Isehara: Oyama, Pilgrimage Trails and Culture

At 1,252 m, Mount Oyama is a landmark of Isehara and lies within part of the Tanzawa-Oyama Quasi-National Park. The mountain combines a striking landscape with a rich pilgrimage and temple culture. From the Lower Shrine of Ōyama Afuri Shrine, at an elevation of 696 m, you can see as far as Sagami Bay. From there, a mountain trail winds through pristine beech and fir forests to the summit; it can be hiked in any season. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider whether you want to focus mainly on nature, pilgrimage history, or both.

Mountain Trail and Pilgrimage Culture

The Oyama pilgrimage is registered as a Japan Heritage site for its cultural value. Oyama-dera is part of this tradition: it is considered one of the three great Fudō temples in the Kantō region and is also the first temple on the region’s pilgrimage route to its 36 Fudō temples. This distinction makes the temple a destination in its own right for travelers interested in religious culture and pilgrimage routes.

The pilgrimage is also linked to a craft tradition. The Oyama Koma is regarded as a representative souvenir of the Oyama pilgrimage. Woodworkers known as kiji-shi have been making it since the Edo period, and the technique is still passed down today. Alongside the temples, the koma represents another, craft-based side of Isehara.

Another example of cultural heritage is the main hall of Hinata Yakushi, also known as Hōjōbō. It has a hipped roof with a thatched covering, is 7 ken long, 5 ken wide and 17.7 m high. It is the largest of the wooden Buddha halls designated as cultural properties in the prefecture. At Chayu-ji, the principal statue of Shaka Nirvana is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Isehara City. Together, these sites show different aspects of temple culture.

Local Cuisine and Seasonal Experiences

Along the Oyama approach, you can enjoy tofu dishes at inns and teahouses. The tofu is made with spring water from Oyama, giving the local cuisine a direct connection to the mountain. During the harvest season, Isehara also has numerous roadside direct-sales outlets and popular orchards where visitors can pick fruit themselves. If you want to include seasonal experiences in your trip, the harvest season is the time to plan around.

The festivals add their own seasonal highlights. The E-tōrō Festival takes place every year from mid- to late August along the approach to Oyama. Local residents handcraft picture lanterns, which are set up along Oyama Shindō and light the approach at night. The Isehara Tourism Dōkan Festival is held every October. The two events take place in different seasons and may be a factor when choosing when to travel.

Getting There and Choosing Where to Stay

Isehara Station is served by the Odakyu Line’s Romancecar limited express trains. The journey from Isehara to Shinjuku takes about 50 minutes, and to Odawara about 25 minutes. These approximate travel times can help you plan your journey. When choosing a holiday apartment or house, you can also decide whether to focus your stay on mountain and pilgrimage experiences, temple culture, local cuisine, or seasonal activities.

Discover More Destinations

More destinations at this level: Ashigarashimo District, Kawasaki, Sagamihara, Ogimachi, Yokohama, Naka District, Chigasaki and Ebina.

Back to the main travel overview: Kanagawa Prefecture.