At a Glance
Built in 1598 by warlord Sanada Nobuyuki to pray for military success, this wooden hall is Gunma's oldest building and one of the rarest surviving structures from that era in the Kanto region.
Visitors leave wooden rice paddles (shamoji) as offerings, each one carrying a double meaning: rescue from hardship and protection from hunger.
This temple offers 1 different goshuin designs
Same as opening hours
Regular
Bring an offering of a shamoji (wooden rice paddle) if you wish to participate in a local tradition. These paddles are left at the hall to symbolize being saved from hardship and ensuring one never lacks food, making it a meaningful way to engage with the temple's spiritual practice.
The ceiling features a dragon with multiple small feet, reportedly inspired by a centipede (mukade), which was favored by samurai as a symbol of forward momentum and unwavering resolve.
Visit during autumn to see the surrounding foliage at its peak, as the area around Shima experiences vibrant fall colors. The temple's location near Yoshigahira Wetland and Nonaiko Lake means the landscape transforms seasonally, so timing your visit for late September through October enhances the visual experience.
The divine spirits venerated at this sacred place
Not confirmed
What this place is believed to grant
More ways to continue from this place.
Nakanojo, Gunma Prefecture
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