Complete Guide to Sangakuji Temple | History and Highlights of the Ancient Tendai Sect Temple Associated with Saicho, Nestled in Yunoyama Onsen
Located in Yunoyama Onsen, Komono-cho, Mie-gun, Mie Prefecture, Sangakuji Temple is an ancient Tendai sect temple of the Sanmon school, said to have been founded in 807 AD (Daido 2) by Saicho (Dengyo Daishi) during the early Heian period. Once a large temple with hundreds of warrior monks, it wielded influence throughout the northern Ise region. Despite experiencing the historical event of being burned down by Oda Nobunaga, it now attracts many visitors as a temple associated with the “Paper Crane Legend” and love.
This article comprehensively introduces information you should know before visiting Sangakuji Temple, including its history of over 1200 years, highlights, access methods, and nearby tourist attractions.
Overview and Basic Information of Mitake-ji Temple
Official Name and Location
The official name of Mitake-ji Temple is “Kanpozan Mitake-ji.” While it is sometimes written as “Mitake-ji,” the official spelling from its founding is “Mitake-ji,” and using the character “嶽” is accurate.
Location: 8550 Komono, Komono-cho, Mie-gun, Mie Prefecture
Sect: Tendai-shu Sanmon-ha
Principal Image: Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha)
Founder: Saicho (Dengyo Daishi)
Founded: Daido 2 (807)
How to Access Mitake-ji Temple
Mitake-ji Temple is located in the heart of the Yunoyama Onsen hot spring resort area and is accessible by both public transport and car.
Access by Train and Bus:
- Get off at Yunoyama Onsen Station on the Kintetsu Yunoyama Line.
- Take the Mie Kotsu bus bound for Yunoyama Onsen/Gozaisho Ropeway (approx. 8 minutes).
- Get off at the Yunoyama Onsen/Gozaisho Ropeway bus stop and walk for about 5 minutes.
Access by Car:
- Approximately 20 minutes from Yokkaichi IC on the Tomeihan Expressway.
- Approximately 10 minutes from Komono IC on the Shin-Meishin Expressway.
- Use the public parking lot in Yunoyama Onsen (prior parking is limited, so advance confirmation is recommended).
History of Mitake-ji Temple
Founding in the Heian Period and Connection with Saicho
Mitake-ji Temple is said to have been founded in 807 (Daido 2) by Saicho (Dengyo Daishi), the founder of the Tendai sect. Saichō established Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei in 788 AD, and Mitake-ji Temple was founded as a branch temple during the Daidō era (806-810 AD).
Initially, Mitake-ji Temple was not located in its current location, but rather in a more rugged area within the mountains of Kunimi-dake, the main peak of Mount Gozaisho. This location reflects its character as a mountain training ground for Tendai Buddhist monks undergoing rigorous ascetic practices.
Period of Prosperity as a Base for Warrior Monks
During the Heian and Kamakura periods, when the Tendai sect flourished, Mitake-ji Temple developed into a large temple with several hundred warrior monks. Warrior monks were armed monks, military groups organized to protect the interests of temples.
The warrior monks of Mitake-ji Temple controlled Tendai temples throughout northern Ise, exercising religious and political influence in the region. Many warrior monks gathered in the monks’ quarters, and it functioned as a base for mountain religion.
During this period, Mitake-ji Temple was not merely a religious facility, but played a part in the regional power structure. Just as the warrior monks of Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei wielded significant influence in Kyoto, it is believed that Mitake-ji Temple also played an important role in northern Ise.
Burning and Decline by Oda Nobunaga
The biggest turning point in the history of Mitake-ji Temple was the burning by Oda Nobunaga around 1568.
In his pursuit of unifying Japan, Nobunaga ruthlessly suppressed religious forces throughout the country. He showed no mercy, especially to warrior monks of the Tendai sect. The burning of Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei (1571) is historically famous, but it is believed that Mitake-ji Temple suffered a similar fate a few years earlier.
The burning reduced the temple buildings of Mitake-ji to ashes, and the group of warrior monks, which numbered several hundred, was annihilated. This incident completely extinguished Mitake-ji’s influence in northern Ise, permanently destroying its status as a major temple.
