A Matsushiro-Style Temple Hall
The Shorenji Temple Main Hall (證蓮寺本堂) is the main hall of a True Pure Land temple of 1887 in Matsushiromachi Matsushiro, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on November 17, 2015 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey timber hall with a tiled roof and a building area of 221 square metres; registration number 20-0487.
A Hall in the Temple Quarter
The Shorenji Temple Main Hall belongs to Shorenji, whose grounds lie in the temple quarter in the southeast of the old castle town of Matsushiro (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The hall is 14 metres long, with a one-bay porch at the front.
Its plan follows the standard form for halls of the True Pure Land school, with a carved tie beam marking the boundary between the centre of the worshippers' hall and the inner enclosure (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape: its hipped roof with a short ridge shows the profile typical of temple halls in Matsushiro.
What to Look For
Notice the hipped roof with its short ridge and the porch at the front (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
No official information from the temple on access to the grounds was found. The location is described on the Shorenji Temple page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Nagano
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Shorenji Temple Main Hall
- [ Matsumoto Castle & Kamikochi Hiking Tours ]
Q&A
- When was the Shorenji Temple Main Hall built?
- In 1887 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is special about the Shorenji Main Hall?
- Its short-ridged hipped roof, typical of temple halls in Matsushiro.
- Where is Shorenji Temple?
- In the temple quarter southeast of the old castle town of Matsushiro, Nagano City.
- How big is the Shorenji Main Hall?
- 14 metres long, with a building area of 221 square metres.
- When was the Shorenji Temple Main Hall registered?
- On November 17, 2015 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Shorenji Temple Main Hall (證蓮寺本堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | Lot 1299 and others, Matsushiromachi Matsushiro, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2015/11/17 (Heisei 27) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey timber, tiled roof, 221 m² |
| Owner | Shorenji Temple (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Access arrangements unconfirmed |
References
- Shorenji Temple Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010775
Last verified: 2026.10.15
