A Stone Shrine by a Spring
The Rengebuji Temple Dokkodo Hall (蓮華峰寺独鈷堂) is a stone shrine of 1622 by inscription 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 single-storey stone shrine with a stone roof and a building area of 3.0 square metres; registration number 15-0135.
Up the Valley by a Spring
The Rengebuji Temple Dokkodo Hall is a gabled stone shrine, entered at the gable end, beside a spring up the valley west of the Kondo forecourt (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
It collapsed in a flood in 1979 and was repaired; one of the stones not reused at that time bears an inscription dated 1622 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Rengebuji Temple Dokkodo Hall was registered as a model of form. The Agency values it for the care of its stonework.
What to Look For
The front is divided into three bays, and demon faces are carved at both ends of the stone ridge (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Small as it is, the shrine copies the form of a timber hall in stone.
Reaching the Rengebuji Temple Dokkodo Hall means walking up the valley; the spring and the stone shrine belong together as a place.
Visiting
The Rengebuji Temple Dokkodo Hall stands by a spring up the western valley 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 Dokkodo Hall
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Q&A
- How old is the Rengebuji Temple Dokkodo Hall?
- One of its stones carries an inscription dated 1622 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What kind of structure is the Rengebuji Temple Dokkodo Hall?
- A gabled stone shrine with a three-bay front and demon faces at the ends of its stone ridge.
- Has the Dokkodo been repaired?
- Yes; it collapsed in a flood in 1979 and was repaired (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where is the Rengebuji Temple Dokkodo Hall?
- By a spring up the valley west of the Kondo forecourt.
- When was the Rengebuji Temple Dokkodo Hall registered?
- On August 21, 2002 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Rengebuji Temple Dokkodo Hall (蓮華峰寺独鈷堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kobie, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2002/08/21 (Heisei 14) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Stone, single storey, stone roof, building area 3.0 square metres |
| Owner | Rengebuji Temple (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Exterior visible within the precinct |
References
- Rengebuji Temple Dokkodo Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00002916
Last verified: 2026.10.14