Reconstruction in the Edo Period and the Present
After the burning, Mitake-ji was gradually rebuilt, but it never regained its former scale or power. During the Edo period, with the development of Yunoyama Onsen (hot spring resort), it continued to exist as a temple visited by people going to the hot springs.
While the current Mitake-ji no longer resembles its former grandeur, its historical value and its new appeal as a temple of love and marriage, based on the “Origami Crane Legend,” attract many visitors.
The Origami Crane Legend and the Temple of Love and Marriage
Summary of the Origami Crane Legend
Mitake-ji became known as a “temple of love and marriage” due to the “Origami Crane Legend” passed down in this region.
This legend tells the tragic love story of Aoi, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, and Sakichi, a servant. Suffering from their love across social classes, the two secretly met at Mitake-ji Temple. It is said that Aoi entrusted her feelings for Sakichi to an origami crane, pledging their love to each other.
However, due to the insurmountable barrier of their differing social statuses, their love never came to fruition, and it met a tragic end. This poignant story transformed Mitake-ji Temple into a sacred site visited by people praying for success in love.
Origami Crane Prayer Offering
In keeping with the legend of the origami crane, Mitake-ji Temple holds an “Origami Crane Prayer Offering” every early spring. Worshippers offer origami cranes imbued with their wishes, praying for success in love and good fortune in relationships.
This event revives the ancient legend in the modern age, breathing new life into Mitake-ji Temple. The act of entrusting one’s wishes to an origami crane has been embraced by many young people as a way to connect traditional Japanese forms of prayer with modern views on love.
Highlights of Mitake-ji Temple
Main Hall and Temple Grounds
The current main hall of Mitake-ji Temple was rebuilt after being burned down by Oda Nobunaga. While smaller in scale than its predecessors, it retains the solemn atmosphere of a Tendai Buddhist temple.
The principal image, Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha), is believed to grant healing from illness and promote longevity, and has attracted worshippers from those visiting for hot spring therapy. As a temple located in the hot spring resort of Yunoyama Onsen, having Yakushi Nyorai as its principal image is very logical.
Kannon-yama Mountain and the Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage
On Kannon-yama Mountain, where Mitake-ji Temple is located, you can take a pilgrimage to the thirty-three Kannon statues. Kannon statues, modeled after the 33 Kannon pilgrimage sites of Saigoku, are scattered throughout the mountains. It is believed that visiting these statues grants the same blessings as completing the Saigoku pilgrimage.
Along the Kannon pilgrimage route, you can overlook the Yunoyama Onsen hot spring town, and on clear days, there are viewpoints offering breathtaking views all the way to Ise Bay. There are also places where you can see the source of the hot springs, allowing you to truly appreciate that the Yunoyama Onsen springs originate from this mountain.
The hiking trail is well-maintained, but there are significant elevation changes, so comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended. The hike takes approximately 1-2 hours.
Historical Sites Related to Warrior Monks
Within the temple grounds, there are historical sites and explanatory panels that convey the atmosphere of the time when hundreds of warrior monks gathered here. Reading the explanations about the layout of the temple buildings and the locations of the monks’ quarters reveals the grandeur of the temple, a stark contrast to the quiet grounds of today.
Annual Events and Festivals
Monk Warrior Festival
Every October, the “Monk Warrior Festival,” which preserves the history of Mitake-ji Temple, is held. The highlight of this festival is the performance of a flaming portable shrine parading through the Yunoyama Onsen hot spring town.
The Monk Warrior Festival recreates the valiant figures of the monk warriors who once gathered at Mitake-ji Temple, and is an important event that passes on the region’s history and culture to future generations. The sight of the flames of the flaming portable shrine illuminating the hot spring town at night is breathtaking, attracting many tourists.
The sight of local people dressed in monk warrior attire and parading with torches revives the atmosphere of Heian period mountain religion in the modern age.
Other Annual Events
- Paper Crane Prayer Offering (Early Spring): An event where paper cranes are offered to pray for success in love.
- Spring and Autumn Grand Festivals: A Buddhist service conducted according to Tendai sect rituals.
- New Year’s Eve Bell Ringing (New Year’s Eve): Visitors can also ring the bell.
