Sazaedo
Aizuwakamatsu
The same idea as Leonardo da Vinci!? A rare double helix structure
A double helix staircase on which the people going up and the people going down never pass by each other. While not as well known as the famous Château de Chambord, the French castle designed by Leonardo da Vinci, "Sazaedo" is an extremely rare temple featuring the same double helix structure staircase design. It was completed in 1796 and is around 16 meters tall. Visitors ascending the slope in a circular direction and reaching the top storey are considered to have completed the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage to 33 Buddhist temples. It is now a nationally designated Important Cultural Property.
Humorous silhouette named after the food "Sazae (turban shells)"
The official name of Sazaedo is "Old Shoshuji Entsu Sansodo". The nickname of "Sazaedo" comes from the temple's resemblance to Sazae (turban shells). The interior staircase is more of a slope than stairs, and visitors can take in a great view overlooking the city of Aizuwakamatsu from the top floor. You can even see Tsurugajo (Aizuwakamatsu Castle) in the distance. The seasoned wooden architecture may seem scary to ascend, but those who have climbed Sazaedo know that it's worthwhile. Climbing Sazaedo is also said to bring good fortune, so give it a try!
After descending, have a stroll around the historic Mount Iimori.
Mount Iimori upon which Sazaedo is built is an important historical place for the people of Aizu. It is the location where teenage members of the Byakkotai (White Tiger Corps) took their own lives at the end of the Boshin War in 1868. Tombstones and a temple were created on Mount Iimori to worship these young lives devoted to the Aizu clan. It is a sacred atmosphere surrounded by forest. Come and visit this ancient temple.
For reference
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- Address
- 1404 Bentenshita, Ikkimachi Yahata, Aizuwakamatsu-shi, Fukushima-ken
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- Tel
- 0242−22−3163
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- Hours
- Free access for Mount Iimori, Sazaedo: 9:00 am to sunset
Open seven days a week
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- Price
- Sazaedo 400 yen
Access
- Fukushima Airport is a one hour flight from Itami Airport.
- Fukushima Airport is a one hour 20 minute flight from New Chitose Airport.
- From Fukushima Airport, take the limousine bus to Aizuwakamatsu Station (2 hr and 20 min).
- Take the Akabee sightseeing bus from Aizuwakamatsu Station (5 min) and get off at Mount Iimori.
Map
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