Saihō-ji Temple

Overview

Saihō-ji is a Jōdo-shū temple in Ōkura, Aoba Ward, Sendai, with the mountain name Gokurakuzan. Its principal image is a painted scroll of Amida Buddha, and it is said to have been founded by Kanrensha Ryōnen. Rarely called by its formal name, it is popularly known as “Jōgi Nyorai,” and with its temple-gate town it is a major sightseeing spot drawing about one million visitors a year.

Highlights

• ●A temple of Amida faith beloved as “Jōgi Nyorai”
• ●The bustle of a gate town drawing about a million visitors a year
• ●The character of a Jōdo-shū temple under the name Gokurakuzan
• ●A calm setting for worship in the hills west of Sendai

History

Said to have been founded in 1706, this Jōdo-shū temple is credited to Kanrensha Ryōnen. Enshrining a painted scroll of Amida Buddha as its principal image, it gathered faith under the mountain name Gokurakuzan. In time it became far better known by the popular name “Jōgi Nyorai” than by Saihō-ji, and a thriving temple-gate town grew up to serve pilgrims, still drawing crowds today.

Map

38.3651, 140.6678 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Walk the gate-town street, sampling local treats on the way to the approach
2. 2Pay respects at the main hall to the Amida beloved as Jōgi Nyorai
3. 3Tour the grounds and take in this Jōdo-shū temple named Gokurakuzan
4. 4Stop back at the gate town on the way out for souvenirs and street food

Did you know?

💡 That the popular name “Jōgi Nyorai” is far more widely known than the formal Saihō-ji is a defining trait of this temple. Drawing about one million visitors a year and forming a major sightseeing area together with its gate town is another highlight.

Nearby spots