Jul 28, 2014 - 1 min read

Dainenji Temple Site, Sendai

Strolling around the lost temple on a hill

By Yuri Sasano

Community writer

280 stone steps leading to the original site of Dainenji temple

Climbing up hundreds of steps, was quite good exercise for me. I had a little break at a park on the top of the hill.

The grave yard of the Date clan is gated and not open for public, but I could see their grave stones through its iron gate. Tsunamura’s tomb stone is huge and tall, accompanying by lined stone lanterns on both sides.

Lined mossy stone lanterns in Tsunamura's graveyard

Another mausoleum of the Date clan and a wooden gate with the clan's crest

Take-ni-Suzume (sparrows with bamboo leaves), the Date clan's crest

There is a botanical garden next to the park, Sendai Yasou-en. It is open 9:00 to 16:45 (March 20th to November 30th).

The garden with gentle slopes is pleasant for walking

Enjoy the sweet fragrance of Trumpet Lilies, fully blooming in July

The garden delights my eyes and senses with its various kinds of wildflowers and greenery of the season

A roughly 500 year old Japanese cedar tree in the park

Ryosokusan Dainenji temple was founded in 1695 by Date Tsunamura, the fourth lord of the Date clan.

During the Edo period, the temple was thriving as one of the major Ming style Zen temples in Japan. Around 16.5 hectares of the Dainenji mountain area was home to the main temple and seven main halls. Twenty affiliated temples were built and more than two hundred monks were practicing Zen in Dainenji. Tsunamura died in 1719 and was buried in the temple’s yard. From then, most of the Date clan have been buried at this site.

Unfortunately, Dainenji was demolished after the Meiji Restoration. New buildings were constructed on the temple grounds in 1928. Now, just the old temple’s main gate and stone steps can be seen.

Was this article helpful?

Help us improve the site

Give Feedback

By Yuri Sasano

Community writer

Following Follow

Justin Velgus 9 years ago

I was surprised to see local athletes running up and down the stairs on my visit today! This was a fun visit even if there is not so much to look at. It must have been amazing when it was first built!!

1 comment in total