An Edo-period hall moved to the Nishidani heights
The Minobusan Kuonji Sanmaido Hall (身延山久遠寺三昧堂, Sanmaidō) is a hall of 1823 facing south on high ground in the Nishidani valley at Minobusan Kuonji in Minobu, Minobu Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2018/05/10.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records that it was moved to this spot in 1941; where it stood before is not stated. The rear section, 3 bays deep, is a later addition to the Edo-period core.
The Suigyodo pavilion lies to the south-west, and the Zuimon gate with its flanking walls closes off the south-east, so the 3 buildings form a small compound on the rise.
Deep brackets and a carved porch
The record describes a single-storey timber building of 163 square metres under a copper roof. The original hall is 4 bays by 3 bays, with a hip-and-gable roof turned gable-end to the front and a porch under a cusped karahafu gable.
Look up at the eaves of the Minobusan Kuonji Sanmaido Hall. Along the sides run three-stepped bracket sets with tail rafters, which step out from the wall in 3 stages to carry the roof, and they are packed between the posts as well as on top of them.
The porch is crowded with fine carving, and inside, the ceiling is doubly coved and coffered. The agency reads all of this as the full, assured work of the late Edo period.
What to look for, and visiting
The best view of the Minobusan Kuonji Sanmaido Hall is from the south, looking up at the porch, where the carving under the karahafu and the bracket sets running off to either side can be taken in together.
The temple website does not mention public access to the interior and its coffered ceiling. Kuonji asks visitors not to photograph inside its halls, but photography outdoors is unrestricted. Hours and directions for the temple are on the Minobusan Kuonji page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Yamanashi
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Minobusan Kuonji Sanmaido Hall
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Q&A
- When was the Minobusan Kuonji Sanmaido Hall built?
- In 1823; it was moved to its present site in 1941.
- Where is the Sanmaido?
- On high ground in the Nishidani valley, facing south, with the Suigyodo to the south-west and the Zuimon gate to the south-east.
- What is special about the brackets of the Sanmaido?
- Three-stepped bracket sets with tail rafters are packed between the posts as well as on them.
- What is the ceiling inside the Sanmaido like?
- A double coved and coffered ceiling.
- When was the Sanmaido registered as a cultural property?
- On 2018/05/10.
Basic Information
| Name | Minobusan Kuonji Sanmaido Hall (身延山久遠寺三昧堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | 3620 Minobu, Minobu-cho, Minamikoma-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 19-132 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2018/05/10 (Heisei 30) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey timber, copper roof; footprint 163 square metres; 4 bays by 3 bays (3-bay rear addition) |
| Owner | Minobusan Kuonji (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Exterior only (grounds free; no photography inside halls) |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Sanmaido Hall
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012356
- Minobusan Kuonji official site — Guide to the grounds (Japanese)
- https://www.kuonji.jp/precincts/
- Minobusan Kuonji official site — FAQ (Japanese)
- https://www.kuonji.jp/faq/
Last verified: 2026.10.01
