A Skirted Bell Tower of 1615
The Rengebuji Temple Bell Tower (蓮華峰寺鐘楼堂) is a bell tower of 1615 in the precinct of Rengebuji Temple in Kobie, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on August 21, 2002 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a two-storey timber structure with a copper roof and a building area of 19 square metres; registration number 15-0123.
A Skirted Bell Tower on the Terrace
The Rengebuji Temple Bell Tower stands on a terrace northeast of the Kondo and is of the skirted type (hakamagoshi), its lower storey wrapped in boarding like a divided skirt with the bell hung above (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Rengebuji Temple Bell Tower was registered as a model of form. The Agency calls it a bell tower of orthodox technique which, despite heavy alteration late in the Edo period, still keeps the character of Momoyama architecture.
What to Look For
The upper storey is three bays by two, ringed by a balcony carried on its own brackets, with demi-projecting bracketing and a hipped roof of copper shaped like thatch (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Looking up at the Rengebuji Temple Bell Tower you can read three layers: the boarded skirt, the projecting balcony, and the thick hipped roof above.
Visiting
The Rengebuji Temple Bell Tower stands on the terrace northeast of the Kondo in the Rengebuji precinct, and its exterior can be seen within the grounds. No official information on interior access was found. Directions to the temple are given on the Rengebuji Temple page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Niigata
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Rengebuji Temple Bell Tower
- [ Sado Island & Echigo-Yuzawa Ski Resort Tours ]
Q&A
- When was the Rengebuji Temple Bell Tower built?
- In 1615 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What type of bell tower is it?
- A skirted (hakamagoshi) bell tower with a balcony around the upper storey.
- Why was the Rengebuji Temple Bell Tower registered?
- Despite late Edo alterations it keeps the character of Momoyama architecture (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where is the Rengebuji Temple Bell Tower?
- On the terrace northeast of the Kondo (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Rengebuji Temple Bell Tower registered?
- On August 21, 2002 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Rengebuji Temple Bell Tower (蓮華峰寺鐘楼堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kobie, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2002/08/21 (Heisei 14) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, two storeys, copper roof, building area 19 square metres |
| Owner | Rengebuji Temple (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Exterior visible within the precinct |
References
- Rengebuji Temple Bell Tower (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00005077
Last verified: 2026.10.14
