[2025 Aizuwakamatsu Attraction] Travel Guide for Sazae Temple (Updated Jul)

Introducing some mysterious spots you should definitely visit in Fukushima✍🏻 (All photos are from May 2023) ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ This is Aizu Sazaedo in Fukushima Prefecture Built in 1796, this wooden hall is a rare building in the world where you never pass anyone on the way up or down👏 You can walk to the top on a double helix slope. It's also a designated national important cultural property! When you reach the top, there are lots of charms on the ceiling...!! ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ From the parking lot to where the shrine is, you just have to go up the stairs🫰🏻 If you're not confident in your legs or stamina, don't hesitate to take the slope🫶🏻 It's a paid ride, but it's only 250 yen, so it's great value for money🌟 It's a breeze to climb, so I highly recommend it for midsummer sightseeing💪🏻 ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ There are many paid parking lots nearby🚐 I parked in the closest one, but it came with a 500 yen voucher that could be used at a shop halfway up the mountain. I bought gelato at the shop 🫶 They also sold a lot of souvenirs ☺️ ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ✍🏻 ɪɴғᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ (As of December 2023) Aizu Sazaedo 📍Address | 1404 Yahata Bentenshita, Ichinomachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture 🕰Opening hours | (December to March) 9:00 to 16:00 (April to November) 8:15 to sunset 🎫Admission fee | 400 yen for adults 🚐Parking | Available (paid) ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ #Domestic travel #Fukushima tourism #Photogenic spots #Fukushima trip #Aizu Sazaedo #TohokuTrip #besttrip2023

Address - Takizawa-155 Itsukimachi Ōaza Yahata, Aizuwakamatsu-shi, Fukushima 965-0003, Japan Attractions - Buddha temple Entrance fee - 400 Japanese yen for adult From Tokyo, take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo or Ueno Station to Koriyama and transfer to the JR Ban-Etsu West line bound for Aizuwakamatsu. The trip takes a bit more than two hours. From Sendai, get on the Tohoku Shinkansen towards Tokyo, transfer at Koriyama to the JR Ban-Etsu West line bound for Aizuwakamatsu. The trip takes a bit more than two hours. BY BUS From JR Aizuwakamatsu Station, take the city loop bus to Iimoriyama Iriguchi (Mount Iimori Entrance). #japan #fukushima #sakae

Sazaedo is located near Mt. Imoriyama. The reason why it looks like a turban is because of its shape. It is a wooden building with a spiral staircase, and you walk a different route on the way there and back. I was surprised at how labyrinthine it is. There is also a shrine near Sazaedo, and the leaves have fallen. I wonder if the autumn leaves will be over soon. #Autumn leaves #Outdoors

We visited Sazaedo Temple during our trip to Aizu-Wakamatsu, and it turned out to be one of the most unique and memorable experiences of our journey through Japan. Constructed entirely of wood back in 1796, Sazaedo is a true architectural wonder. Its most fascinating feature is its double-helix structure, where you ascend and descend without ever crossing paths with anyone walking in the opposite direction. It’s clever, peaceful, and symbolic—designed to let worshippers pray without disruption. Even by modern standards, the design feels incredibly advanced. What made this temple even more special is the fact that it’s never been rebuilt. Walking through it, you really feel like you’re stepping into a piece of living history. The creaking of the floorboards, the smell of aged timber, and the traces of those who’ve walked before us all add to the atmosphere. In fact, this is said to be the only wooden double-helix structure of its kind in the world. Historically, pilgrims would walk through to pray at the 33 Kannon statues, and as proof of their visit, they’d paste a personal label with their family name on the walls or ceiling—a bit like the Edo period’s version of “I was here.” You can still see many of those old labels, and while the tradition continues today, the temple staff kindly ask visitors not to stick anything outside of the designated areas to help preserve the original wood. What I loved most about Sazaedo is that you don’t need to understand Japanese to appreciate it. The whole experience is physical, visual, and intuitive. It’s perfect for families, curious travelers, and history buffs alike. You’re not just visiting a temple—you’re walking through centuries of devotion and ingenuity, wrapped up in one wooden spiral. #summervacay #SazaedoTemple #AizuWakamatsu #HiddenGemsJapan #JapaneseHistory #DoubleHelixTemple #EdoPeriodVibes #CulturalJapan #TohokuTravel #HistoricArchitecture #FamilyFriendlyJapan #JapanTravel2025 #japan #japantrip #tohoku #tohokutrip #travel

