Ryuzensen Temple

Overview

Ryuzensen Temple is a Tendai Buddhist temple located in Toride City, Ibaraki Prefecture. It offers visitors a chance to appreciate historical structures and tranquil surroundings, most notably the nationally designated Important Cultural Property, the Sanbutsudo hall. While the founding date is unknown, the temple existed by the Muromachi period and flourished during the Edo period, receiving a shuinjo (official document granting land) from Tokugawa Ieyasu. The temple grounds include the Sanbutsudo hall, main hall (hondo), kuri (priest's residence), bell tower, and mountain gate—all historically significant structures. The Sanbutsudo hall, built in 1569, is a thatched-roof building housing three Buddha statues: Shaka Nyorai, Amida Nyorai, and Miroku Bosatsu. Its unique architectural design, known as sanpo-shokai (three-sided veranda), is a precious example of medieval architectural style. Legend says a human-faced fish once inhabited a pond on the temple grounds, now known as the Jinmengyo Pond. Nestled in a quiet residential area, sitting within the temple grounds allows you to immerse yourself in the serenity, observe the surrounding trees, and imagine the Heian period landscape when the temple was first built. It's a wonderful place for a relaxing visit. Ryuzensen Temple offers a peaceful space surrounded by history and nature—a highly recommended sightseeing spot. If you're cycling, you can take a route passing through Miyanomori Fureai Park, along the Tone River embankment, and on to Daikasan Chozenji Temple and the former Toride-juku Honjin (main inn) for a historically rich experience.