Ichibata Yakushi: Temple of Healing and History

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Discover Ichibata Yakushi, the 'Eye-Healing Yakushi' temple in Izumo, offering spiritual solace, scenic views, and a rich cultural experience.

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Ichibata Yakushi

Ichibata Yakushi, a Buddhist temple in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, has been revered for over 1,100 years. Perched atop Mount Ichibata, it offers panoramic views and is known as the "Eye-Healing Yakushi", drawing visitors seeking blessings for eye health and overall well-being.

A brief summary to Ichibata Yakushi

803 Kozakaicho, Izumo, Kozakaicho, Shimane, 691-0074, JP
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Monday 8:30 am-5 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am-5 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am-5 pm
Thursday 8:30 am-5 pm
Friday 8:30 am-5 pm
Saturday 8:30 am-5 pm
Sunday 8:30 am-5 pm

Local tips

Visit during mid-November to early December for the best autumn foliage views.
Try the Ochato (sacred tea) made from local bancha and spring water.
Participate in a Zazen meditation session for a unique cultural experience.
Collect Goshuin stamps as a mark of your visit and participation in the pilgrimage.
Consider staying at Mount Ichibata Cottage for a peaceful retreat.

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Getting There

Public Transport

From Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station or Dentetsu Izumoshi Station, take the Ichibata Electric Railway to Ichibataguchi Station. Note that JR Rail Passes are not accepted on these trains; local sightseeing passes like the En-Musubi Perfect Ticket are accepted. From Ichibataguchi Station, transfer to the Ichibata Yakushisen Bus for approximately 11 minutes to the Ichibata-yakushi stop. From there, it's a 6-minute (400m) walk to the temple entrance. Train fare from Matsue-Shinjiko-Onsen Station to Ichibataguchi Station is approximately ¥560. Bus fare is approximately ¥300. Alternatively, from Ichibataguchi Station, a taxi to the temple takes about 15 minutes. Taxi fare is approximately ¥2,000-¥2,500.
Car

Ichibata Yakushi is approximately a 35-40 minute drive from both Matsue and Izumo. Rental cars are available near the JR stations in Matsue and Izumo. From either city, follow the signs for Ichibata Yakushi. On-site parking is available at the temple. Parking is free. Note that the main parking lot is a 10-minute walk from the mountain path, but dedicated parking is available closer to the main hall for wheelchair users and those staying at Ichibatayama Cottage.
Walking

For a more adventurous approach, you can walk from Ichibataguchi to Ichibata Yakushi via the Ichibata Yakushi Kosando, a traditional path with 1,300 stairs. The walk takes approximately one hour, and caution is advised as part of the route follows a road. This route is not recommended for those with mobility issues.

Discover more about Ichibata Yakushi

Ichibata Yakushi, formally known as Ichibataji, is a significant Buddhist temple located on Mount Ichibata in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture. Founded in 894 AD, the temple's origin is rooted in the story of a fisherman named Yoichi who discovered a statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the Medicine Buddha, in the sea. After enshrining the statue, his blind mother's eyesight was miraculously restored, establishing Ichibata Yakushi as a sacred place for eye health.Perched 200 meters (approximately 656 feet) atop Mount Ichibata, the temple offers stunning panoramic views of Lake Shinji and the surrounding Chugoku Mountain Range. The temple's location and history have made it a popular pilgrimage site, drawing approximately 700,000 worshippers annually. Ichibata Yakushi is part of the Chugoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, the Shimane Peninsula's Forty-Two Bay Pilgrimage, and the Izumo Shinbutsu Pilgrimage.Ichibata Yakushi is not only known for its association with eye health but also as a protector of children's well-being and growth. The temple holds various events throughout the year, including Zazen meditation sessions, tea ceremonies, and monthly festivals. Visitors can explore the main hall (Hondo), rebuilt in 1890, which enshrines Yakushi Nyorai, and the Hall of 84,000 Buddhas, which houses statues donated by pilgrims.Visitors can also sample Koreicha, a tea brewed with local well water and tea leaves, believed to have special properties. Goshuin stamps are available at the temple office, and those participating in the Izumo-kuni Shinbutsu Pilgrimage can receive a special seal in the designated stamp book. For those seeking a tranquil retreat, Mount Ichibata Cottage offers accommodations with views of Mount Daisen and Lake Shinji.