Natadera Temple
那谷寺
An ancient temple founded in 717, with its main hall built into the white tuff cliffs of the Wonderland of Strange Rocks. Its autumn foliage makes it a famous sight in the Hokuriku region.
Natadera Temple lies in Komatsu City. It is traditionally said to have been founded in 717 by the monk Taichō, and later renamed by the retired emperor Kazan. Its most striking feature is the Wonderland of Strange Rocks, where weathered white tuff cliffs are riddled with caves, and a small Kannon hall is built on the rock. The main hall is set into a rock cave, and together with the three-story pagoda and the study hall, all are nationally designated Important Cultural Properties. Matsuo Bashō once wrote here: 'Whiter than the stones of this rocky mountain, the autumn wind.' Admission is about 600 yen. Autumn foliage season is crowded, so it's best to arrive in the morning. From JR Kaga-Onsen or Komatsu Station, take the CAN bus or a route bus, about 30 to 40 minutes. It can be visited together with Awazu and Yamashiro Onsen.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:15–16:00
Nearby sights
- Yunokuni no Mori Traditional Crafts Village
- Motorcar Museum of Japan
- Awazu Onsen
- Kutani Kiln Site Exhibition Hall
- Katayamazu Onsen & Lake Shibayama
- Yamashiro Onsen
- Nakaya Ukichiro Museum of Snow and Ice
- Yamanaka Onsen & Kakusenkei Gorge