#springwander Sazae-do is a Kannon-do Hall on the slopes of Mt. Iimori, which is known as the land of the White Tiger Corps's self-Defence, and its official name is Entsu Sando. In the Edo period, a hall called Sando was built in various places, based on the Buddhist etiquette of right-handed three-handed three times around the right. Among the existing Sando-do Hall, it is said that the uniqueness of this Sazaedo Hall is outstanding. It is currently designated as an important national cultural property.

#GetDiscountWithoutLuck This temple is extremely charming. Sazaedo Wooden Pagoda in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima An ancient wooden pagoda over 200 years old with an extremely unique structure Walk up the spiral staircase in a single direction No need to go back and make a mess It is a rare architecture in Japan that you must see with your own eyes Inside the pagoda, it feels very magical With the atmosphere of an ancient shrine Mixed with light that filters through the old wood It adds more mystery and magic Walking around makes you feel like you have traveled back in time to the Edo period The atmosphere around the temple is very quiet Surrounded by large trees, giving a truly ancient Japanese feel If you come during the fall foliage season, you will see red, orange, and yellow contrasting perfectly with the old wooden pagoda Or if you come in winter, you may see some light snow Adding another level of magic For those who love temples, history Or like quiet places You have to come and experience it yourself once 📍 Sazaedo, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima #Sazaedo #Aizuwakamatsu #Fukushima #TravelJapan #JapanTrip #BeautifulTemplesJapan #HiddenGemJapan #JapanNature”

The Aizu Sazaedo, a 16.5m-tall, three-story hexagonal structure, was built on Mt. Imori in 1796. ✨⁡ ⁡ At the time, there was a temple called Shoshu-ji on Mt. Imori, and the head priest, Sou Ikudo, designed this building. 💡⁡ ⁡ The building has a double-spiral slope, with completely separate paths for going up and down, making it a "one-way structure" that is simply amazing❗⁡ ⁡ Many visitors It is a rare architectural style in the world that allows people to pray safely without passing each other😊⁡ ⁡ In the past, the statues of the Thirty-Three Kannon Bodhisattvas of the Western Region were placed along the unique double-spiral slope, and worshippers could visit the Thirty-Three Kannon Bodhisattvas by visiting this hall👍⁡ ⁡ ⁡ This is a spot you definitely can't miss when sightseeing in Fukushima🍀⁡ Please go and check it out🎵⁡ ⁡ ⋈ ････Details･･･ ⋈⁡ Parking: None, paid parking available nearby #tripdomestictravel #photogenicspot #domestictravel #fukushimatourism #fukushimatrip

