A Late Edo Temple in the Temple Quarter of Matsumae
The Ryuunin Temple (龍雲院) is a late Edo temple group in the temple quarter of Matsumae of 1842 to 1851 in Matsushiro, Matsumae Town, Matsumae District, Hokkaido, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on January 21, 1992 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records five buildings, the main hall and priests' quarters of 1842, the main gate of 1851, the bell tower of 1846 and a storehouse built by 1846; designation number 02263.
Founded at the Wish of a Lord's Wife
Ryuunin is a temple in the temple quarter of Matsumae, founded in 1625 at the wish of the principal wife of the domain lord (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency values it because the gate, bell tower and storehouse of the same late Edo years survive with the main hall and priests' quarters, so that the whole precinct keeps its former appearance.
A Main Hall by Kashiwazaki Carpenters and Local Quarters
The main hall of 1842 was built by carpenters from Kashiwazaki in Niigata and is decorated throughout with fine carving; it is 16.7 by 15.1 metres under a hip-and-gable roof of pantiles, with a one-bay porch (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The priests' quarters of the same year were built by local carpenters, with formal reception rooms, and are among the oldest surviving domestic buildings in Hokkaido (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The four-legged main gate of 1851, the bell tower of 1846 with its skirted base and a two-storey plastered storehouse also survive.
What to Look For
Look for the carving throughout the main hall by the Kashiwazaki carpenters and the skirted bell tower (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Ryuunin Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on public access was found.
Q&A
- When was it founded?
- In 1625, at the wish of the lord's wife.
- When was the main hall built?
- In 1842, by carpenters from Kashiwazaki.
- What is special about the quarters?
- They are among the oldest houses in Hokkaido.
- What else survives?
- The main gate, bell tower and a storehouse.
- When was the Ryuunin Temple designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On January 21, 1992 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Ryuunin Temple (龍雲院) |
|---|---|
| Location | Matsushiro, Matsumae Town, Matsumae District, Hokkaido |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1992/01/21 (Heisei 4) |
| Quantity | 5 buildings |
| Dimensions | Main hall: 16.7 m × 15.1 m, hip-and-gable, pantiles |
| Owner | Ryuunin Temple |
| Public Access | No official information on access |
References
- Ryuunin Temple (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/26
Last verified: 2026.10.25
Cultural Treasures in the Same Area
All are within walking distance in the same area, so we recommend visiting them together.
- Ryuun-in Temple Somon 0.00 km
- Ryuun-in Temple Bell Tower 0.02 km
- Ryuun-in Temple storehouse 0.03 km
- Ryuun-in Temple Main Hall 0.04 km
- Ryuun-in Temple kuri 0.04 km