A Muromachi Pagoda among the Houses of Kokubu
The Kokubunji Temple Three-Storey Pagoda (国分寺三重塔) is the three-storey pagoda of Shinano Kokubunji of the mid-Muromachi period in Kokubu, Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on August 28, 1907 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a three-bay, three-storey pagoda with a copper roof, designated together with five ridge tablets; designation number 00472.
The 1907 date in the Agency record is that of its designation under the former law.
A Pagoda Mainly in the Japanese Style
This three-bay, three-storey pagoda with a copper roof stands at Shinano Kokubunji in Kokubu, Ueda, and is designated together with five ridge tablets (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The Agency dates it to the mid-Muromachi period.
According to a Nagano Prefecture cultural property map, it is mainly in the Japanese style with some Zen-style elements, and its gracefully curving eaves are striking. The pagoda rises among the houses of the village.
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 mid-Muromachi pagoda, designated with five ridge tablets (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
Look for the gracefully curving eaves of each storey and the mainly Japanese-style bracketing (Nagano Prefecture).
Visiting
It is owned by Kokubunji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official visiting information was found.
Q&A
- When was the pagoda built?
- In the mid-Muromachi period (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What style is it?
- Mainly Japanese, with some Zen-style elements (Nagano Prefecture).
- What else is designated with it?
- Five ridge tablets.
- Where is it?
- At Shinano Kokubunji in Kokubu, Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture.
- When was the Kokubunji Temple Three-Storey Pagoda designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On August 28, 1907 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Kokubunji Temple Three-Storey Pagoda (国分寺三重塔) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kokubu, Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1907/08/28 (Meiji 40) |
| Quantity | 1 pagoda (with 5 ridge tablets) |
| Dimensions | Three-bay, three-storey pagoda, copper roof |
| Owner | Kokubunji Temple |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Kokubunji Temple Three-Storey Pagoda (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/934
- Cultural property map of Ueda (Nagano Prefecture, Toshin Education Office)
- https://www.pref.nagano.lg.jp/toshinkyo/bunnkazai/documents/bunnkazaimapuedashi.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.23