Zuihōden Temple — Attraction in Sendai

Zuihoden was originally built in 1637 but due to war and other reasons, the current worship and memorial shrine was rebuilt in 1979 and repaired in 2001. It is the building complex of the burial chamber of Date Masamune, feudal lord and founder of modern Sendai city, and his heirs.

The building complex is rich colorful splendid in design and elegantly painted, while outside roads to the Zuihoden are surrounded by tall trees and quasi forest.

It seems that Zuihoden is more attractive, especially for foreign visitors, for area outside the worship hall, such as forest-style roads which have stylish beauty. On the contrary, the worship hall and grave inside is rather contemporary rebuilt with historical importance and meaning perhaps for local residents, but it may be a stranger historical anecdote which is less attractive for foreign visitors or even out-of-town Japanese visitors for remote association of the local lord. This reflection and comment are based on observation that fewer visitors took photos in front of Zuihoden worship hall and nearby building, while most visitors did have photo taking at forest-style roads.

Compared to other tour attractions in Sendai, Zuihoden probably has the best bilingual explanation postings at its site, and it does help foreign visitors for viewing.

The entrance ticket for Zuihoden is $570 Yen, although it can be reduced to $460 Yen for Sendai Loople...

A short, steep walk from a stop on the Loople tourist bus, you'll find Zuihoden, the mausoleum for the samurai family belonging to Date Masamune, the founder of Sendai.

The surrounding area is flush with a lovely old forest featuring trees older than some first-world countries. If you're a fan of architecture, the buildings within the main area will probably be more interesting and display colorfully painted intricate carvings prominently. For just 550 yen for adults, 400 yen for students (high school or younger) you can tour the grounds at your own pace and explore the small museum. Most of the artifacts inside relate very limited English, but still can be enjoyed easily as many of them are beautiful beyond easy description.

If you're planning a trip, go early as the PLACE is only open from 9AM to 4:30PM from February to November, closing half an hour earlier the other two months of the year. Also, wear good walking shoes. The up-hill jaunt is a bit of a workout if you're not used to climbing...

Zuihoden (瑞鳳殿, Zuihōden) is the mausoleum of Date Masamune, one of the most powerful feudal lords of the Edo Period (1603-1868). Masamune was the first in a long line of Date lords to rule over Sendai from Aoba Castle. His son and grandson, Date Tadamune and Date Tsunamune, are entombed in nearby mausoleums, while other descendants are laid to rest in less elaborate graves and tombs.

Zuihoden was designed in the ornate style of the Momoyama Period. It features intricate woodwork and a rich variety of vivid colors. Masamune's son and grandson are entombed in smaller mausoleums designed in the same style.

Massive cedar trees surround the paths in the area and are meant to symbolize the long history of the Date clan. A museum beside the Zuihoden main building shows some of the personal artifacts of the Date family and even some specimens of their...