The History of Kasamori-ji Temple
Origins Dating Back to 784
The origins of Kasamori-ji are traditionally traced to 784, during the Enryaku era. According to temple tradition, the Buddhist monk Saichō, also known as Dengyō Daishi, carved an image of the Eleven-Headed Kannon from a sacred camphor tree and enshrined it at the site.
Over the centuries, the temple became an important place of worship for pilgrims and came to be widely known as Kasamori Kannon.
The Mantra of the Principal Kannon
The mantra associated with the Eleven-Headed Kannon enshrined at Kasamori-ji is “On Rokeijinbara Kiriku Sowaka.” In Buddhist practice, reciting a Kannon mantra is traditionally regarded as a way of seeking the protection and blessings of the Bodhisattva.
A Traditional Pilgrimage Poem
Kasamori-ji is also associated with a traditional go-eika, or pilgrimage poem:
“Hi wa kururu ame wa furu no no michisugara kakaru tabiji o tanomu Kasamori.”
The poem expresses the faith placed in Kasamori as a source of support and spiritual protection for travelers making their way along the pilgrimage route.
The Unique Kannon Hall: Four-Sided Kake-zukuri Construction
A Rare Architectural Structure
The most distinctive feature of Kasamori-ji is its Kannon Hall, which is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The building uses a remarkable construction technique known as Shihō Kake-zukuri, or four-sided kake-zukuri.
This unusual structure is supported by 61 wooden pillars built around a massive rock. It is regarded as the only surviving example in Japan of this particular four-sided form of kake-zukuri architecture.
The hall is traditionally said to have been established in 1028 at the imperial request of Emperor Go-Ichijō. The present building, however, was reconstructed sometime between 1579 and 1597, during the Azuchi-Momoyama period.
Climb 75 Steps to the Hall
Visitors reach the Kannon Hall by climbing approximately 75 steps. At the top, a wooden corridor surrounds the elevated building and provides impressive views over the surrounding Boso hills.
The scenery changes throughout the year. Cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage add seasonal color to the landscape, while the surrounding forest creates a peaceful atmosphere throughout the year.
The unusual sight of a traditional wooden temple hall rising above the rocks and forest is one of the defining images of Kasamori-ji.
Cultural Properties of Kasamori-ji
Important Cultural Properties
Kasamori-ji preserves several historically important cultural properties, including the Kannon Hall and two valuable bronze hanging lanterns.
Kannon Hall: The existing hall dates from the Azuchi-Momoyama period. It has a five-bay frontage and four-bay depth, with a hipped roof. A major dismantling and restoration project was carried out between 1958 and 1960, restoring the building to its historic appearance.
Cast-bronze Kara-kusa Hanging Lanterns: Two bronze hanging lanterns decorated with a traditional karakusa vine motif date from the Muromachi period. They were designated Important Cultural Properties in 1959.
Kasamori-ji Natural Forest
A National Natural Monument
The forest surrounding the temple is known as the Kasamori-ji Natural Forest and was designated a National Natural Monument in 1970.
The forest has been protected as a restricted woodland since the temple was founded during the Enryaku era. As a result, it preserves a valuable warm-temperate forest ecosystem that has survived in the Kanto region.
A Rich Forest Ecosystem
The upper layer of the forest is dominated by Castanopsis sieboldii, with evergreen oaks such as Quercus myrsinifolia and Quercus acuta also growing among the trees.
The lower layers include species such as sakai and hisakaki, while numerous ferns can also be found throughout the forest, including Pteris nipponica and Coniogramme intermedia.
The protected woodland provides habitat for animals including Japanese weasels, Japanese badgers, and Japanese squirrels. Birds such as owls, scops owls, and Japanese green woodpeckers can also be found in the area.
The forest is additionally known for the Hime-haruzemi cicada, a species associated with well-preserved woodland environments. The diversity of plants and wildlife makes the natural surroundings an important part of the temple experience.
A Destination on the Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage
Kasamori-ji is the 31st temple on the Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. This historic pilgrimage route connects 33 temples dedicated to Kannon across the Kanto region.
For visitors following the pilgrimage, the neighboring temples include:
No. 30: Kōzō-ji Temple
No. 31: Kasamori-ji Temple
No. 32: Kiyomizu-dera Temple
The temple therefore attracts not only tourists interested in architecture and nature but also pilgrims traveling between the temples of the Bando pilgrimage route.
Access to Kasamori-ji Temple
By Train and Bus
From Mobara Station on the JR Sotobo Line, take a Kominato Railway bus to the Kasamori bus stop. The temple is approximately a five-minute walk from the bus stop.
Another option is to travel from Kazusa-Ushiku Station on the Kominato Railway and take a Kominato Railway bus to the Kasamori bus stop, followed by a walk of approximately five minutes.
By Car
By car, Kasamori-ji is approximately 7 minutes, or about 5 kilometers, from the Mobarachonan Interchange on the Ken-O Expressway, also known as the Metropolitan Inter-City Expressway.
Admission and Visiting Hours
Admission: 300 yen for adults and 100 yen for children.
Visiting hours from April to September: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Visiting hours from October to March: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Kannon Hall may be closed during rainy weather. Visitors planning a trip should therefore take weather conditions into consideration.
What Makes Kasamori-ji Special?
Architecture Rising from the Rocks
The combination of the massive rock, 61 supporting pillars, and elevated wooden hall creates an architectural scene unlike most temples in Japan. Climbing the 75 steps to the hall and walking along its elevated corridor is an essential part of the visit.
History Surrounded by Forest
The temple’s cultural treasures are complemented by the Kasamori-ji Natural Forest. The protected woodland creates a quiet setting where visitors can appreciate both the temple’s history and the natural environment of the Boso region.
A Living Pilgrimage Site
As the 31st temple of the Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, Kasamori-ji remains an important destination for Buddhist pilgrims. At the same time, its unusual architecture and beautiful natural surroundings make it accessible and interesting to travelers who are visiting simply to discover Japanese culture.
Discover Kasamori-ji in Chiba
Kasamori-ji Temple brings together centuries of Buddhist history, remarkable traditional architecture, and a protected natural forest. Its elevated Kannon Hall, constructed using the rare Shihō Kake-zukuri technique, is the temple’s most striking feature and a valuable example of Japanese religious architecture.
Beyond the architecture, visitors can explore the temple’s Important Cultural Properties, enjoy seasonal scenery from the elevated corridor, and experience the peaceful atmosphere of the Kasamori-ji Natural Forest.
For international travelers interested in Japanese temples, Buddhist pilgrimage routes, traditional architecture, and nature, Kasamori-ji offers a memorable destination away from the major urban centers. A visit provides an opportunity to experience a quieter and deeply historic side of Chiba.