Saishoji Temple is a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temple located in Omori, Oda City, Shimane Prefecture, within the historic townscape of the “Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and Its Cultural Landscape,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Blending naturally into the quiet mountain town, the temple preserves historic architecture and distinctive artistic traditions. It is an appealing destination for travelers interested in the history, culture, architecture, and traditional craftsmanship of Iwami Ginzan.
Saishoji was closely connected with the prosperity of the silver mine. More than simply a place of worship, it supported the spiritual and cultural life of the people of Omori. Historic buildings dating from the Edo period and examples of the distinctive local plaster art known as kote-e can still be seen today.
Saishoji is traditionally believed to have been founded in 1465. It was originally a Tendai Buddhist temple called Ryuusen-in. The temple later converted to Jodo Shinshu Buddhism and adopted the name Saishoji in 1524.
From the Warring States period through the Edo period, Iwami Ginzan developed into one of Japan’s major silver-mining centers. Merchants, craftsmen, samurai, and other people from across Japan gathered in Omori, creating a prosperous and lively mining town.
Saishoji stood at the heart of this community and became an important place of worship for local residents. The present Main Hall was rebuilt in 1845 and retains the substantial wooden architecture characteristic of the period.
Saishoji also had close connections with wealthy merchants and influential families who prospered through Iwami Ginzan. One of its best-known connections was with the Kumagai family, one of the most prominent merchant families in Omori.
The Kumagai family was involved not only in silver-mining operations but also in financial affairs and contract administration connected with the local magistrate’s office. Their activities contributed to the development of Iwami Ginzan and the surrounding community.
With support from such influential local families, Saishoji grew into one of the important temples of Omori. The historic street layout and traditional buildings around the temple still preserve the atmosphere of the Edo-period mining town.
One of the most fascinating features of Saishoji is the kote-e decorating its Sutra Repository.
Kote-e is a traditional Japanese form of plaster relief art. Craftsmen use a plastering trowel, or kote, to shape plaster into raised images and intricate patterns on walls and architectural surfaces.
This technique flourished particularly in the Iwami region from the Meiji period through the early Showa period. Temples, merchant residences, storehouses, and other buildings were decorated with elaborate plaster artwork.
Many designs carried auspicious meanings. Dragons, phoenixes, peonies, and other motifs were used to express wishes for protection from fire, warding off evil, prosperity in business, and good fortune.
The remarkable kote-e at Saishoji was created by Eikichi Matsuura (1858–1927), a master plasterer from the Iwami region. He was so highly regarded for his exceptional craftsmanship that he was sometimes called the “God of Plastering.”
His celebrated work, “The Phoenix,” on the Sutra Repository was created around the middle of the Taisho period, when Matsuura was reaching the age of 60.
The delicate three-dimensional forms are so finely executed that it can be difficult to believe they were made from plaster. The phoenix is a legendary bird from Chinese mythology and is traditionally associated with peace and prosperity.
Surrounding the phoenix are beautifully rendered peonies and chrysanthemums, creating an exceptionally ornate composition that demonstrates the extraordinary skill of the craftsman.
The plastering techniques of the Iwami region earned a high reputation throughout Japan. Craftsmen such as Eikichi Matsuura traveled widely, working in cities including Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, and some also worked on the Korean Peninsula at the time.
Iwami craftsmanship is also said to have been used in prestigious buildings such as the National Diet Building and the East Palace. The kote-e at Saishoji therefore provides a valuable surviving example of a highly developed regional craft tradition.
The quiet grounds of Saishoji contain several buildings that convey the temple’s long history.
The Main Hall was rebuilt in 1845. Its substantial wooden structure has a dignified yet peaceful appearance, while the warmth of the timber reflects the traditional character of Japanese temple architecture.
The Sutra Repository is even older and is believed to have been built in 1739. It is one of the temple’s most historically valuable structures and was traditionally used to store Buddhist scriptures.
Together, these buildings provide an opportunity to appreciate both the religious traditions and architectural heritage that developed alongside Iwami Ginzan.
Saishoji is not simply a historic cultural site. It continues to serve as a temple closely connected with the local community.
Events such as temple yoga, rakugo storytelling performances, and stargazing gatherings are held at the temple. Local residents and visitors can come together in the historic surroundings, creating opportunities for cultural exchange.
The way Saishoji connects its centuries-old heritage with contemporary community life is one of the temple’s distinctive qualities.
Saishoji is surrounded by many important historic sites associated with Iwami Ginzan, making it a natural stop during a walking tour of Omori.
Ryugenji Mabu is the best-known publicly accessible mine tunnel at Iwami Ginzan. Visitors can enter the former mining site and see traces of the excavation methods used during the Edo period, including marks left by miners’ tools.
Nearby Kigami Shrine is famous for its colorful “Singing Dragon” ceiling painting. When visitors clap their hands beneath the dragon, the sound reverberates through the building, creating a remarkable effect that seems to make the dragon sing.
At the historic Kumagai Residence, visitors can learn about the lifestyle and architecture of a wealthy merchant family during the Edo period. The residence provides an insight into the merchants whose activities helped support the prosperity of Iwami Ginzan.
Omori itself is one of the great attractions of a visit to Saishoji. Traditional buildings with Sekishu red-tiled roofs, narrow lanes, old houses, stone walls, and small waterways create an atmospheric streetscape.
Walking through the town can feel like stepping back into the world of a historic Japanese mining community. Traditional houses have also been adapted into cafés, shops, confectionery stores, and other small businesses, allowing visitors to explore the area at a relaxed pace.
One particularly well-known destination is Gungendo, a lifestyle brand associated with Iwami Ginzan. Its shop occupies a traditional house and offers a variety of products related to clothing, food, and everyday living, attracting visitors interested in the region’s contemporary interpretation of traditional Japanese life.
Saishoji is much more than a sightseeing attraction. Its grounds preserve the history of the people who supported Iwami Ginzan, local religious traditions, traditional craftsmanship, and the cultural heritage of Omori.
Standing before the intricate kote-e and imagining the prosperous silver-mining town of centuries past provides a memorable way to connect with the history of Iwami Ginzan.
The peaceful atmosphere of Omori and its carefully preserved historic streets further enhances the experience. A visit to Saishoji can therefore be enjoyed not only as a temple visit but also as part of a broader journey through the cultural landscape of Iwami Ginzan.
Saishoji Temple is located in Omori, Oda City, Shimane Prefecture.
The temple is approximately 10 minutes by car from the Nima-Iwami Ginzan Interchange on the San’in Expressway.
From Oda-shi Station on the JR San’in Main Line, take an Iwami Kotsu bus bound for the Omori area. Get off at the Omori Daikansho-ato bus stop and continue on foot.
Combining a visit to Saishoji with a walk through the historic streets of Iwami Ginzan allows travelers to experience the area’s history, architecture, craftsmanship, and religious heritage as part of one memorable journey.