Connection to Yunoyama Onsen
Spiritual Pillar of the Hot Spring Town
Mitakeji Temple has been closely linked to the development of Yunoyama Onsen. Since the Edo period, as the number of visitors seeking therapeutic bathing increased, Mitakeji Temple has functioned as a spiritual pillar of the hot spring town.
For people seeking healing in both mind and body—healing their bodies in the hot springs and finding peace of mind at Mitakeji Temple—this temple was an important presence. In particular, the principal image, Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha), attracted the faith of visitors seeking healing from illness.
Access from the Hot Spring Town
Mitakeji Temple is within walking distance from the main accommodations in Yunoyama Onsen. Many tourists visit this temple as part of a walking course through the hot spring town. It’s also close to the Gozaisho Ropeway station, and many combine a visit with a ropeway ride.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
Gozaisho Ropeway
Located about a 5-minute walk from Mitake-ji Temple, the Gozaisho Ropeway is a representative tourist attraction of Yunoyama Onsen. It covers a total length of approximately 2,100 meters and an elevation difference of approximately 780 meters in about 12 minutes. From the summit of Mount Gozaisho, you can enjoy spectacular views of Ise Bay, the Chita Peninsula, and on clear days, even Mount Fuji.
Yunoyama Onsen Town
With a history of over 1300 years since its opening, Yunoyama Onsen is known for its high-quality alkaline radium spring water. You can enjoy day trips for bathing or overnight stays before or after visiting Mitake-ji Temple.
Tourist Facilities in Komono Town
- Aqua Ignis: Hot spring resort complex
- Mt. Gozaisho: A mecca for mountain climbing and hiking
- Paramita Museum: Contemporary art museum
Points to Note When Visiting Mitake-ji Temple
Manners When Visiting
- The temple grounds are a sacred place. Please maintain silence and be considerate of other visitors.
- Photography is permitted, but there are areas where photography is prohibited, such as inside the main hall.
- Please offer your donation respectfully and follow proper etiquette for worship.
Clothing and Belongings
- If you are undertaking the Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage, comfortable walking shoes and clothing are essential.
- Trekking shoes are recommended as some parts of the mountain path can be slippery.
- Depending on the season, bring insect repellent, a hat, and drinking water.
Visiting Hours and Admission Fees
- You can generally visit the temple grounds freely, but please avoid visiting early in the morning or late at night.
- There is usually no special admission fee, but donations and stamp fees are separate.
- If you wish to visit as a group or request a special memorial service, please contact the temple in advance.
Cultural Assets and Academic Value of Mitake-ji Temple
Value as a Historical Document
Mitake-ji Temple is a valuable institution that conveys the history of Tendai Buddhist temples that have continued since the Heian period. In particular, it serves as an important case study for understanding the realities of warrior monk organizations in regions other than Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei, especially in the study of warrior monk culture.
As a historical site that tells the story of Oda Nobunaga’s suppression of religious forces, it also has high academic value and provides valuable materials for studying the relationship between religion and politics during the Sengoku period.
Preservation of Regional Culture
Traditional culture of the region centered around Mitake-ji Temple, such as the legend of the origami crane and the warrior monk festival, is preserved as an important cultural heritage of Komono Town. These cultural elements are not merely tourist resources, but are also important elements that form the region’s identity.
Summary: The Charm of Mitake-ji Temple
Mitake-ji Temple is an ancient Tendai sect temple with a history of over 1200 years, yet it has changed its appearance with the times and remains a temple that attracts many people even today.
Founded by Saichō, its prosperity as a base for warrior monks, its turbulent history including being burned down by Oda Nobunaga, and its rebirth as a temple of love and marriage based on the legend of the origami crane—all of this is condensed into one temple, Mitake-ji.
When you visit Yunoyama Onsen, be sure to stop by Mitake-ji and reflect on the long history this temple has witnessed. Not only will you heal your body in the hot springs, but finding peace of mind in this historic temple will make your trip even more fulfilling.
Whether you’re praying for success in love, interested in history, or seeking quiet time in nature—Mitake-ji is a place that offers something to everyone who visits. Discover your own special experience within the temple grounds, surrounded by the beauty of nature in every season.
