A Thatched Zen-Style Hall with a Painted Interior
Okunoin Bentendo (奥之院弁天堂) is a thatched three-bay hall enshrining the goddess Benzaiten of the late Muromachi period in Yanaizu, Yanaizu Town, Kawanuma District, Fukushima Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on April 5, 1917 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records three bays square, single-storey, with a pyramidal thatched roof; designation number 00693.
The 1917 date in the Agency record is that of its designation under the former law.
A Thatched Hall in the Muromachi Zen Style
Okunoin Bentendo is a hall three bays square with a pyramidal thatched roof, dated by the Agency to the late Muromachi period (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to Fukushima Prefecture's Rekishi Kairo Aizu guide, it is a single-storey thatched hall typical of the Muromachi Zen style, with doors on all four sides and bell-shaped windows.
Fukushima Prefecture notes that the richly coloured paintings inside are especially fine. It is called the Bentendo because its principal image is the goddess Benzaiten.
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 late Muromachi hall three bays square with a pyramidal thatched roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
Look for the pyramidal thatched roof, the doors on all four sides and the bell-shaped windows (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Fukushima Prefecture).
Visiting
It is owned by Okunoin (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to Fukushima Prefecture, the interior is not open and only the exterior can be seen. It is about a 15-minute walk from Aizu-Yanaizu Station on the JR Tadami Line, and there is parking.
Q&A
- When was the hall built?
- In the late Muromachi period (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Why is it called the Bentendo?
- Its principal image is Benzaiten (Fukushima Prefecture).
- Can I see inside?
- No; only the exterior can be viewed.
- What is the nearest station?
- Aizu-Yanaizu on the JR Tadami Line, about 15 minutes on foot.
- When was Okunoin Bentendo designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On April 5, 1917 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Okunoin Bentendo (奥之院弁天堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | Ko-898 Yanaizu, Yanaizu Town, Kawanuma District, Fukushima Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1917/04/05 (Taisho 6) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Three bays square, single-storey, pyramidal thatched roof |
| Owner | Okunoin |
| Public Access | Exterior only; about 15 minutes on foot from Aizu-Yanaizu Station |
References
- Okunoin Bentendo (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/222
- Rekishi Kairo Aizu: Okunoin Bentendo (Fukushima Prefecture, Aizu-Wakamatsu Construction Office)
- https://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/sec/41340a/kenchiku-okunoin.html
Last verified: 2026.10.23