浄善寺

Overview

Jozen-ji is a temple of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji school located in the Kakizaki district of Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture. Its mountain name is Kawagoe-zan, and it stands in front of the Kakizaki district general affairs office. The temple is known locally for a main hall whose appearance recalls an Indian pagoda.

Highlights

• ●A main hall with a rare exterior built in Indian pagoda style
• ●Regarded as Japan's first main hall in this style
• ●The main hall is registered as a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property
• ●Belongs to the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji school, with the mountain name Kawagoe-zan

History

The main hall was designed during the Taisho era and completed in 1928 (Showa 3). It is considered to be the first main hall built in Indian pagoda style in Japan, and it has been registered as a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property.

Map

37.2775, 138.3906 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Head to the temple grounds in front of the Kakizaki district general affairs office
2. 2Take time to view the exterior of the Indian-pagoda-style main hall
3. 3Note the hall's background: designed in the Taisho era, completed in 1928, and its status as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property
4. 4Since it is a working temple, check visiting etiquette and current opening status through official information beforehand

Did you know?

💡 As a Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-school temple, Jozen-ji carries out its activities based on Buddhist teachings, aiming for the prosperity and peace of the community. Its Indian-pagoda-style main hall, said to be the first of its kind in Japan, is familiar to local residents.

Nearby spots