What Is the Sojiji Bell Tower?
The Sojiji Bell Tower (總持寺鐘楼, Shōrō) is an open-sided belfry at Sojiji Temple in Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, built in 1915 and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2005.
It stands on a raised platform south of the central halls. It has no walls: posts alone carry a gabled roof (Kirizuma-zukuri) of formal clay tiles (Hongawarabuki) and the bell. Its building area is 30 square meters.
Of the eighteen registered structures at Sojiji Temple, the Sojiji Bell Tower is the only one listed as "difficult to reproduce". The others were recognised for their place in the landscape or as models of design; this one was recognised as craftsmanship that would be hard to repeat today.
Why the Bell Tower Was Registered
According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the plan is square, and on each side the round posts are spaced so that the central bay is twice the width of the bays either side. At each corner, an extra square post leans inward from outside.
The frame is just as considered. Bracket arms inserted into the posts and tie beams passing through them are combined to give an open structure the stiffness it needs, with carved beam ends and frog-leg struts (Kaerumata) placed at key points.
The Agency sums it up as a display of outstanding sense of form. Hanging a heavy bell while leaving all four sides open, and still looking poised, calls for skill in both structure and design. That combined achievement is why the Sojiji Bell Tower was judged hard to reproduce.
What to Look For at the Bell Tower
Look first for the raking square posts outside each corner. They are unusual in a Japanese belfry and make the tower look braced and planted.
Then count the posts along one side. With the central bay twice as wide as the outer ones, the front opens up in the middle and frames the bell behind.
Look up to see the inserted brackets stepping out from the posts to carry the beams. The carving is kept modest and tucked between structural members, so the frame itself stays the star of the Sojiji Bell Tower.
Visiting the Sojiji Bell Tower
The Sojiji Bell Tower stands south of the central halls, and because it is open-sided you can study its frame in detail from outside. Walk around it to check the corner posts and the bay spacing on each face.
There is no published opportunity for visitors to ring the bell, and the platform should not be climbed. When the bell is rung for ceremonies, keep back as staff direct. The southern part of the grounds involves slopes and steps, so watch your footing. Directions are on the Sojiji Temple page.
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Q&A
- Where is the Sojiji Bell Tower?
- On a raised platform south of the central halls of Sojiji Temple.
- Why was the Sojiji Bell Tower judged "difficult to reproduce"?
- Its open frame, 2-to-1 bay spacing, raking corner posts and skilful use of inserted brackets and tie beams show exceptional craftsmanship. It is the only one of the 18 registered structures at the temple listed under that criterion.
- What kind of roof does the Sojiji Bell Tower have?
- A gabled roof of formal clay tiles over an open-sided frame.
- When was the Sojiji Bell Tower built and registered?
- It was built in 1915 and registered on 12 July 2005.
- Can I ring the bell at the Sojiji Bell Tower?
- The temple does not offer bell-ringing to ordinary visitors. The exterior can be viewed freely.
Basic Information
| Name | Sojiji Bell Tower (總持寺鐘楼) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2-1-1 Tsurumi, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | 2005 (Heisei 17) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, tiled roof; building area 30 square meters |
| Owner | Religious Corporation Daihonzan Sojiji |
| Public Access | Exterior viewable freely from the grounds |
References
- Sojiji Bell Tower - Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00004725
- Precinct Map (Japanese) - Sotoshu Daihonzan Sojiji
- https://www.sojiji.jp/map/
- Visiting Information (Japanese) - Sotoshu Daihonzan Sojiji
- https://www.sojiji.jp/visit/
Last verified: 2026.09.16
