A Thatched Amida Hall of 1563
The Uonuma Shrine Amida Hall (魚沼神社阿弥陀堂, Uonuma Jinja Amida-dō) is a Buddhist hall of 1563, in the late Muromachi period, in the grounds of Uonuma Shrine at Tsuchikawa, Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on April 14, 1906 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a hall 3 bays by 3, single-storey, with a pyramidal thatched roof; designation number 00354, owned by Uonuma Shrine.
A Buddhist Hall in a Shrine
According to the Ojiya Tourism Association, the shrine was once called Kamiyahiko Daimyojin and was revered in the Middle Ages by warrior families including the Uesugi; it was allowed its present name in 1780. The Amida hall stands to the front left as you face the main sanctuary.
When Shinto and Buddhism were separated in the early Meiji period, the hall was renamed a portable-shrine store, but the Amida triad remained inside, and it regained the name Amida hall after the major dismantling repair of 1954 (Ojiya Tourism Association).
Why It Was Designated
The Uonuma Shrine Amida Hall was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1906. According to the Ojiya Tourism Association, it had been thought to date from the end of the Muromachi period, but during the 1954 repair an inscription dated 1563 was found on a bracket arm.
The association notes that the zodiac sign written with the date corresponds to 1565. The Agency for Cultural Affairs records 1563.
What to Look For
According to the Ojiya Tourism Association, the thatched hall is about 7 metres high and about 5 metres wide, three bays square. Its very short eaves and the absence of verandas except at the front are thought to reflect the heavy snow of the region.
Look at it as a medieval Buddhist hall of snow country, under its thick pyramidal thatch.
Visiting
Uonuma Shrine is a working shrine, and no opening of the hall's interior has been announced; the exterior can be seen in the grounds. The shrine's annual festival is held on August 15 and 16 (Ojiya Tourism Association).
The shrine is at Tsuchikawa 2-chome, Ojiya City (12-22 according to the tourism association's map). Enquiries go to the Ojiya Tourism Association (0258-86-0288).
Q&A
- When was the Uonuma Shrine Amida Hall built?
- In 1563 according to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, confirmed by an inscription found during repairs (Ojiya Tourism Association).
- What style is the hall?
- Three bays square, single-storey, with a pyramidal thatched roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Why is there an Amida hall at a shrine?
- It was renamed during the separation of Shinto and Buddhism, but the Amida triad stayed inside, and the name was restored in 1954 (Ojiya Tourism Association).
- Does it show features of snow country?
- Its very short eaves and lack of side verandas are thought to reflect the heavy snow (Ojiya Tourism Association).
- When was the hall designated?
- On April 14, 1906.
Basic Information
| Name | Uonuma Shrine Amida Hall (魚沼神社阿弥陀堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | Tsuchikawa 2-chome, Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1906/04/14 (Meiji 39) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | 3 by 3 bays, single storey, pyramidal roof, thatched |
| Owner | Uonuma Shrine |
| Public Access | Shrine grounds (exterior visible; no interior opening announced) |
References
- Uonuma Shrine Amida Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/639
- Uonuma Shrine (Ojiya Tourism Association, Japanese)
- https://www.ojiyakanko.com/place_uonuma.html
Last verified: 2026.10.14