Sep 17, 2014 - 1 min read

Kaenzan Senshoji Temple, Fukui

Unexpected jewel found in the neighborhood!

By Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

Beautiful wooden architecture, and a guardian dog carving

Wow! I was mesmerized by this beautiful gate!

Closer look at the intricate carvings and wooden structure

Wonderful guardian dogs!

Ah! I kept looking up at the gate at least for half an hour here; notice the unique wooden tiles in the ceiling

Stone lantern, tall trees and my favorite gate in the backdrop

The inside of his mouth and ears are painted red

Beautiful curvy line of the temple roof

Small Japanese garden and temple buildings

Belfry in the trees

Roof tiles of the main temple building

Looking up at the impressive main gate of the temple

The building on the right was reconstructed in 1838 and is designated as a cultural property of Fukui city

Front view of 'Mikage-do hall', a cultural property of Fukui city

Peeping into the main temple building through my favorite gate

Signage of Kaenzan Senshoji Temple hanging on the temple gate

On my way back home from a visit to two temples, which included my first close encounter with Fukui's Big Buddha Statue, I glimpsed a classic-looking beautiful temple roof. I was already tired, but as though an ant drawn to sugar, I couldn't resist the temptation and visited the new temple I saw. It turned out the temple is called, Kaenzan Senshoji, which is the head temple of Shinshu-Sanmonto-ha; one of the many sects of Pure Land Buddhism. It was founded in 1290, but at one time or another most of the buildings were either burnt down or destroyed by calamities, and except for the main hall, which was reconstructed in 1838, the buildings here are relatively new. Although they are not the original buildings, I fell in love with them, especially with the beautiful main gate!

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Takako Sakamoto

By Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

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Takako Sakamoto

Takako Sakamoto Photographer 10 years ago

Hi Cathy! Yes, they are unique, I didn't expect to find something like this in my neighborhood!

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Cathy Cawood

Cathy Cawood 10 years ago

Those wooden ceiling tiles are unusual! I've never seen anything like that before!

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