Iwaya Jinja

Deep in the mountains of Toho village in Fukuoka, Iwaya Jinja is a most unusual shrine whose main hall is built into a hollow of a towering crag known as Gongen Rock. Said to have been founded in the year 532, it enshrines a sacred stone called Hoju, believed to have fallen from the sky, and has long been revered as a holy place where gods and Buddhas descend and as an important training ground for mountain ascetics.

The present hall was erected in 1698 by Kuroda Tsunamasa, lord of the Fukuoka domain, and is designated an Important Cultural Property as a rare structure connected to the Hikosan tradition of mountain asceticism.

Highlights

- The main hall built as if cradled by the face of Gongen Rock, its unique form merging with the hollow of the crag - The mystical legend of the sacred Hoju stone, said to grant wishes - A silent precinct surrounded by giant rocks and deep forest, with the solemn air of an ascetic site - The historic hall designated an Important Cultural Property

Enjoying the Seasons

In the fresh green season the contrast between the rock face and young leaves is vivid, and in autumn the surrounding mountains blaze with color. Wrapped in deep forest, the precinct stays cool even in summer, offering quiet moments of prayer throughout the year.

Access and Basic Information

- Location: Hoshuyama, Toho, Asakura District, Fukuoka - Access: About 3 minutes by car or 15 minutes on foot from Chikuzen Iwaya Station on the JR Hitahikosan Line - Hours: Open all day - Admission: Free to enter the grounds

A Quick Tip

Reaching the hall involves climbing rocky ground and steep stone steps. Choose non slip footwear and watch your step as you take in the powerful sight of a hall fused with giant rock.