#JanuaryGoodPlaces2025 The Aizu Spiral Hall (さざえ堂) that I visited this time was one of the most surprising discoveries I made in the Aizu area of ​​Fukushima Prefecture. This wooden temple, built in 1796, not only has a unique double helix structure, but also contains rich history and religious culture. It is an extremely charming architectural heritage. Architectural Features and Visiting Experience The most amazing thing about the Spiral Hall is its internal structure - it adopts a double spiral ramp design. After entering from the entrance, worshippers will walk along a slowly rising ramp and finally come down another ramp. During the whole process, they will not pass by other visitors at all, forming a unique "no-looking back worship route". This design is quite rare in the world, and one can't help but admire the ingenuity of the craftsmen at that time. As you walk up the ramp, you can see traces of the 33 Guanyin statues that were once enshrined on the walls. Although the statues have been removed, you can still feel the importance of this building as a Buddhist worship hall. In addition, the wooden structure inside the building is intricate yet maintains a solid balance, and every step makes people admire the exquisite traditional Japanese woodworking technology. Historical and cultural background The Aizu Spiral Hall was originally a part of the Shoso-ji Temple. Its design purpose was to allow worshippers to visit the Thirty-three Guanyin smoothly without having to go around the entire mountain area. This building also witnessed the fusion of religious beliefs and architectural craftsmanship in the Edo period, and was transformed into a cultural heritage after the Meiji Restoration, and eventually became an important national cultural property of Japan. Visiting experience Overall, although Aizu Spiral Hall is small in scale, its architectural design and historical value are extremely unique. Walking on this slope that never turns back, you can not only feel the religious piety of the people at that time, but also appreciate the ingenuity and craftsmanship of Japanese craftsmen. If I have the chance to visit Aizu again, I would like to come and see this historic building in different seasons and experience its different looks as the seasons change. For those who like to explore Japan's traditional culture and architectural wonders, this place is definitely worth a visit!

Do you know Aizu Sazaedo, a nationally designated important cultural property? Aizu Sazaedo has been featured in various media, and its structure is very unique. You go up one way, and after reaching the top, you can go down the road. Amazingly, you can't pass each other. This building with its strange structure like a conch shell is a very valuable piece of architecture, so if you're in the area, why not stop by? How to get there: Car or bus (there is free city parking for cars!) #0 Yen Travel Autumn

#Eat and travel in Japan. So much fun. The weather is nice. The people are lovely. I will definitely come back again.

There is a temple in Aizuwakamatsu city, Fukushima, that is shaped like a turban shell. Its name is "Sazaedo" Its official name is "Entsu Sanso-do" A historic spot that has been designated as a nationally designated important cultural property On October 26th and 27th, 2024, the "Japan Heritage Festival" will be held in the Aizu region, where Japanese heritage sites from all over the country will be gathered together, so if you can make it, please go and check it out! 📍Sazaedo Address: 1404, Oaza Hachiman Bentenshita, Ichinomachi, Aizuwakamatsu city, Fukushima prefecture 965-0003 Visiting hours: 8:15-17:30 Admission fee: 400 yen #0 yen trip #domestic trip #great views of Japan

~Fukushima Prefecture~Aizu Sazaedo ☑️A 16.5m high, hexagonal, three-story hall built on Mt. Imori in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture in 1796! ☑️The official name is "Entsu Sanso-do"! ☑️At the time, there was a temple called Shoso-ji on Mt. Imori, and this building was designed by its head priest, So Ikudo! ☑️Unique architecture! The statues of the 33 Kannon Bodhisattvas of the Western Provinces are placed along a double spiral slope, and by visiting this hall, worshippers can visit the 33 Kannon Bodhisattvas, making this a very rational hall! ☑️The uphill and downhill paths are completely separate! The one-way structure allows worshippers to visit safely without passing each other, making this a rare architectural style in the world! ☑️Its unique presence in architectural history was recognized, and it was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1995! ☑️In 1890, a statue of the 19 soldiers of the Byakkotai was placed in the place where the Kannon statue was located inside the hall! The Sazaedo Hall is a place where you can enjoy Fukushima's history and architecture! Useful for Fukushima sightseeing and travel! 📍Sazaedo 155 Yawata Takizawa, Ichinomachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture 965-0003 #0 yen travel #Fukushima sightseeing #Fukushima travel #Fukushima #Sazaedo #Historic sites that give a sense of history #Travel to experience history and culture #Places that give a sense of history #japantemple

