The Two-Tiered Hall of Fujikura
The Enmeiji Temple Jizo Hall (延命寺地蔵堂) is a Buddhist hall with a pent roof of the mid-Muromachi period in Kawahigashimachi Kurahashi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on April 15, 1903 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records three bays square, single-storey with a pent roof (mokoshi), hipped, with full tiles, designated together with three ridge tablets; designation number 00267.
The 1903 date in the Agency record is that of its designation under the former law.
The Fujikura Nikaido, a Hall with a Pent Roof
The Jizo hall of Enmeiji is a hipped, fully tiled hall three bays square with a pent roof around it, designated together with three ridge tablets (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The Agency dates it to the mid-Muromachi period.
According to Fukushima Prefecture's Rekishi Kairo Aizu guide, the temple is said to have been founded by the monk Tokuitsu in 807, and the present hall dates from the early to mid-Muromachi period, with Zen-style details throughout. The pent roof is carried on six round columns on each side, and because the layered roofs make it look two-storeyed it is also called the Fujikura Nikaido.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency record has no commentary; the structure and date set out what was designated. It is a mid-Muromachi three-bay hall with a pent roof, designated with three ridge tablets (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
Look for the layered roofs that look like two storeys and the six round columns on each side carrying the pent roof (Fukushima Prefecture).
Visiting
It is owned by Enmeiji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to Fukushima Prefecture, admission is free and there is free parking for about 5 cars. It is about 8 minutes by car from JR Aizu-Wakamatsu Station or the Aizu-Wakamatsu interchange, and about a 1-minute walk from the Fujikura bus stop.
Q&A
- When was the hall built?
- In the mid-Muromachi period (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Why is it called the Fujikura Nikaido?
- Its layered roofs make it look two-storeyed.
- What style is it?
- Zen style in its details (Fukushima Prefecture).
- Is there an admission fee?
- No, it is free (Fukushima Prefecture).
- When was the Enmeiji Temple Jizo Hall designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On April 15, 1903 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Enmeiji Temple Jizo Hall (延命寺地蔵堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | 160-2 Kawahigashimachi Kurahashi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1903/04/15 (Meiji 36) |
| Quantity | 1 building (with 3 ridge tablets) |
| Dimensions | Three bays square, single-storey with pent roof, hipped, full tiles |
| Owner | Enmeiji Temple |
| Public Access | Free; about 8 minutes by car from JR Aizu-Wakamatsu Station |
References
- Enmeiji Temple Jizo Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/223
- Rekishi Kairo Aizu: Enmeiji Jizo Hall (Fukushima Prefecture, Aizu-Wakamatsu Construction Office)
- https://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/sec/41340a/www-wakamatsu-kensetsu83.html
Last verified: 2026.10.23