Takedera (Hachioji Temple)

Quietly nestled in a mountain village of Hanno City, Takedera, formally named Iozan Yakujuin Hachioji, is a center of mountain worship said to have been opened in the year 857 by the great teacher Jikaku Daishi. It enshrines Gozu Tenno and is affectionately known to locals as Tenno-sama. Though it is a temple, a torii gate stands in the grounds, preserving the distinctive atmosphere of blended Shinto and Buddhist faith, and it is also known as the concluding temple of the Musashino thirty three Kannon pilgrimage.

True to its name, the grounds are wrapped in a bamboo grove full of stillness and cool freshness. It is a hidden healing temple, perfect for those who wish to calm their hearts away from the bustle of tourist crowds.

Highlights

• A rare sight where a torii gate at the entrance and the main hall coexist, a hallmark of blended worship
• You can pass through a chinowa ring of cogon grass to purify body and mind and ward off misfortune
• Shojin vegetarian cuisine served in bamboo vessels offers a simple, deeply flavorful taste of seasonal mountain ingredients (reservation required)
• The green tunnel formed by the bamboo grove is a healing space that settles the mind just by walking through it

Enjoying the Seasons

Spring offers the lively green of young bamboo, summer the cool shade of the grove, autumn a beautiful contrast with the surrounding foliage, and winter the supple forms of snow dusted bamboo. The changing expressions of the grove can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 704 Minami, Hanno City, Saitama (near Ne-no-Gongen)
• About 30 minutes by taxi from Hanno Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line or Higashi-Hanno Station on the JR line (roughly several thousand yen one way as a guide)
• Another way is to take an Kokusai Kogyo bus from the north exit of Hanno Station, get off at the terminus, and walk the mountain road
• It is linked to Ne-no-Gongen by a hiking trail
• The visit and prayer counter is open from about 9:00 in the morning to around 4:00 in the afternoon, with parking available

Practical Travel Notes

• Allow about 30 minutes to an hour to explore the bamboo grove and grounds. If you dine on the vegetarian cuisine, leave yourself extra time
• The vegetarian cuisine requires a reservation and features a seasonal menu served in bamboo vessels. A pickup from the nearest bus stop may be arranged for those with reservations, so it is best to check when booking
• The beauty of the bamboo grove can be enjoyed in any season, but the fresh green of spring and the autumn leaves are especially worth seeing. To avoid crowds, weekdays are recommended
• The mountain paths can be slippery, so visiting in comfortable shoes is reassuring
• As for cost, the vegetarian cuisine is a set course price (reservation required), while amulets and shrine seals run from a few hundred to a little over a thousand yen
• It is linked by a hiking course to Ne-no-Gongen, and visiting both lets you savor the faith culture of the Hanno mountain villages in a day

A Quick Tip

If you wish to enjoy the vegetarian cuisine, a reservation is required in advance. Combining it with Ne-no-Gongen lets you fully savor the faith culture of the Hanno mountain villages. The mountain paths can be slippery, so watch your footing. Because buses are limited in number, planning with a good mix of taxi and hiking is reassuring.

📚 Sources

This article draws on tourism guidance for the city of Hanno and the Okumusashi area about Takedera (Hachioji), its syncretic chi-no-wa ring, and its vegetarian cuisine, along with notices posted on the grounds and public materials on the Musashino Thirty-Three Kannon pilgrimage. The Gozu Tenno worship and the founding legend are also introduced in regional materials. Because the vegetarian meal requires a reservation, please confirm its content and price when booking. As fees and hours may change, please confirm the latest details through official sources before visiting.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About 30 minutes to an hour to tour the bamboo grove and grounds, with extra time if you take the vegetarian meal
• Reservation: The seasonal vegetarian cuisine served in bamboo vessels requires a reservation, and it is best to confirm any pickup service when booking
• Clothing and items: The mountain path is slippery, so comfortable walking shoes are advised
• Access: About 30 minutes by taxi from Hanno or Higashi-Hanno Station, or by bus and on foot from the north exit of Hanno Station
• Avoiding crowds: Spring greenery and autumn foliage are the highlights, and weekdays are best for avoiding crowds
• Budget: The vegetarian meal is a set-course price by reservation, while amulets and seals range from a few hundred to low thousands of yen