Iwayaji Temple (岩屋寺)
4.5
This temple belongs to the Buzan sect of Shingon Buddhism and is located in KumakogenTown in Kamiukena County, Ehime Prefecture, and it is the 45th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. The hall erected to look like it is embedded in a large rock is one of the striking features of this sacred mountain site. It is said that in 815, a female deity gifted the mountains to Kukai, where he proceeded to sculpt stone and wooden statues of Acala. The wooden statue is enshrined in the main hall as the principal image. The stone statue is enshrined in a cave as a statue rarely shown to the public and is said to be the principal image for the whole mountain. The temple grounds were designated a national Places of Scenic Beauty, and the Kobo Daishi hall that was rebuilt in 1920 is a National Important Cultural Property. The “seriwari-zenjo” site where Kukai is said to have meditated is also worth visiting.
Review of Kaiganzan Iwayaji Temple
TripAdvisor Traveler RatingThe temple is located on a hill that does require you be able to walk a reasonable distance up and use stairs. My mother joined us and didnt have an issue with this, and...
There is a very steep ladder to the uppermost part of the temple which is set...
Details
- Address
- Ehime Pref. Kamiukenagunkumakougenchou Nanatori 1468 [map]
- Area
- Matsuyama / DogoArea
- Phone
- 0892570417
- Hours
- 7:00-17:00
- Closed
- open everyday
- Fees
- Precincts freedom
- Parking Lot
- Not available (Neighborhood Private Charge Parking Available)
- Credit Card
- Not available
- Smoking
- Not available
- Wi-Fi
- Not available
Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN
Access
Ehime Areas

Stretched across the northwest corner of Shikoku island, Ehime is a nature-rich prefecture boasting beautiful coastlines and a rural center where mountains play host to 26 of the Buddhist temples that make up the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Matsuyama is home to an original post-feudal castle as well as Dogo Onsen, one of the country’s oldest natural hot springs. The northern city of Imabari marks the entrance to the Shimano Kaido, a road that crosses six spectacular bridges and several islands, forming a route between Shikoku and mainland Honshu.