明静院

Myojoin sits at the base of Mount Iwadono and shows traditional Japanese architecture with wooden structures and curved roofs built across different periods. The grounds spread across multiple levels with gardens and subsidiary buildings, and it houses a wooden Dainichi Nyorai statue recognized as the first National Treasure of Niigata Prefecture.

The temple received strong support from Uesugi Kenshin during the Sengoku period, an influential warlord who designated it as one of his burial sites in 1578. This connection to a powerful family shaped its development and importance across generations.

The name reflects Buddhist concepts of clarity and stillness that shape how the temple grounds are organized and experienced by those who visit. Walking through the space, you can sense how these principles influence the placement of buildings and the overall feeling of the area.

The grounds are easy to explore on foot, with marked paths connecting the different buildings and gardens throughout the site. It is best to wear comfortable shoes and allow time for walking over uneven terrain, especially on the stairs leading to higher structures.

The grounds include a shrine dedicated to the deity Takeminakata, who according to local legend was born in a cave at this very location. This mythological story adds another layer of religious significance to the site that extends beyond Buddhism.