Constructed in a rocky mountain with a jasper stratum, this temple was named Iwayaji Temple by monk, Taicho Hoshi. Jasper and agate steppingstones are arranged in the temple garden. In the ancient days, agate collected around this area was transacted as gifts for trading with foreign countries.
The eight Chugu temples of Mt. Hakusan worship and the innermost sanctuary of Natadera Temple, Naden Kannon, were also constructed in the mountains of tuff. This fact also shows that this white rocky mountain has been the object of worship.
National Important Cultural Property
Monuments
Natadera Temple (including the main building and five other buildings)
Natadera Temple, often called Iwayaji Temple, is one of the ancient temples of the three temples of Mt. Hakusan described in the ancient document entitled, Hakusan-no Ki. Although it fell into ruin due to fires of the Ikko ikki sect riot, this temple was reconstructed by the third head of the Maeda Clan, Toshitsune, in the Kaga Domain in the early Edo Period. Natadera Temple was equipped with a stone roof made of local tuff stone. The same roof structure was also introduced to a traditional Japanese inn, Hoshi, in the Awazu Onsen hot spring.
National Scenic Beauty
Historic Site
Natadera Temple Garden
The Natadera Temple's garden, in the early Edo style, was reconstructed at the time of the reconstruction of Natadera Temple. The remains consist of the main garden including the garden pond, the flat garden on the north side of the Shoin room, and the tea garden of the tea ceremony room, Nyoze An. Various locally-produced gems, such as jasper, agate, crystal, and opal, are used for garden stones and steppingstones arranged in the garden.
Monuments
Jukudo Remains with Tombstones
These remains overlap with the ruins of the ancient temples of the ancient Hakuho Period through the Heian Period with a group of tombs from the medieval periods. These remains are within the burial grounds, so that the tombstones were moved. But you can still observe a number of tombstones that were constructed in the medieval periods, such as the five-storied pagoda and the Hokyointo pagoda. These pagodas and tombstones were made of local stone.
Important Cultural Property Designated by Komatsu City
Monuments
Tomb of Hotoke Gozen
This tomb, made of stone from the medieval periods, is believed to be the tomb of a female dancer, Hotoke Gozen, who appeared in the Tale of the Heike. This tomb is located in the ruin of the Hotoke Gozen's residence in Haramachi, Komatsu City. It is the oldest object made of locally-produced stone material.
Important Cultural Property Designated by Komatsu City
Monuments
Takigahara's Multiple-storied Stone Pagoda
This large stone pagoda is 225 cm high, being estimated that it was constructed in the 14th Century. It has five stories, while the top has been lost. This pagoda is the oldest object made of local Takigahara stone and is located in the precinct of Takigahara Shimomura Hachiman Shrine.
Historic Site
Takigahara Shimomura Hachiman Shrine Remains
On the left side of the shrine ruin, two stone caves are left opened and exposed. One cave has tombstones with Sanskrit characters inscribed on their back sides made of Takigahara stone, and it is estimated that they were made in the 13th to the 14th Century.
Historic Site
Kanagaso Hakusan Shrine Precinct Remains
On the left side of the shrine ruin, one stone cave is left opened and exposed in which tombstones are scattered. The stone material used is believed to be Kanagaso stone from the medieval periods.
