What to know
Natadera Temple (那谷寺), located near Awazu Onsen, is a Shingon Buddhist temple. Its expansive grounds include several buildings, a pond garden, and a distinctive rock face with hand-carved meditation caves and steps cut into the cliff.
Founded in 717 by a Buddhist monk who sought a goddess on nearby Mount Hakusan, the temple enshrines a wooden statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. This statue, along with Mount Hakusan, remains the main object of worship.
The spacious grounds take at least half an hour to explore. Visitors first encounter the recently rebuilt Kondo Hall, housing a large Kannon statue, with a treasure house next door. Further back lies the rocky cliffside with a pond garden at its base. Currently, climbing the cliff is not allowed due to safety and preservation.
At the far end stands the main shrine, built partly into a large cave, storing the temple's principal wooden Kannon statue. A three-storied pagoda and observation deck overlook the grounds from the opposite hillside. A bell tower and auxiliary buildings line the wooded paths back to the entrance.
Natadera is served by the Can Bus Yamamawari Route every two hours (50 minutes from Kaga Onsen Station). Alternatively, take a regular bus from Komatsu Station (35 minutes, 540 yen one way, every 1-2 hours), which also stops at Awazu Station and Awazu Onsen.
How to get to and around Kaga Onsen
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 9:15 to 16:00
- Closed
- No closing days
- Admission
- 1000 yen (~$6.4)
- English name
- Natadera
- Original name
- Natadera Temple
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.