A Three-Storied Pagoda That Changes Style as It Rises
A short walk from Toyokawa Station, on the grounds of the temple known popularly as Toyokawa Benzaiten, a small pagoda rises just 14.5 meters. Its formal name is Sanmyo-ji, a Soto Zen temple, and the pagoda is the oldest building on its grounds, rebuilt in 1531 during the Muromachi period.
The pagoda repays a slow look from the base upward, because it does not keep to a single architectural manner. The first and second stories follow wayo, the established Japanese temple style, with calm, level eaves. The third story switches to zenshuyo, the Zen style imported from China, and its eaves sweep up at the corners far more sharply than those below. A pagoda that shifts vocabulary partway up is unusual anywhere in Japan, and the contrast gives the small structure a lively, almost unsettled profile.
Sanmyo-ji traces its origins to the year 702 by tradition, founded after Emperor Monmu is said to have recovered from illness here through the power of Benzaiten. The temple later fell into ruin and was revived in the early fifteenth century by the Zen monk Mubun Gensen, who according to tradition placed an image of Dainichi Buddha in the first story of the pagoda.
Why the Pagoda Was Designated
The pagoda was listed as an Important Cultural Property in 1907, one of the earlier designations in the prefecture. Its form is described as a three-bay, three-storied pagoda roofed in kokerabuki, thin wooden shingles.
The reason for its standing is the mixed style. Buildings that combine wayo and zenshuyo exist, but a pagoda that reserves the Zen manner for its top story alone, and carries it off as a balanced design, is rare. The strong upward curve of the third roof, set against the quieter lines beneath, reads as a deliberate choice rather than an accident of repair. For a structure this modest in height, the design ambition is what sets it apart.
What to Look For on a Visit
Stand near the stone torii at the entrance and you can frame the gate and the pagoda in a single view, a pairing that surprises visitors who expect a strict line between shrine and temple. The grounds are compact, and the pagoda sits close enough that its bracketing and railings can be studied without straining upward, which is part of its appeal: a full pagoda at an approachable scale.
The same precinct holds a second national treasure of carpentry, the interior shrine within the main hall, and the temple's main hall of 1712 carries a coffered ceiling painted in strong colors. In spring the grounds fill with cherry blossom, including weeping varieties, and the pagoda becomes a favorite subject for photographers. The temple is roughly a five-minute walk from Toyokawa Station, with parking available.
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Questions and Answers
- What makes this pagoda unusual?
- Its first two stories use the Japanese wayo style, while the third switches to the Zen zenshuyo style with sharply upturned eaves. Such a mix within one pagoda is rare nationwide.
- How tall is it, and how old?
- It stands 14.5 meters and was rebuilt in 1531, the oldest building on the temple grounds. It was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1907.
- Can I go inside the pagoda?
- No. The pagoda is viewed from the grounds. By tradition its first story once held an image of Dainichi Buddha.
- Why does a temple have a torii gate?
- Sanmyo-ji enshrines Benzaiten, a deity venerated in both Buddhist and Shinto practice, so a torii stands within the temple. Gate and pagoda can be seen together.
- How do I reach the temple?
- It is about a five-minute walk from Toyokawa Station, served by JR and Meitetsu lines. Parking is available on site.
Basic Information
| Name | Sanmyo-ji Three-Storied Pagoda |
|---|---|
| Location | Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (designated 27 May 1907) |
| Date | Kyoroku 4 (1531), late Muromachi period |
| Form | Three-bay, three-storied pagoda, kokerabuki shingles; height about 14.5 m; one unit |
| Owner | Sanmyo-ji |
| Viewing | Viewed from the temple grounds; about five minutes on foot from Toyokawa Station |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, National Cultural Properties Database
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1227
- Toyokawa City Tourism Association
- https://www.toyokawa-map.net/spot/000213.html
- Aichi Prefecture cultural and tourism information
- https://aichi.mytabi.net/sanmyoji-temple-toyokawa-benzaiten.php
Last verified: 2026.06.24