A Traditional Open Belfry
The Honkoji Temple Bell Tower (本光寺鐘楼) is an open bell tower of 1886 in Sawanekagomachi, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on March 7, 2008 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a tiled timber structure of 6.5 square metres, moved here in 1973; registration number 15-0293.
A Belfry North-East of the Hall
The Honkoji Temple Bell Tower stands north-east of the main hall, a one-bay open belfry on a raised base (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Its square posts lean slightly inward and are tied by rails at waist and lintel height, with a beam-like head tie and a plate on top.
The brackets are simple three-block sets, with further sets between them, the gables carry a tie-beam and bottle-shaped strut, and the eaves have two tiers of closely set rafters (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency describes it as a standard open belfry in the traditional manner and registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
Look for the inward-leaning posts and the double-tiered rafters of the eaves (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Honkoji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The four structures are introduced together on the Honkoji Temple page. No official visiting information was found.
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In 1886; it was moved here in 1973 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What type is it?
- A one-bay open belfry.
- What about the posts?
- Square posts that lean slightly inward.
- Where is it?
- North-east of the main hall of Honkoji.
- When was the Honkoji Temple Bell Tower registered?
- On March 7, 2008 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Honkoji Temple Bell Tower (本光寺鐘楼) |
|---|---|
| Location | 39 Sawanekagomachi, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2008/03/07 (Heisei 20) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Timber, tiled roof, 6.5 m² |
| Owner | Honkoji Temple (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Honkoji Temple Bell Tower (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006820
Last verified: 2026.10.21
