Dagu Cave Bishamondō

Dagu Cave Bishamondō

Dagu Cave Bishamondō is a cave temple established in the early Heian era, located within a rock cave in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. It is said to be the largest temple of its kind in the country.

In 801 AD, General Sakanoue no Tamuramaro built Dagu Cave Bishamondō in gratitude for divine protection during his campaign to subdue the Emishi people. Modeled after Kyoto’s Kiyomizu Temple, it was constructed to enshrine 108 statues of Bishamonten (one of the Heavenly Kings in Buddhism). In 802, the affiliated Bettoji Temple (also called Dagu Seikō Temple) was established nearby. Over time, the temple suffered several major fires, especially one in 1946 which destroyed several halls and many Bishamonten statues. The current Bishamondō was rebuilt in 1961, and only 27 Bishamonten statues remain.

On the large cliff to the left of Dagu Cave Bishamondō is a 16.5-meter-tall carving of Amida Nyorai. Although only the head and shoulders remain today, the sculpture remains grand and impressive—making it a highly valuable cliff-carved Buddha statue.

Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamon Hall

Must-visit reason: Japan’s largest temple of its kind

Continent: Asia【Asia】

Country/Region: Japan[Japan]

Province/State: Iwate Prefecture [Iwate Prefecture]

City: Hiraizumi [Hiraizumi]