[Fukushima] Caves, waterfalls, and of course, divine blessings! Let's visit the wonder world of Nakano Fudoson!

Nakano Fudoson is affectionately known locally as "Nakano's Fudo-sama."
It is crowded with many people for New Year's visits, New Year's festivals, and fireworks displays, but for some reason it is not well known by people outside the prefecture.
Let us introduce the charms of Nakano Fudoson, which has a lot to offer.

First, access the audio guide at the entrance and follow the route!

There is a QR code sign at the entrance to Nakano Fudoson. Once you access it, you can enjoy audio guides for each spot

The first spot is Togenuki Jizo. If you have a sore back, you pray by scrubbing the Jizo's lower back with a scrubbing brush. Huh, your head? Yes. Scrub it.
Quench your thirst with the sacred waters of Kotoshimizu and Iwakura no Shimizu, which are spring waters rich in minerals, before continuing on the worship route.

The prayer hall, made entirely of zelkova, also features sculptures of "strong men" and "dragons" on the front.
The best spot for taking photos is the Dainichi Hall, a three-story building in the inner sanctuary, which is a gorgeous vermilion color.
It looks beautiful against the fresh greenery, but it is also said to be very beautiful in the snow.

Even today, people still perform rituals at Fudo Falls, where the sound of the water is refreshing.
The area around the falls is called the inner sanctuary, and the origin of Nakano Fudoson dates back to 1179, when Donin Keimei was led to this place by a chamois carrying the statue of Bonten in its mouth.

We are finally entering the cave! Watch your head!

The Kenreimon Gate on the lower level of Dainichi Hall is the highlight of Nakano Fudoson. It is also the entrance to the cave tour

Thirty-six children, attendants of Acala, are enshrined here and there on the walls of the cave. Each one has a different form

The tour of the cave takes 5 to 10 minutes. The cave is relatively cool in the summer and warm in the winter, but please be careful as the path is narrow and the ceiling is not high

After the visit, relax with herbal tea and famous sweets

Once you leave the cave, you will see Tanishi Pond, where skunk cabbage blooms, and a huge pot called Ando Kama, where medicinal herbs were boiled at the behest of Acala during epidemics. Another highlight is the main hall, where the statue of Acala, the god of warding off evil, which was the personal Buddha of Emperor Gofukakusa, is enshrined.
This is the ceiling at the main entrance of the main hall.

After your visit, head to Kamoshika-an, a teahouse run directly by Nakano Fudoson.
Here you can enjoy light meals such as warding off evil spirits dumplings and lucky soba noodles, but it is also a free rest area where you can drink the original Tokicha tea for free. Tokicha is a blend of Japanese angelica, epimedium, geranium herb, and Houttuynia cordata, making it a truly Japanese-style herbal tea.

You can also try some of Nakano Fudoson's famous sweets, "Doujimame." This is a sweet that can only be purchased here, so it makes a great souvenir

After the cherry blossoms and skunk cabbage have finished blooming, you can enjoy the changing seasons with fresh greenery, rhododendrons, and autumn leaves. Nakano Fudoson also hosts various events, such as the "Summer Tea Ceremony" held in mid-July. It's
also close to Iizaka Onsen, so be sure to visit.

INFORMATION

Hazukii

A writer specializing in food and travel. I love Tohoku, and I often go to Fukushima. I once committed the outrageous act of driving my own car back and forth between Kyoto and Fukushima.