This time we will introduce the Aizu Sazaedo in Fukushima Prefecture. The Aizu Sazaedo is a 16.5m-tall hexagonal three-story hall built in 1796 on Iimoriyama in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. It is the only wooden building in the world with a double helix structure, and is a rare structure, so it was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 1996, and the unique spiral staircase is a must-see😊 Inside, the statues of the 33 Kannon Bodhisattvas of the Western Provinces are enshrined along the double helix slope, and it was said that by visiting this hall, you can make a pilgrimage to all 33 Kannon Bodhisattvas. It is famous as a rare building in the world that can be seen without passing the same place on the way up and down✨ Aizu Sazaedo (Entsu Sanso-do) 📍155 Yawata Takizawa, Ichinomachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture🚃 Get off at "Imoriyamashita" stop on Haikara-san/Akabee, 5 minutes walk🚗About 15 minutes from Aizuwakamatsu IC on the Ban'etsu Expressway💰Adults 400 yen, high school students 300 yen, elementary and junior high school students 200 yen#Fukushima #Aizuwakamatsu #Sazaedo #Weekend outing #Photogenic spot #Important cultural property #Fukushima tourism #Fukushima trip #Domestic trip

#cherryblossom2024 During my spring vacation in Aizu Wakamatsu, I had the pleasure of visiting the serene Sazae Temple, and it was a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life! 🌸⛩️ Tucked away amidst lush greenery, the Sazae Temple is a hidden gem known for its stunning architecture and peaceful atmosphere. The entrance fee was quite reasonable, allowing me to explore the temple grounds at my leisure. As I entered through the majestic torii gate, I was greeted by the soothing sound of rustling leaves and the gentle trickle of a nearby stream. Wandering through the temple grounds, I was captivated by the beauty of the traditional Japanese architecture, with its intricate wooden carvings and graceful sloping roofs. The main hall, adorned with colorful banners and flickering lanterns, exuded an aura of tranquility and reverence. One of the highlights of my visit was the temple's expansive garden, which was in full bloom with cherry blossoms during my visit. Strolling along the winding paths lined with cherry trees in bloom, I felt as though I had stepped into a scene from a painting, surrounded by delicate pink petals and the sweet fragrance of spring. After exploring the temple grounds, I took some time to visit nearby attractions. The nearby Aizu Bukeyashiki, or Samurai District, offered a fascinating glimpse into the lives of samurai warriors and their families, with well-preserved residences and gardens to explore. Additionally, the nearby Tsuruga Castle, with its impressive architecture and panoramic views of the city, was a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Overall, my visit to the Sazae Temple was a rejuvenating experience that allowed me to reconnect with nature and find inner peace amidst the beauty of Japan's countryside. It was a reminder of the timeless appeal of traditional Japanese culture and the importance of taking time to appreciate life's simple pleasures. #SazaeTemple #AizuWakamatsu #JapaneseCulture #CherryBlossoms #TravelExperience ⛩️🌸🇯🇵

You can get there from Aizuwakamatsu Station by buses called Haikara-san and Akabee. It is a unique wooden spiral hall. It is a nationally designated important cultural property. You have to climb a spiral slope inside, so we recommend shoes that are easy to walk in and have no heels, such as sneakers. It is said that if you climb up here, you can visit the Thirty-Three Kannon. The inside is covered with countless ofuda? (paper charms) pasted on the walls and ceiling, which is a very mysterious sight. It is one of the must-see tourist spots in Aizuwakamatsu. #Sakura2024 #Fukushima #Aizuwakamatsu #Sazaedo

#AccommodationReview Aizu Sazaedo is a historic building in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture, designated as a national treasure of Japan. Built in the early Edo period, the building has made a valuable contribution to Japanese architectural art and historical culture. Aizu Sazaedo is a wooden Buddhist temple, and is particularly distinctive for the shape of a sea bream on its roof. This shape of a sea bream has an auspicious meaning, as the fish grows larger with each passing lifespan. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful architecture and historical value of Aizu Sazaedo, as well as experience traditional Japanese architectural culture.

I've picked out 7 recommended spots in Fukushima that I'm glad I visited! ①Aizu Sazaedo ②Aquamarine Fukushima ③Tsuruga Castle ④Nanukamachi Street ⑤Iwaki Corridor Museum ⑥Miharu Takizakura ⑦Iwaki Marine Tower If you're going to Fukushima, be sure to visit them 🤗 #RecommendedList #Fukushima