Nageiredo

NageiredoMt. MitokuNational Treasureshugendocliff temple

Tottori · Misasa

35.4053°N, 133.9648°E

Nageiredo is a small hall wedged into a cliff hollow on Mt. Mitoku, held up on stilts of unequal length, and it is a National Treasure. Nobody knows how it was built. The name means thrown-in hall, from the tradition that En no Gyoja, the founder of Japanese mountain asceticism, made it at the foot of the mountain and hurled it into place with his powers. Every serious proposal for how it was actually done remains a proposal.

You cannot see it without climbing to it, and the climb is why it is often called the most dangerous National Treasure in Japan. The route from the main hall is a scramble on tree roots, chains and bare rock taking about an hour and forty minutes round trip. Footwear and clothing are inspected at the gate, you are not permitted to go alone, and the mountain closes in rain or snow. Straw sandals are sold at the entrance for anyone whose shoes fail the check.

Essential Information

Opening Hours

Ascent reception 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Descent required by 4:30 PM

Closed: Closed in rain, snow and bad weather | Winter closure applies — confirm before travelling

Entrance Fee

¥800 adults, ¥400 elementary and junior high school students for the ascent, plus separate main hall admission

Best Season

Late April–June and September–November | Avoid wet weather entirely

Visit Duration

2–3 hours including the ascent

Getting There

Access Information

1010 Mitoku, Misasa, Tohaku District. Car recommended; about 25 minutes from Misasa Onsen. Entry to the ascent costs ¥800 for adults and ¥400 for elementary and junior high school students, on top of the separate main hall admission. Reception 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM with descent required by 4:30 PM. Footwear and clothing are checked at the gate and you may not climb alone — a minimum of two people is required. The mountain closes in rain, snow and other bad weather.

Insider Guide

Premium

**Two people minimum, and shoes are inspected.** Solo climbers are turned away, and so is anyone in unsuitable footwear. Straw sandals are sold at the gate as the traditional remedy and they work better on wet rock than most modern soles. **Reception closes at three.** With a required descent by half past four. Arriving at two is cutting it fine for a one-hour-forty round trip. **Rain closes it outright.** The route is roots, chains and bare rock and the temple shuts the mountain rather than risk it. Have a fallback — Misasa Onsen is twenty-five minutes away. **Nothing in your hands.** You need both for the chains and roots. Anything you carry must be on your back. **You can see it from the road.** A viewing telescope on the prefectural road below shows the hall from a distance, for anyone who cannot or should not make the climb.

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