How to enjoy Mashiko Vol. 2 ~Visiting ancient temples and shrines that exude the spirit of the Middle Ages~

Mashiko town is famous for its Mashiko ware, and the Mashiko Pottery Market, held every spring and autumn, attracts a total of about 600,000 visitors in total. However, Mashiko town actually has many other attractive tourist spots besides Mashiko ware. In this second installment of our guide to ways to enjoy Mashiko, we will introduce ways to enjoy Mashiko other than Mashiko ware.

Written by

Mashiko Town Tourism and Commerce Division

Mashiko Town stretches gently in the southeastern part of Tochigi Prefecture, north of the Kanto Plain. This land, nurtured by the changing nature of the four seasons and gently rolling mountains, produces high-quality potter's clay, which is the raw material for pottery. When you wrap it in your palm, you can feel the warmth of the earth, and it has become known not only in Japan but also overseas as ``Mashiko ware''. Another major attraction is the enterprising character of the area, which has long been a base for the folk art movement and has welcomed potters from both Japan and abroad. You will be able to experience the depth of Mashiko every time you come into contact with its long-cultivated history, culture, and rich nature.

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Cultural Assets of Mashiko

There are many nationally designated cultural properties built in the Middle Ages, which are rare in eastern Japan.

At Saimyoji Temple, located on the middle slope of Mt. Takadate, the tower gate and three-story pagoda from the Muromachi period mark the passage of time, while Jizoin Temple and Tsuna Shrine quietly sit in the Ooba district, which was a place of prayer for the Utsunomiya clan.

Why not let your thoughts wander back to the distant history while surrounded by the scent of plants and trees?

Jizoin Temple (Nationally designated important cultural property: Main hall)

Jizoin

321-4212 945-1 Kamioba, Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture

It is said that Tomotsuna Utsunomiya, who was in charge of the Obane district, built the Amida-do Hall at Oba-dera Temple when he retired. It is estimated that it was built in the late Muromachi period, and has an elegant gabled structure with square pillars on the side and columns on the inside. The natural monument Hibari cypress and the 500-year-old linden tree on the grounds are also worth seeing. It has been designated as a national important cultural property.

Utsunomiya family graveyard (prefectural designated historic site)

Utsunomiya family grave

941 Kamioba, Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi 321-4212

Shortly after constructing Jizo-in, Tomotsuna, the third generation of the Utsunomiya family, built the tombs of the first generation Soen and second generation Munetsuna, and designated this land as the Utsunomiya family's graveyard. It has been buried here for generations up to the 33rd generation, Masatsuna. The Utsunomiya clan's long period of cemetery construction from the early Kamakura era to the Taisho era is rare in Japan.

Tsuna Shrine (Nationally designated important cultural property)

Tsuna Shrine

2350 Kamioba, Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi 321-4212

Tsuna Shrine was founded by Utsunomiya Tomotsuna in the early Kamakura period to welcome Tosa's Kamo Myojin.

Okura Shrine (Nationally designated important cultural property)

Okura Shrine

2350 Kamioba, Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi 321-4212

Okura Shrine is said to have been founded in 807 during the Heian period, and was moved from its current location on Mt. Atago in the northwest as a subsidiary shrine of Tsuna Shrine.

Saimyoji Temple (Nationally designated important cultural properties: tower gate, three-story pagoda, main hall shrine)

Saimyoji Temple

321-4217 4469 Mashiko, Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture

Built in 737 during the Nara period, it is one of the 33 Bando Kannon sacred sites. As you climb the stone steps covered with giant native Japanese chinquapin trees, you will be greeted by a heavy tower gate with a thatched roof. On the left is a three-storied pagoda and bell tower, and on the right is Enmado, popularly known as ``Laughing Enma.'' The main hall houses a valuable Zushi with an inscription dating back to the first year of Oei, as well as Buddhist statues from the Kamakura period.

Entsuji Temple (Nationally designated important cultural property: front gate, Prefecturally designated cultural property: Issaikyo Tower)

Entsuji Temple

1770 Osawa, Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi 321-4104

This temple was once home to Osawa Bunko, which was famous as one of the three major library libraries in the Kanto region, along with Kanazawa Bunko and Ashikaga Gakko. It contained valuable calligraphy and scriptures, and had 38 student dormitories. The ``Issaikyo Tower'', which conveys the atmosphere of that time, is a quaint building that was rebuilt in 1809 during the Edo period. In autumn, the autumn leaves and ginkgo trees are illuminated.

Oyake Tomb Group (Prefectural designated historic site: Tomb No. 1 to 18)

Oyake Tumulus Group

321-4101 Koyake, Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture

This is a group of ancient tombs with a great view located to the west of Kameoka Hachimangu Shrine. It consists of 6 keyhole-shaped tombs and 29 round tombs, of which tombs 1 to 18 are designated historic sites by the prefecture. It is estimated that it was built between the late 6th century and the 7th century. Local people have planted 200 cherry blossom trees and cultivated rape blossoms, and the entire hill is decorated with gorgeous colors in spring.