The oldest of the registered buildings
The Myokyoji Bell Tower (妙教寺鐘楼, Myōkyō-ji Shōrō) is a belfry of 1862 south-west of the Reioden sanctuary buildings at Saijo Inari Myokyoji in Takamatsu Inari, Kita Ward, Okayama City, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2009/01/08. Of the temple's 33 registered buildings, it is the only one that goes back to the Edo period.
Like much else here, the Myokyoji Bell Tower has moved: once in 1958 and again in 1979. It now stands at the south-western corner of the area occupied by the former main sanctuary and the Seventy-Seven Subsidiary Shrines.
A standard frame, a showy roof
It is a one-bay-square belfry, 3.0 metres by 3.0 metres, open on all four sides, on a platform of stones cut into hexagons in a tortoise-shell pattern. The roof is hip-and-gable in heavy tiles, and the area is 9.3 square metres.
Square posts are tied by tie beams at three levels and a plate, with three-part bracket sets on top and frog-leg struts between. The Agency for Cultural Affairs calls the Myokyoji Bell Tower a standard one-bay belfry, then adds that its decorative ridge tiles and fish-shaped shachi ornaments are what make an impression.
Its character, in other words, is on the roof. The shachi rear up at each end of the main ridge, and the ridge tiles are stacked high, giving a small building more presence than its size would suggest.
What to look for, and visiting
The Myokyoji Bell Tower stands south-west of the Reioden buildings and can be seen at any time, free of charge. Stand back far enough to take in the whole roof and the outline of the shachi on the ridge.
Then look down at the base, where the hexagonal joints of the tortoise-shell masonry were laid with care to carry a building of 1862. Opening hours and directions are on the Saijo Inari Myokyoji page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Okayama
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Myokyoji Bell Tower
- [ Kurashiki Bikan District & Korakuen Garden Tours ]
Q&A
- When was the Myokyoji Bell Tower built?
- In 1862. It was moved in 1958 and in 1979.
- Is the bell tower the oldest registered building at Myokyoji?
- Yes. It is the only one of the 33 registered buildings dating from the Edo period.
- What should I look at on the Myokyoji Bell Tower?
- The ornamental ridge tiles and fish-shaped shachi on the roof, and the tortoise-shell stone base.
- Where is the Myokyoji Bell Tower?
- South-west of the former main sanctuary (Reioden) and the Seventy-Seven Subsidiary Shrines.
- How big is the bell tower?
- One bay square, 3.0 metres by 3.0 metres, with an area of 9.3 square metres.
Basic Information
| Name | Myokyoji Bell Tower (妙教寺鐘楼) |
|---|---|
| Location | 712 Takamatsu Inari, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 33-0200 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2009/01/08 (Heisei 21) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, hip-and-gable tiled roof; 3.0 metres by 3.0 metres, area 9.3 square metres |
| Owner | Saijo Inarisan Myokyoji (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Exterior can be seen freely in the grounds (no charge) |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Myokyoji Bell Tower
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00007583
- Okayama City — Modern Japanese-style architecture at Saijo Inari Myokyoji, by Yasukawa Mitsuru (Japanese)
- https://www.city.okayama.jp/kankou/cmsfiles/contents/0000005/5279/000179262.pdf
- Saijo Inari official site — Guide to the grounds (Japanese)
- https://inari.ne.jp/guide/
- Saijo Inari official site — Former main sanctuary, Reioden (Japanese)
- https://inari.ne.jp/facility/252/
Last verified: 2026.10.01
