eve attracts many people who come to ring the bell and welcome the new year.
The Shakado Hall was built as part of a major restoration project during the Heisei era. Inside are numerous Buddhist statues, including the Shaka Triad, sculptures attributed to the Buddhist sculptor Enku, and the Twenty-Eight Attendants.
Images representing the 33 temples of the Bando Kannon Pilgrimage are also displayed here. The hall has an Osuna-fumi area, where visitors can symbolically experience the pilgrimage by walking over sacred sand associated with the various pilgrimage temples.
Ryu-o Benzaiten is enshrined within the temple grounds, where a sacred spring emerges. The water has traditionally been regarded as a “sacred water that brings prosperity and heals illness.” Even today, many visitors come to draw water from the spring.
A magnificent cedar tree estimated to be approximately 700 years old stands within the temple grounds. Known as the Mizusawa Kannon Cedar, it is designated a Natural Monument of Shibukawa City.
Having stood for centuries, the enormous tree has watched over the temple and its worshippers and has become one of the symbolic features of Mizusawa-dera.
Mizusawa-dera is the 16th temple on the Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, a major pilgrimage route through the Kanto region.
The pilgrimage is traditionally associated with the Kannon devotion of Minamoto no Yoritomo in the early Kamakura period. Pilgrims travel between the 33 sacred sites, offering prayers and paying respects to Kannon, the Buddhist embodiment of compassion.
Because Mizusawa-dera is located close to the famous Ikaho Onsen resort, it has long attracted both pilgrims and travelers exploring the area.
The approach to Mizusawa-dera is lined with restaurants specializing in Mizusawa udon. This local style of udon is often described as one of Japan’s three great udon varieties, alongside Sanuki udon and Inaniwa udon.
According to tradition, Mizusawa udon originated when local residents served hand-made noodles to people visiting Mizusawa-dera. The noodles were made using locally grown wheat and clear spring water from Mount Mizusawa.
Mizusawa udon is characterized by its translucent white noodles, firm texture, and smooth mouthfeel. Enjoying a bowl after visiting the temple has become one of the classic experiences for travelers exploring the Mizusawa and Ikaho areas.
Many worshippers visit the temple at the beginning of the year. Goma fire prayers are conducted in the main hall as part of the New Year’s observances.
During Setsubun, the temple holds the Setsubun Tsui-na Ceremony, a traditional event for driving away evil influences. Bean-throwing is among the activities associated with the celebration.
The Flower Festival celebrates the birth of the Buddha. Visitors pour sweet tea over a small image of the infant Buddha and offer prayers.
On New Year’s Eve, the temple bell is traditionally struck 108 times to symbolically dispel the worldly desires that are believed to cause human suffering and to welcome the new year. General visitors can also take part in the bell-ringing ceremony.
Temple: Gotokuzan Muryojui-in Mizusawa-dera
Common Name: Mizusawa Kannon
School: Tendai Buddhism
Address: 214 Mizusawa, Ikaho Town, Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture
Principal Image: Eleven-Headed, Thousand-Armed Kannon
Pilgrimage: No. 16 of the Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage
On bazara tarama kiriku sowaka
Tanomikuru kokoro mo kiyoki Mizusawa no
Fukaki negai o uru zo ureshiki
Mizusawa-dera Temple (Mizusawa Kannon) is one of the Kanto region’s historic Kannon pilgrimage sites, with a history traditionally said to stretch back more than 1,300 years. Together with Ikaho Onsen, it is one of the major attractions of Shibukawa City.
From its ornate Edo-period architecture and valuable cultural properties to its long tradition of Kannon worship and the famous Mizusawa udon restaurants along the temple approach, Mizusawa-dera brings together history, religion, architecture, nature, and local food in one destination.
When visiting Ikaho Onsen, consider adding Mizusawa-dera to your itinerary. A visit to this peaceful mountain temple offers an opportunity to experience centuries of Japanese Buddhist tradition while enjoying the distinctive atmosphere of the Mizusawa area.