Ichijoji Temple Main Hall: A Nine-Bay Hall Built Out Over the Slope
The Ichijoji Temple Main Hall (一乗寺本堂, Ichijoji Hondo) is a Buddhist hall built in 1628 at Ichijoji in Sakamoto-cho, Kasai City, Hyogo Prefecture, and in 1983 was designated a national Important Cultural Property.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records the Ichijoji Temple Main Hall as a stilted (Kakezukuri) hall nine bays by eight, single-storey, with a tiled hip-and-gable (Irimoya-zukuri) roof and a water-offering shelf at the rear. The Saigoku pilgrimage association says Honda Tadamasa, lord of Himeji, rebuilt it after the main hall burned in the Genna era; it is also called the Kondo or Daihikaku.
Why It Was Designated
The Agency describes the Ichijoji Temple Main Hall as a large nine-bay stilted hall that follows medieval tradition in its plan and overall construction, while showing an early modern approach in removing posts from the outer worship area to enlarge the space for worshippers.
It also praises the design of the inner shrine cabinet and counts the hall among the leading early modern temple and shrine buildings in Hyogo Prefecture.
Kasai City says the dismantling repair of the hall was completed in March 2008, and the works were opened to the public several times while in progress.
What to Look For
The hall projects over the hillside on long posts. Climb the steps and stand in front of it to sense the scale of the stilted platform over the valley.
Inside, look at the spacious outer worship area, freed of posts, and the finely designed shrine cabinet.
Visiting the Main Hall
Ichijoji is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is 500 yen, according to the Saigoku pilgrimage association. Access and treasure-hall booking are covered on the Ichijoji Temple page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Hyogo
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Ichijoji Temple Main Hall
- [ Himeji Castle & Kobe Night View Cruise ]
Q&A
- When was the Ichijoji Temple Main Hall built?
- In 1628, when Honda Tadamasa rebuilt the hall after it burned in the Genna era.
- What is special about the Ichijoji Temple Main Hall?
- It is a large stilted nine-bay hall that enlarges the worship space by removing posts, an early modern technique.
- When was the Ichijoji Temple Main Hall designated?
- On 26 December 1983.
- Has the Ichijoji Temple Main Hall been restored?
- Yes, a dismantling repair was completed in March 2008.
- How much does it cost to visit?
- Admission to Ichijoji is 500 yen; it is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Basic Information
| Name | Ichijoji Temple Main Hall (一乗寺本堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | 821-17 Sakamoto-cho, Kasai City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (building) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1983/12/26 (Showa 58) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Stilted hall, nine bays by eight, single-storey, hip-and-gable roof, tiled, water-offering shelf at rear |
| Owner | Ichijoji |
| Public Access | Open within the temple (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 500 yen) |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Ichijoji Main Hall (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/2393
- Kasai City: Ichijoji Main Hall (Japanese)
- https://www.city.kasai.hyogo.jp/soshiki/34/1689.html
- Saigoku Pilgrimage Association: Ichijoji (Japanese)
- https://saikoku33.gr.jp/place/26
Last verified: 2026.09.27
