The First Temple of the Old Sado Pilgrimage

The Rengebuji Temple Jizo Hall (蓮華峰寺地蔵堂) is a Buddhist hall of 1893 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 timber hall with a tiled roof and a building area of 29 square metres; registration number 15-0121.

The Main Hall of Hoshakuin

The Rengebuji Temple Jizo Hall, east of the Kondo, is the main hall of the sub-temple Hoshakuin and the first temple of the old Sado Shikoku pilgrimage (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

A ridge tablet dates it to 1893 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Why It Was Registered

The Rengebuji Temple Jizo Hall was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape. The Agency notes that it is valued as part of the Rengebuji complex and of the local pilgrimage.

What to Look For

It is three bays by three, with a pyramidal pantiled roof, and the altar projects under the eaves at the back (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Walk round to the back of the Rengebuji Temple Jizo Hall and you can see the projecting altar from outside.

Visiting

The Rengebuji Temple Jizo Hall stands east 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.

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Q&A

QWhen was the Rengebuji Temple Jizo Hall built?
AIn 1893, according to its ridge tablet (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
QWhat is the Rengebuji Temple Jizo Hall?
AThe main hall of the sub-temple Hoshakuin and the first stop on the old Sado Shikoku pilgrimage.
QWhat are its features?
AA three-bay square hall with a pyramidal pantiled roof and an altar projecting at the back.
QWhere is the Rengebuji Temple Jizo Hall?
AEast of the Kondo (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
QWhen was the Rengebuji Temple Jizo Hall registered?
AOn August 21, 2002 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Basic Information

NameRengebuji Temple Jizo Hall (蓮華峰寺地蔵堂)
LocationKobie, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture
DesignationRegistered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure)
Year DesignatedRegistered 2002/08/21 (Heisei 14)
Quantity1 building
DimensionsTimber, single storey, tiled roof, building area 29 square metres
OwnerRengebuji Temple (religious corporation)
Public AccessExterior visible within the precinct

References

Rengebuji Temple Jizo Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00002903

Last verified: 2026.10.14