Journey Through the Hell of Tateyama

The Toyama Prefectural Tateyama Museum is celebrating its 35th anniversary with a special exhibition entitled “Journey Through the Hell of Tateyama.”

For centuries, people believed that the world of hell existed deep within the sacred mountains of Tateyama. The Konjaku Monogatari (Tales of Times Now Past), compiled during the Heian period, even states that many sinners in Japan fell into the hell of Tateyama. Around the volcanic area known as Jigokudani (Hell Valley), visitors encounter steaming vents, barren landscapes, and the reddish pond called Chi-no-Ike (Blood Pond)—scenery so otherworldly that it inspired generations to associate Tateyama with the Buddhist vision of hell. 

This exhibition explores how hell was imagined in Japanese Buddhism through traditional Hell Scrolls (Jigoku-e) and Tateyama Mandalas, introducing visitors to the unique concept of the “Hell of Tateyama.” You may even discover forms of hell you have never imagined before. 

Every visitor will also receive a complimentary Enma Notebook, inspired by Enma, the king who judges the souls of the dead in Buddhist tradition. Readers who have enjoyed our “Tateyama Mandala” series may find this exhibition an excellent opportunity to experience the world behind those stories in person.

Exhibition Information

• Dates: July 18 – September 6, 2026 
• Venue: Special Exhibition Gallery (1st Floor), 
  Toyama Prefectural Tateyama Museum 
• Closed: Mondays (except July 20), and Tuesday, July 21 
• Admission: Adults Yen250; University Students Yen130; Free for High School Students and younger