The Hall Where Emperor Meiji Stayed in Himeji
The Himeji Senba Betsuin Hontokuji Temple Anzaisho (真宗大谷派姫路船場別院本徳寺行在所) is a temple residence of the late Edo period, altered in 1885 and 1933, moved in 2011 in Jinaimachi, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on November 2, 2018 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey timber building with a tiled roof, covering 180 square metres; registration number 28-0698.
A Residence Used by Emperor Meiji
The anzaisho of Hontokuji, the Himeji Senba Betsuin of the Shinshu Otani-ha, is a residence that served as a lodging for Emperor Meiji, standing south-facing on the west side of the precinct (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
It is 6 by 5 and a half bays, with a hip-and-gable pantile roof and copper lean-to roofs all round. The throne room at its heart has an unusual alcove arrangement, with cupboards and staggered shelves set with the built-in desk (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it as a model of design, a temple residence finished with refined design and joinery.
What to Look For
Look for the unusual alcove arrangement of the throne room (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
No official information on visiting was found.
Q&A
- When was the anzaisho built?
- In the late Edo period; it was moved in 2011 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How is anzaisho read?
- An-za-i-sho, according to the Agency's reading.
- Who stayed there?
- Emperor Meiji.
- How is Jinaimachi read?
- Ji-na-i-ma-chi, according to the Japan Post postcode data.
- When was the Himeji Senba Betsuin Hontokuji Temple Anzaisho registered?
- On November 2, 2018 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Himeji Senba Betsuin Hontokuji Temple Anzaisho (真宗大谷派姫路船場別院本徳寺行在所) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-1 Jinaimachi, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2018/11/02 (Heisei 30) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey timber, tiled roof, 180 m², 6 by 5 and a half bays |
| Owner | Hontokuji Temple, Himeji Senba Betsuin of the Shinshu Otani-ha (Religious Corporation) |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Himeji Senba Betsuin Hontokuji Temple Anzaisho (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012593
Last verified: 2026.10.18