Zenpukuin Temple Shakado

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This temple belonging to the Tendai school of Buddhism is located in the expansive valley of Umeda just south of Wakanoura Port. The temple was founded as one of the five Kofukuji Gokain temples in 1372 by Eisai, the monk who brought tea to Japan. The temple is said to have been so prosperous during the Azuchi-Momoyama period as the family temple of the Kamo clan that it had a complete seven-structured temple compound. However, the only temple building that remains today is the Shakado Hall, a Zenshu-style Buddhist temple featuring a mokoshi (decorative pent roof). Designated a national treasure, the hall is notable for its oversized pillars and beams and for prominently displaying characteristics of the Zenshuyo style such as the tile-covered hipped roof and parallel rafters. Together with the Shariden of Engakuji Temple in Kamakura and the Butsuden of Kozanji Temple in Yamaguchi Prefecture it is considered to be one of the oldest archetypal Zenshuyo-style Buddhist temple buildings remaining in Japan.

Spot details

Address: Wakayama Kainan-shi Shimotsucho Umeda 271 Map
Area: Kainan / Arita / Minabe / Tanabe Area
Phone: 0734922188
Hours: 9:00-16:00
Closed: open everyday
Fees: [Worship fee] Free
[Internal admission fee (reservation required)] 200yen
Parking Lot: Available 10spaces
Credit Card: Not available