The Treasure Hall of Uesugi Shrine
The Uesugi Shrine Keishoden (上杉神社稽照殿) is the treasure hall of Uesugi Shrine on the site of Yonezawa Castle at Marunouchi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, a reinforced-concrete building opened in 1923 when the shrine was rebuilt after the great Yonezawa fire of 1919, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on July 23, 1998 (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Keishoden).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as two storeys of reinforced concrete with a copper roof and a building area of 149 square metres; registration number 06-0027, owned by Uesugi Shrine.
Ito Chuta and the Keishoden
According to the Keishoden, both Uesugi Shrine and the treasure hall were designed by Ito Chuta, the leading authority on shrine and temple architecture, recipient of the Order of Culture and an honorary citizen of Yonezawa. The name Keishoden comes from the phrase "study the past to light the present" in the preface to the Kojiki.
The collection centres on relics and calligraphy of Uesugi Kenshin, Uesugi Kagekatsu (first lord of the Yonezawa domain) and Uesugi Yozan (the ninth), with armour, swords, paintings, calligraphy and costume, including Important Cultural Properties (Keishoden). The Yonezawa tourism association notes that Kenshin's haramaki armour laced in many colours, an Important Cultural Property, can be seen.
Why It Was Registered
The Uesugi Shrine Keishoden was registered as a building that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that it reproduces a Japanese-style exterior fairly faithfully in reinforced concrete and is loved as the treasure house of the Uesugi family's heirlooms.
What to Look For
The Uesugi Shrine Keishoden has two tiers of copper roofs and a balustrade around the upper floor (Agency for Cultural Affairs), a Taisho-period treasure hall that renders traditional shrine architecture in concrete.
Exhibits change regularly, with seasonal special exhibitions (Keishoden, Yonezawa Tourism and Convention Association).
Visiting the Keishoden
According to the Keishoden, it opens from 9:30 to 16:00 (last entry 15:45) from mid-March to November 25, and also during the Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival. Admission is 700 yen for adults, 400 yen for high school and university students and 300 yen for younger pupils. It closes on the second Wednesday of each month except August and between exhibitions.
The address is 1-4-13 Marunouchi, Yonezawa City, about 10 minutes by car or taxi from JR Yonezawa Station, or by bus to Uesugi Jinja-mae. Telephone 0238-20-6295 (Keishoden).
Q&A
- When was the Uesugi Shrine Keishoden built?
- It opened in 1923, when the shrine was rebuilt after the 1919 Yonezawa fire (Keishoden).
- Who designed the Keishoden?
- The architect Ito Chuta (Keishoden); the Agency for Cultural Affairs says it is attributed to him.
- What does the name Keishoden mean?
- It comes from a Kojiki phrase meaning to study the past to light the present (Keishoden).
- What can I see at the Keishoden?
- Armour, swords, paintings and calligraphy of Uesugi Kenshin, Kagekatsu and Yozan, shown in rotating displays (Keishoden).
- When was the Uesugi Shrine Keishoden registered?
- On July 23, 1998.
Basic Information
| Name | Uesugi Shrine Keishoden (上杉神社稽照殿) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-4-13 Marunouchi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 1998/7/23 (Heisei 10) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Reinforced concrete, 2 storeys, copper roof, building area 149 square metres |
| Owner | Uesugi Shrine (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Closed in winter; adults 700 yen |
References
- Uesugi Shrine Keishoden (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00000559
- About the Keishoden (Uesugi Shrine Keishoden)
- https://uesugi-keishoden.jp/about/
- Visitor information (Uesugi Shrine Keishoden)
- https://uesugi-keishoden.jp/info/
- Access (Uesugi Shrine Keishoden)
- https://uesugi-keishoden.jp/access/
- Keishoden (Yonezawa Tourism and Convention Association)
- https://travelyonezawa.com/spot/keishoden/
Last verified: 2026.10.11