The 10th temple of the Bando Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage in Higashimatsuyama City, known as Iwadono Kannon. Founded by Gyoki in 731, this venerable Shingon temple has a history of over 1,000 years. The precinct embraced by the sheer rock face of Mt. Iwadono commands spectacular views of the Kanto Plain. A nationally designated Important Cultural Property triple-pagoda remains on the grounds.

The origins of Shoboji Temple date to the Nara period, when the Buddhist monk Gyoki is said to have established a hall on Mt. Iwadono in either 718 (Yoro 2) or 731 (Tenpyo 3). The temple is believed to have initially been affiliated with the Hosso school before converting to the Shingon sect, therea…