historic site

Jionji temple gate

[Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture] Famous for Taiga dramas? What is “Mr. Oe” and Sagae City? I visited Jionji Temple in Nagosha.

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  • Last updated: 2023.09.25

Sagae City is said to have been ruled and developed by the Oe clan, one of the key figures in the historical drama "The 13 Lords of the Kamakura." We would like to introduce you to Jionji Temple, a famous ancient temple located in Sagae City

In addition, we will also introduce roadside stations and day-trip hot spring facilities that we recommend for a one-day stroll, so we hope you will read to the end

So let's get started with the introduction

What is Jionji Temple?

Jionji Temple

Jionji Temple in Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture is officially called "Honzan Jionji Temple."An ancient temple boasting the largest number of cultural assets in the Tohoku regionis.

Among themThe twelve Divine Generals statues, designated as Important Cultural Properties by the national government and enshrined in the Yakushido Hall as if they were protecting Yakushi Nyorai, are full of dynamism and have sharp eyes that overwhelm the viewerTo do.

It is also known as one of the three famous temples of Dewa"Yamadera Risshakuji Temple," "Wakamatsuji Temple," and "Jionji Temple"Each one is"Cutting off bad relationships" "Fulfilling good relationships and forming good relationships" "Rejuvenation"It is said to have the following benefits

*Last year, major renovations to the thatched roof of the main hall (for the first time in 70 years) began, and unfortunately the main hall is currently not open to the public. (It is scheduled to be reopened in November 2024.)

A brief history of Jionji Temple

Three-story pagoda at Jionji Temple

In 746 (Tenpyo 18), by imperial command of Emperor Shomu,Brahmin priestThe temple was founded in 1945, and this year marks the 1,300th anniversary of its founding

Main attractions of Jionji Temple

●Main Hall (Mirokudo) [National Important Cultural Property]

Construction began in 1616 during the reign of Mogami Iechika, lord of Yamagata Castle, and was completed in 1618

Three-story pagoda [Yamagata Prefecture designated cultural property]

It was built in 1610, but was destroyed by fire in 1823. The current structure was rebuilt in 1830

●Sanmon Gate (Niomon Gate) [Yamagata Prefecture designated cultural property]

On either side are enshrined the Misshaku Kongo and Naraen Kongo. The second floor serves as a dressing room, and a stage is set up facing the main hall, where Jionji Bugaku dance and music is performed on May 5th

Source: https://yamagatakanko.com/attractions/detail_731.html

INFORMATION

  • Name: Jionji Temple
  • Address: 31 Jionji, Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture
  • Business hours: 8:30-16:00
  • Closed: Open all year round
  • Price: Individuals/Adults ¥700, Groups (15 or more) Adults ¥600
  • *Excluding special exhibition periods
  • Access: 25 minutes on foot from JR Uzen Takamatsu Station, 15 minutes by car from Sagae IC
  • Parking: Yes
  • Annual Events at Head Temple Jionji Temple:
    Day in January / Shussetsu-e (
    first Sunday in February) /
    -e) on May 4th / Ranjo-e (Ranjo-e)
    on May 5th / Painting of the Complete Sutras and Jionji Bugaku (dance music)
    on the third Sunday in May / Kobo Daishi Mikage-ko (offering the image of Kobo Daishi) on the second Sunday in
    September / Saito-goma (fire-goma ceremony) at the end of November /
    Tendai Daishi lecture (lecture)
    on New Year's Eve in December / Ringing the bells on New Year's Eve
  • For inquiries, please contact Jionji Temple
  • Phone number: 0237-87-3993

GOOGLE MAP

The Oe clan and Sagae city

There are many temples still standing in Sagae City, but Sagae Hachiman Shrine is said to have enshrined a branch of the spirit of Kamakura's Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine due to its connection with the Oe clan.

The Oe clan was a family that ruled over what is now Sagae City and Nishimurayama County in Yamagata Prefecture from the Kamakura to the Sengoku periodIt was

First healedOe Hiromoto served Minamoto no Yoritomo, who founded the Kamakura Shogunate, and helped solidify the foundations of the ShogunateHe is also known as one of the 13 samurai depicted in the historical drama "The 13 Lords of Kamakura."

Hiromoto held an important position in the shogunate in the early Kamakura period, and his words and actions determined the direction of the shogunate, so he is regarded as a person who contributed to laying the foundations of the Kamakura shogunate

Their descendants ruled and developed Sagae for approximately 400 years

Source : https://www.city.sagae.yamagata.jp/

Sagae City's representative roadside station

Sagae City is one of the top producers in Yamagata Prefecture, which is famous for its cherries, and boasts the largest number of tourist cherry orchards in Japan

"Cherry Land Sagae" Roadside Station in "Japan's No. 1 Cherry Village"In addition to souvenirs, the station is popular as a spacious and relaxing place to relax, with many events held on the banks of the Mogami River behind the facility

The site also houses the Turkish Pavilion, which was built in honour of Giresun, a sister city of the city of Giresun in the Republic of Turkey.
*Please note that the pavilion is currently closed. Please check before visiting.

INFORMATION

  • Name: Roadside Station Sagae Cherry Land
  • Address: 919-8 Yakugawahara, Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0237-86-1818
  • URL: http://www.cherryland.co.jp/

GOOGLE MAP

There is also a day-trip hot spring facility nearby where you can enjoy three types of hot springs

There is also a hot spring facility nearby called "Sagae Hanasaka Onsen Yu-Cherry."

There are three baths for men and women, "beauty bath," "health bath," and "warm bath," all of which are 100% natural spring water with different qualities, making this a day-trip hot spring facilityIt becomes.

You can refresh your body and mind while bathing in the open-air bath, with the Zao mountain range in the distance and the Mogami River right in front of you. There is also a sauna

The facility is well-equipped with a shop, restaurant, and rest room (fees apply), so you can relax after your bath

INFORMATION

  • Name: Sagae Hanasaka Onsen Yu-Cherry
  • Address: 15 Kubo, Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture
  • Phone number: 023-783-1414
  • URL: http://www.yu-cherry.com/

GOOGLE MAP

summary

Sagae City, known as Japan's number one cherry village, is not only famous for its cherries, but also for its many historic temples, including the famous Jionji Temple, making it an irresistible city for history buffs

Sagae City has developed surrounded by the Mogami River and the Sagae River, so it might be a good idea to spend a day enjoying local specialties at a roadside station and relaxing in a day spa!

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