#44 （45th Temple） Iwaya-ji
岩屋寺

The forty-fifth temple is Iwaya-ji (岩屋寺), a mountain temple set amid towering cliffs at around 700 metres, enshrining Fudō Myōō.

It lies about 24.2 km from the forty-sixth temple, and reaching it marks the halfway point of the pilgrimage.

This is the entrance to Iwaya-ji. At an altitude of some 700 metres, it draws many worshippers — Japanese and foreign visitors alike.

Even on the day I went the path was busy with pilgrims making the climb.

The road up to the temple is a long, steady uphill, lined here and there with souvenir shops.

The little stalls give the climb an oddly festive, encouraging feel.

Among countless Jizō statues stands a stone figure of Kōbō Daishi.

The ranks of weathered Jizō make the mountainside feel watched over and cared for.

Red and blue banners line the roadside, as if cheering the worshippers on up the slope.

Their bright colours are a welcome sight when your legs begin to tire.

This is the main hall, where Fudō Myōō is enshrined. Many pilgrims pause here to catch their breath after the long climb before chanting the sutra.

There is real relief, and gratitude, in finally standing before the hall.

Beside the main hall a ladder leads up to the “Iwaya,” a rock cave where monks have long secluded themselves to train.

Climbing up to it, you feel how this place has drawn ascetics for centuries.

From there you can see that the temple has been built right up against an enormous rock face.

Stone and architecture seem to merge into a single dramatic whole.

There were many other pilgrims chanting at the Daishi-dō as well. I prayed for the safety of my family and for peace in the world, and wondered what each of the others was praying for.

It is humbling to share such a moment with so many strangers.

At Iwaya-ji it is not only the temple but the whole road leading to it that feels deeply mysterious — you can easily see why it is so loved.

The mountain itself seems to do half the work of devotion.

Simply walking here in the mountains leaves you feeling calm and unburdened — much the same effect as meditation.

By the time I reached the top, my mind had grown wonderfully still.

NFT – Crypto Ohenro #44 Goshuin of Iwaya-ji（岩屋寺） –

This is the goshuin of the forty-fifth temple, Iwaya-ji. With it, I had reached the halfway mark of the eighty-eight temples.

Forty-four temples still remained on my journey — exactly half the road walked, half still to come.

The distance to the next temple was about 8.4 km, a steady descent from the cliffs.