The Pagoda of the Tokugawa Family Temple
The Taijuji Temple Tahoto Pagoda (大樹寺多宝塔) is a late Muromachi three-bay tahoto pagoda at Taijuji, family temple of the Matsudaira and the Tokugawa shoguns of 1535 in Kamodacho, Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on February 18, 1904 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a three-bay tahoto pagoda with a cypress-bark roof; designation number 00301.
The 1904 date in the Agency record is that of its designation under the former law.
The Matsudaira Family Temple
The tahoto pagoda of Taijuji in Kamodacho, Okazaki, Aichi, dates from 1535 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is a three-bay tahoto with a cypress-bark roof.
According to Aichi Now, the prefectural tourism site, Taijuji was founded in 1475 by Matsudaira Chikatada, fourth head of the Matsudaira family, to pray for those killed in battle, and it became the family temple of the Matsudaira and the Tokugawa shoguns. The pagoda is called the finest in the Tokai region. The temple is laid out so that Okazaki Castle can be seen to the south through its gates, a straight 3 km sightline known as the Vista Line.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency record has no commentary; the date, 1535, and its form, a three-bay tahoto with a cypress-bark roof, set out what was designated.
What to Look For
At the pagoda, look for the classic tahoto profile under its two cypress-bark roofs (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
The pagoda is owned by Taijuji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to Aichi Now, the temple is open 9:00–16:00 (last entry 15:30) every day, and viewing its treasures costs 500 yen for adults. Take a Meitetsu bus from Higashi-Okazaki Station to the Daijuji stop, then walk 10 minutes.
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In 1535 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is Taijuji?
- The Tokugawa family temple.
- How is the name read?
- Taijuji.
- When was it designated?
- In 1904, under the former law.
- When was the Taijuji Temple Tahoto Pagoda designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On February 18, 1904 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Taijuji Temple Tahoto Pagoda (大樹寺多宝塔) |
|---|---|
| Location | Hiromoto, Kamodacho, Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1904/02/18 (Meiji 37) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Three-bay tahoto, cypress bark |
| Owner | Taijuji Temple |
| Public Access | 9:00–16:00 (last entry 15:30), open daily (Aichi Now, Aichi Prefecture) |
References
- Taijuji Temple Tahoto Pagoda (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/1198
- Taijuji (Aichi Now, in Japanese)
- https://aichinow.pref.aichi.jp/spots/detail/38/
Last verified: 2026.11.15