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

Nakano Fudōson, affectionately known locally as "Nakano's Fudō-sama,"
is bustling with people during New Year's visits, year-end festivals, and fireworks displays, yet for some reason, it's not very well known to people from outside the prefecture.
Let's introduce the many attractions of Nakano Fudōson.

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 stop is "Togenuki Jizo." If you have a sore back, you pray by rubbing the Jizo's back with a scrubbing brush. What about the head? Yes, rub that too.
Quench your thirst with the mineral-rich spring water of "Koto Shimizu" and "Iwakutsu no Shimizu" and continue along the pilgrimage route.

In the prayer hall, which is entirely constructed of zelkova wood, the carvings of a strongman and a dragon on the front are a must-see.
The best photo spot, however, is the Dainichido, a three-story building in the inner sanctuary with a vibrant vermilion color.
It looks beautiful against the fresh greenery, but it is also said to be very beautiful in a snowy landscape.

Water asceticism is still performed at Fudo Falls, where the sound of the water is refreshing.
The area around Fudo Falls is called Okunoin, and the origin of Nakano Fudo-son dates back to 1179 when Eimei Dojin was guided to this place by a serow carrying Brahma 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

Upon exiting the cave, you'll find Tanishigaike Pond, where skunk cabbage blooms, and the enormous Ando-gama cauldron, where medicinal herbs were supposedly brewed according to a divine message from Fudo Myoo during an epidemic. The main hall, which enshrines the Yakuyoke Fudo Myoo (Exorcist Fudo Myoo) that was said to be the personal Buddha of Emperor Gofukakusa, is also a must-see.
This is the ceiling of the main entrance to the main hall.

After visiting the temple, head to "Kamoshika-an," a tea house directly managed by Nakano Fudo-son.
Here you can enjoy light meals such as amulet dumplings and lucky soba noodles, and it also serves as a free rest area where you can freely drink their original Touki-cha tea. Touki-cha is a blend of Japanese angelica, epimedium, geranium, and houttuynia cordata, making it a truly Japanese 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 fresh greenery, rhododendrons, and autumn leaves, and various events are held throughout the seasons, including a "Summer Tea Ceremony" in mid-July. It's
also close to Iizaka Onsen, so please do visit!

INFORMATION

Hazuki

A writer specializing in food and travel. He loves the Tohoku region, and often visits Fukushima in particular. He even once drove his own car from Kyoto to Fukushima and back