Saifuku-ji Temple — Attraction in Uonuma

We wanted to see the Kaisando created by Ishikawa Uncho, but The main hall also has several points of interest, and the wood inlays depicting leaves and other motifs applied by Uncho during repairs draw visitors back to their childhood. An elderly couple, who appeared to be well past sixty, searched for driftwood with eyes like children's. I expect Uncho is also happy in heaven too.

Photography is prohibited inside Kaisando. So, please refer to the temple's website. But honestly, that website doesn't convey its overwhelming power. Both my wife and I were so stunned by its sheer power and intricate craftsmanship that we were not only speechless for a while, but couldn't even breathe or move.

After viewing the Kaisando, we looked out into the courtyard. And discovered that the outside of the Kaisando was also decorated with sculptures. Photography is prohibited inside Kaisando, but you can get close to take pictures outside. Since it's not painted, it lacks vibrancy, but the increased sense of depth actually makes it feel more imposing.

The expressions of the men, especially the monk in the background, are particularly vivid. The woman below seems somehow alluring, while the old man above appears drunk and in high spirits. As a characteristic of Uncho's style, he places supporting characters who seem to tease the protagonist beside or behind them, creating a unique sense of space.

If you ever have the chance to come to this area, I highly recommend to visit...

I was glad we visited and the ceiling carvings were truly beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like them; it felt like the dragon was jumping out at me. There is a 10 minute description of what all the different scenes are, but it’s only in Japanese. I believe they had a QR code to scan for English guidance as well, but we didn’t use it. It doesn’t take long to go through this place, I think 20-30 minutes is plenty. And it seems most easily accessible by car. Entrance fee is 500 yen and goshuin are also 500 yen.

There are no pictures allowed, which I completely understand, but I do wish that there was at least a postcard or something else available besides the 2000 yen book and a DVD. It would have been nice to have something more affordable and small for people who want to remember their visit by. The closest thing is that the goshuin price includes a small clear file with some of the ceiling carvings on the back, which was...

Stunning. The main temple and gardens on their own would be worth a visit, but the carvings on the ceiling of the Kaisando annex are simply breathtaking. Amazing details and colors. You climb some steps to a raised floor so they seem really close. The annex is a tiny wooden framed building with a thatched roof and the whole thing is protected from the elements by...