Sekiganji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Iwaya, Sannan-cho, Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture. It belongs to the Koyasan Shingon school of Buddhism and is also known as Iwaya-dera. Its mountain name is Iwayasan, and its principal object of worship is Bishamonten, the Buddhist deity associated with protection, fortune, and warriors.
The temple is celebrated as one of the Three Great Autumn Foliage Temples of Tamba, together with Kogenji Temple and Entsuji Temple. In autumn, its mountain paths and temple grounds are transformed by brilliant red and golden maple leaves. Sekiganji is also known for its connections to the Ashikaga clan, its impressive Nio guardian statues, and its long tradition of Buddhist worship, attracting both local visitors and travelers interested in Japanese history and culture.
According to temple tradition, Sekiganji was founded in 587, during the reign of Emperor Yomei. Its origins are associated with a legend about Prince Shotoku, one of the most influential figures in the early history of Japanese Buddhism.
The story relates that Prince Shotoku fought alongside Soga no Umako against Mononobe no Moriya. Before the battle, the prince carved an image of Bishamonten and placed it at the top of his helmet. After victory, the sacred image is said to have flown into the sky and disappeared.
Prince Shotoku traveled in search of the image until he discovered auspicious clouds hovering above a mountain in this region. Entering the mountain, he found the missing statue and established a Buddhist sanctuary at the site. This is traditionally regarded as the beginning of Sekiganji Temple.
The name Sekiganji contains the Japanese word gan, referring to a stone niche or chamber used to enshrine a Buddhist image. The temple’s Okunoin, or inner sanctuary, lies approximately 800 meters uphill from the present main hall. There, a natural rock cave houses an image of Bishamonten.
This sacred stone chamber is believed to be the origin of the temple’s name and remains one of its most significant historical and spiritual sites.
One of Sekiganji’s most important cultural treasures is the pair of imposing Nio guardian statues standing at the temple gate. These statues were created in 1242 by Koun, also known as Higo Betto Jokei, a Buddhist sculptor associated with the Kei school during the Kamakura period (1185–1333).
The statues are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan and are outstanding examples of medieval Buddhist sculpture. Sekiganji flourished particularly during the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, when it developed into an important religious center in the region.
During the Nanboku-cho period (1336–1392), Japan experienced a period of political conflict between rival imperial courts. Later, a struggle known as the Kannō Disturbance broke out between Ashikaga Takauji, the founder of the Ashikaga shogunate, and his younger brother, Tadayoshi.
After Takauji suffered a setback and temporarily fled Kyoto toward Harima Province, he entrusted his eldest son, Yoshiakira, to the care of the brothers Niki Yoriaki and Niki Yoshinaga, along with a force of approximately 2,000 mounted warriors stationed at Sekiganji.
According to local tradition, a monk at the temple presented Yoshiakira with chestnuts from Tamba. The young warrior is said to have composed a poem expressing the hope that, just as fallen chestnuts could sprout again, he too would rise to victory. He planted the chestnuts, which later became known as Tsumeato-guri or Teteuchi-guri.
The story became associated with Yoshiakira’s eventual rise to power and remains part of the temple’s historical lore, illustrating its connections to the political and military history of medieval Japan.
During the Sengoku period (approximately the mid-15th to late 16th century), Sekiganji suffered a devastating fire in 1579 amid Oda Nobunaga’s campaign to bring the Tamba region under his control. The forces led by Akechi Mitsuhide burned the temple complex, leaving only the main gate standing.
The temple gradually recovered during the Edo period (1603–1868). A main hall stood at the present Okunoin site in 1763, but it was subsequently destroyed by fire. In 1778, the temple was relocated to its current site, where the main hall was rebuilt.
The present main hall reflects this later reconstruction and provides a tangible link to the temple’s long history of destruction, renewal, and continued religious practice.
Okunoin is regarded as the birthplace of Sekiganji and occupies the site where the original main hall once stood. It is situated on an elevated area partway up Mount Iwaya, approximately a 20-minute walk along a mountain trail from the present main hall.
The sanctuary’s most distinctive feature is the rock cave containing the image of Bishamonten. Surrounded by the quiet mountain landscape, this sacred site offers visitors a sense of the temple’s ancient origins and the enduring spiritual traditions associated with the mountain.
To the west of the main hall stands Yakio Shrine, founded in 1241. It originally served as the temple’s guardian shrine and enshrined Benzaiten, a Buddhist-associated deity connected with water, wisdom, and the arts.
Following the Meiji government’s separation of Shinto and Buddhism in the late 19th century, the shrine’s principal deity was changed to Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto, a Shinto goddess associated with water and protection. The shrine illustrates the complex relationship between Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Japanese religious history.
The Nio guardian statues are among Sekiganji’s most valuable cultural assets. Created in the 13th century, they preserve the sculptural traditions of medieval Japan and remain a major highlight for visitors interested in Buddhist art.
Other attractions include a towering Chinese fir, known as Koyozan in the source description, which reaches approximately 37 meters and is described as the tallest of its kind in Hyogo Prefecture. Visitors can also see the water at Osozudani, traditionally believed to be the place where Prince Shotoku washed the image of Bishamonten.
Sekiganji is particularly popular during the autumn foliage season, when the temple grounds and surrounding mountains display vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. The combination of historic buildings, mountain scenery, and colorful maple trees creates an especially atmospheric setting for temple visits and photography.
The Sekiganji Maple Festival, associated with the Ashikaga clan, is held annually on the third Sunday of November. Events traditionally include Buddhist fire rituals known as goma and a procession of participants dressed as samurai warriors. The festival is a seasonal highlight that celebrates the temple’s historical heritage and autumn scenery.
The temple grounds contain numerous religious and historical structures, including the main hall, Yakushi Hall, Yakio Shrine, the priests’ quarters, a guest hall, a storehouse, a statue of Kobo Daishi, and the Nio Gate.
The main hall, rebuilt in 1778, stands as an important reminder of the temple’s Edo-period restoration. Beyond the main grounds, the mountain sanctuary and its sacred rock cave preserve the traditional setting associated with the temple’s foundation.
Sekiganji Temple brings together centuries of Buddhist tradition, medieval Japanese history, cultural treasures, and the natural beauty of the Tamba mountains. Its legends involving Prince Shotoku, its connections to the Ashikaga clan, and its remarkable guardian statues make it an appealing destination for travelers seeking to explore Japan beyond its major cities.
Autumn is an especially rewarding time to visit, when the temple’s historic architecture is framed by brilliant foliage. Whether exploring the main grounds, walking up to Okunoin, or attending the annual maple festival, visitors can experience a place where religious devotion, historical memory, and seasonal beauty come together.