The Ancient Origins of Hasedera
Traditions Dating Back to the Asuka Period
The exact date when Hasedera was founded is unknown, but temple tradition places its origins in the Asuka period, during the reign of Emperor Jomei, traditionally dated to 629–641.
According to legend, a man named Shirasuke, who was said to have been exiled to this region, received a sacred dream from Amida Buddha at Zenkoji. Following the dream, he is said to have invited an image of the Eleven-Headed Kannon Bodhisattva from Mount Hatsuse in Nara and enshrined it here, establishing the origins of the temple.
The Connection with Hasedera in Nara
Hasedera in Sakurai, Nara Prefecture, known as Yamato Hasedera, is traditionally said to have been founded in 686 by the monk Dōmyō of Kawaradera. In 727, the monk Tokudo is said to have enshrined the Eleven-Headed Kannon image that remains central to the temple’s worship today.
The Kannon tradition at Shinano Hasedera is thought to have been influenced by Yamato Hasedera. However, much of this connection comes from temple traditions and legends rather than independently established historical evidence.
History from the Medieval Period to the Early Modern Era
Evidence of Buddhist Practice in the 12th Century
In 1151, during the late Heian period, a bronze sutra container was discovered on the hill behind the temple. The container indicates that Buddhist scriptures, including the Lotus Sutra and the Pure Land Sutra, had been buried there as part of a religious practice intended to preserve the teachings for the future.
Connections with the Kamakura Period
During the Kamakura period, Kakumyo, a military strategist associated with Minamoto no Yoshinaka who later became a disciple of the famous Pure Land teacher Honen, is recorded as having founded Korakuji Temple in the area.
In 1290, Hasedera is said to have been restored after Regent Hojo Sadatoki received a dream revelation associated with Prince Hisaaki, the eighth shogun of the Kamakura shogunate.
Protection during the Edo Period
Under the protection of the Tokugawa shogunate, the temple received a land stipend of 15 koku in the early Edo period. Important buildings were gradually added or rebuilt over the following centuries.
A Koyasu-do hall was constructed in 1701, followed by the Kannon-do in 1713 and the Nio-mon Gate in 1776. These buildings helped establish the temple complex that visitors can explore today.
The temple also suffered repeated natural disasters. During the devastating Zenkoji Earthquake of 1847, several parts of the temple complex were seriously damaged.
Preservation in the Modern Era
From the Showa period through the Heisei period, restoration and rebuilding projects were carried out throughout the temple grounds. The Main Hall, Kannon Hall, priests’ quarters, and other buildings were repaired, while a new sutra-copying and reception facility was established.
Archaeological and cultural-property investigations have also continued, helping reveal more about the temple’s long history and preserving its religious heritage for future generations.
Exploring the Temple Grounds
Historic Buildings and Buddhist Monuments
Hasedera’s grounds contain a number of traditional buildings, Buddhist monuments, and stone statues. Together, they create a peaceful temple landscape where visitors can experience the atmosphere of an old Shinano religious site.
Major features include the Main Hall, Kannon Hall, Ten Kings Hall, Memorial Tablet Hall, Koyasu Jizo Hall, Nio-mon Gate, Bell Tower Gate, Founder’s Hall, Fudo Hall, Thirty-Three Kannon stone statues, sutra office and priests’ quarters.
The grounds also include the grave of Shirasuke, the legendary founder associated with the temple’s origins.
Hase Shrine
An important feature of the site is Hase Shrine, located within the temple grounds. Its upper shrine is an ancient Shinto sanctuary recorded in the Engishiki, a 10th-century compilation of laws and records concerning shrines throughout Japan.
The shrine and temple have together served as important centers of local religious devotion, reflecting the complex history of Buddhist and Shinto traditions in Japan.
Cultural Properties
Wooden Standing Jizo Bodhisattva
Among Hasedera’s Buddhist treasures is a wooden standing statue of Jizo Bodhisattva. It was designated a Nagano Prefectural Treasure and tangible cultural property on March 16, 2017, and is carefully preserved as an important example of the region’s religious heritage.
Annual Festivals and Religious Events
A Living Center of Local Faith
Hasedera continues to serve as an active place of worship. Buddhist ceremonies and traditional local events are held throughout the year, attracting worshippers and visitors from the surrounding area.
January 1–5: New Year prayers and the Great Goma Fire Ceremony.
January 7: Nanakusa seasonal blessing and distribution of sacred seals.
January 18: First Kannon Festival and prayers for protection from misfortune.
March 15: Nirvana Ceremony and illustrated Buddhist sermon.
March 21: Spring Equinox Memorial Service and Shōmiei Ceremony.
April 18: Spring Grand Festival and reading of the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutras.
August 9: Rainmaking Festival and Thirty-Three Lantern Ceremony.
August 10: Great Segaki Ceremony for the spirits of the deceased.
September 23: Autumn Equinox Memorial Service.
December 12: Hoonko memorial service honoring the founder of the Jodo Shinshu tradition.
December 18: Final Kannon observance of the year.
December 31: New Year’s Eve Buddhist service and overnight New Year pilgrimage.
The 18th of every month is observed as a festival day for the Eleven-Headed Kannon. On the second Sunday of each month, a sutra-copying gathering is also held for local residents and anyone interested in Buddhist practice.
Pilgrimage and Cultural Activities
Hasedera is also involved in pilgrimage and Buddhist cultural activities. The Shinano Pilgrimage Association regularly organizes pilgrimages to Kannon sacred sites in western Japan, the Bando and Chichibu regions, and Shinano, as well as journeys to the 88 sacred sites of Shikoku.
The temple also hosts oekaki, or illustrated Buddhist storytelling sessions, in which a speaker explains scenes from traditional Buddhist paintings such as the Painting of the Buddha’s Nirvana. These talks are open to people regardless of Buddhist denomination and offer an accessible introduction to Buddhist teachings and art.
Access
A Peaceful Walk from Inariyama Station
Hasedera is located at 878 Shionozaki, Shinonoi, Nagano City. The nearest station is Inariyama Station on the JR Shinonoi Line, approximately 10 minutes on foot from the temple.
The walk from the station passes through a peaceful rural landscape, with views of rice fields and surrounding mountains. For travelers arriving by train, the approach itself provides a pleasant introduction to the quieter side of Nagano.
A Historic Sanctuary of Faith in Shinano
Shinano Hasedera is a place where centuries of Buddhist devotion, local traditions, historic architecture, and the surrounding natural landscape come together.
Its origins are wrapped in ancient traditions and legends, while the surviving buildings, cultural treasures, festivals, and pilgrimage activities demonstrate that the temple remains a living place of worship rather than simply a historical monument.
Whether you are interested in Japanese Buddhism, traditional architecture, pilgrimage culture, or peaceful countryside walks, Hasedera offers a chance to experience a quieter and deeply rooted side of Nagano.