The temple garden was designed by the renowned landscape architect Mirei Shigemori in 1965.
The garden represents the surrounding granite peaks of the Central Alps using rock formations and raked white gravel.
A statue of the legendary dog Hayataro is enshrined here, said to have protected the temple from a baboon spirit.
The temple site has served as a center for mountain worship for over 800 years.
The moss garden contains over 70 distinct types of moss native to the Nagano mountain region.
Hoshakuzan Kozenji Temple is a Tendai sect Buddhist temple situated at the base of the Central Alps in Komagane. It is recognized for its karesansui (dry landscape) rock garden, which is considered one of the largest in Japan. The temple grounds feature a prominent collection of moss-covered statues and stone lanterns. A major architectural feature is the Hondō (main hall) which houses the principal image of Fudo Myoo. The temple is historically linked to the tragic tale of the Hayataro dog, a legendary mountain hound associated with the temple's protective deity. Its location at the foothills of Mount Kiso-Komagatake provides a distinct microclimate that supports dense moss growth. The site serves as the entrance to the Komagatake Ropeway, connecting visitors to higher alpine elevations.
The elevated viewing platform overlooking the main dry rock garden with the Central Alps visible in the background.
Walk the perimeter of the dry garden slowly to see how the rock perspectives change with your viewing angle.
Wear slip-on footwear as you may need to remove shoes to enter specific interior temple areas.
Visit the small graveyard behind the temple to see the grave of the legendary dog Hayataro.
Do not step onto the raked gravel of the dry landscape garden, as it is strictly prohibited to maintain the raking patterns.
Maintain silence, remove shoes before entering temple buildings, and refrain from photographing religious icons inside the hall.
