Known locally as the 'Other Yamadera,' Tarumizu Sanctuary is a secluded mountain retreat where the 9th-century Buddhist saint Ennin once practiced ascetic austerities. Hidden within an ancient forest, the site centers on an extraordinary weathered cliff grotto sheltering a weathered torii gate, stone stupas, and shrines to Inari-ōkami and Fudō-myō’ō. Practiced as a sacred training ground well into the early 20th century, the area still radiates a powerful, contemplative aura. A quiet trail winds beyond the grotto across rugged outcrops, offering adventurous travelers a deeply spiritual alternative to the main temple crowds.
- Buddhism
- Historic Ruins
- Nature Trails
- Shrines
- Grottoes
- Sacred Sites
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