From one of the several car parks near the river, a path leads steeply up through mossy woods. Birds sing. After some tourist shops, there are stone pillars topped with statuettes of Niō guardians. Beyond a turn in the path is the four-legged main gate. At another turn is a statue of Fudō Myōō and Kūkai. Those who can’t climb any more worship here. If you go further up, you encounter countless stone Buddha statues in serried rows from the area across the red bridge. Even further on, you can finally see the precincts if you look up. The home of the priest is built against a cliff that rises straight up into the sky. The cliff looks like mud with rocks stuck in it, and it’s pitted with holes.

When you reach this stage, on the left is a Jizō for the spirits of aborted children, a belfry, and toilets. Beyond these is the Henjōkaku, a new building used for various activities such as meditation. To the right is the water basin, priest’s quarters, and the temple office. A monument in front of the temple office is inscribed with a haiku by Masaoka Shiki;

summer mountains
temple number 45
is Iwaya-ji

A little further up is the main hall, and to the left is the Daishi Hall.  The main hall is smaller than the Daishi Hall because the entire mountain is considered to be the principal image. In the main hall is a sitting statue of Fudō Myōō flanked by guardians. A ladder on the right of the main hall goes up to the cave where the hermit Hokke practiced. You can climb the ladder to admire the view of the entire temple complex and the valley below. But remember, what goes up must come down, and the descent calls for more courage than the climb. Higher up and to the right is the Amida Cave. Inside is a bronze statue of flying Amida Nyorai holding a drum.

Below the main hall is the Anazenjō cave extending 20 m into the rock, with statues of Fudō, Jizō, and Kūkai. Water springs from under the Jizō.

After passing the Daishi Hall and going through the Niō Gate, you enter the mountain. It leads to the inner sanctuary, which is a cleft in the rock. The Niō gate was completed in 1790. This was the original entrance to the precincts via the Henro path over the mountain.