Shinraku-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple in Miyota Town, Nagano Prefecture, located on the southern foothills of Mount Asama. Belonging to the Chizan School of Shingon Buddhism, the temple has the mountain name Asamayama and is dedicated to Fugen Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of Universal Virtue.
The history of Shinraku-ji is traditionally traced back to the Asuka period. According to temple tradition, it was founded in 586, during the reign of Emperor Yōmei, at a time when Mount Asama was experiencing major volcanic eruptions. The temple was established by imperial decree to pray for the volcano to become calm.
Over the centuries, Shinraku-ji became closely associated with Mount Asama, dragon legends, and imperial patronage. It is also said to have been visited by important historical figures including Prince Shōtoku, Minamoto no Yoritomo, and the haiku poet Matsuo Bashō.
According to tradition, Emperor Yōmei was in poor health but had developed a deep devotion to Buddhism following the advice of his eldest son, Prince Shōtoku. When Mount Asama suddenly erupted, the emperor sent an imperial envoy to establish a temple and pray for the volcano’s activity to subside.
The tradition says that these prayers helped calm the volcanic activity and protected the surrounding communities from disaster. Whether viewed as religious tradition or local history, this origin story demonstrates the deep relationship between the people of the region and the powerful natural presence of Mount Asama.
In 1560, Shinraku-ji served as a center for the study and practice of Shingon Buddhist teachings. The temple later suffered repeated disasters. Flooding during the Tenna era and a fire during the Hōei era destroyed many of its buildings.
The temple was rebuilt in 1778 and subsequently experienced a major revival as a Danrin, an institution for Buddhist education and training associated with Ninna-ji Temple in Kyoto.
One of the most important surviving structures is the three-story pagoda, built during the Edo period. Rising approximately 20.8 meters, it is designated as a Nagano Prefecture Treasure and remains one of the temple’s most impressive landmarks.
The approach to Shinraku-ji passes through a peaceful avenue of towering cedar trees. At the entrance stands the temple’s traditional thatched-roof Niō Gate, home to guardian statues that protect the sacred grounds.
Beyond the gate, stone steps lead visitors deeper into the temple precinct. Surrounded by trees and the sounds of nature, the approach has an atmosphere that makes it easy to imagine the site as it might have appeared centuries ago.
The temple’s three-story pagoda is its central architectural attraction. Built during the Edo period, the elegant wooden structure rises 20.8 meters above the grounds.
Its designation as a Nagano Prefecture Treasure reflects its historical and architectural importance. The pagoda is particularly beautiful when viewed against the surrounding greenery, creating a striking contrast between traditional Japanese architecture and the natural landscape.
A stone monument on the temple grounds commemorates a haiku attributed to Matsuo Bashō, one of Japan’s most celebrated haiku poets. The inscription reads:
“Before I can even cup it in my hands, the spring water already chills my teeth.”
The poem evokes the refreshing sensation of clear spring water. Standing beside the temple’s natural water sources, visitors can appreciate the connection between the landscape and the poetic traditions of the Edo period.
On the western side of the temple grounds stands a remarkable Child-Rearing Jizō Bodhisattva, said to rise approximately 20 meters high and to be the largest statue of its kind in Japan.
Jizō is traditionally revered as a compassionate protector of children. The statue attracts people praying for the healthy growth of children as well as those seeking comfort and offering memorial prayers for unborn or deceased children.
Near the temple gate lies Onuma Pond, a mysterious body of water fed by underground water from Mount Asama. Even during the height of summer, the area around the spring-fed pond remains remarkably cool and refreshing.
The pond is closely connected with the legend of Kōga Saburō, a legendary figure who became a dragon. This story eventually developed into the tradition of the Dragon God Festival held in the region.
According to local tradition, Kōga Saburō was deceived by his older brothers and thrown into a cave on Mount Tateshina. After wandering through an underground world, he eventually found a spring and returned to the surface.
However, he had been transformed into a dragon. The dragon descended from the spring into the river, traveled through the Saku Basin, and eventually reached Lake Suwa. According to the legend, he ultimately became one of the divine figures associated with the Suwa region.
This fascinating story has influenced local place names, customs, and religious traditions, linking the landscapes around Mount Tateshina, Saku, and Lake Suwa through a shared mythological narrative.
Shinraku-ji is also associated with several important figures in Japanese history. Prince Shōtoku is said to have visited the temple founded by his father, Emperor Yōmei, and admired the beautiful Nanahiro-seri water celery growing around the spring.
Minamoto no Yoritomo, founder of the Kamakura shogunate, is also traditionally said to have donated a magnificent main hall to the temple. Unfortunately, the building was later destroyed by fire.
During the Edo period, Shinraku-ji also produced numerous monks known for their scholarship and martial abilities, some of whom are said to have had influence on the local community and the ruling authorities.
Every year on the last Saturday of July, Shinraku-ji becomes the setting for the Ryūjin Matsuri, or Dragon God Festival. The festival is rooted in the legend of Kōga Saburō and brings local residents and visitors together to express gratitude and offer prayers to the dragon deity.
The combination of traditional beliefs, lively celebrations, and the mysterious atmosphere of the temple and Onuma Pond makes the festival a distinctive cultural experience for visitors interested in local Japanese traditions.
The nearest railway station is Miyota Station on the Shinano Railway Line. From the station, visitors can reach Shinraku-ji on foot or by taxi.
The temple is particularly rewarding to visit slowly, taking time to explore the cedar-lined approach, traditional buildings, three-story pagoda, stone monuments, and the spring-fed pond. The surrounding natural landscape also provides a quiet setting for reflection.
Shinraku-ji Temple is a place where the power of nature, Buddhist faith, and local mythology come together. Its traditional origin as a sanctuary built to pray for the calming of Mount Asama gives the temple a unique connection to the volcano that dominates the surrounding landscape.
The historic three-story pagoda, the great Child-Rearing Jizō, Bashō monument, and mysterious Onuma Pond each reveal a different aspect of the temple’s cultural heritage. Meanwhile, the legend of Kōga Saburō and the annual Dragon God Festival preserve stories that have been passed down through generations.
For travelers exploring Miyota, Karuizawa, and the southern foothills of Mount Asama, Shinraku-ji offers an opportunity to experience a quieter side of Japanese history—one where ancient prayers, Buddhist traditions, folklore, and the natural landscape remain closely connected.