Travel Guide to Zuiganji, Tohoku’s Leading Zen Temple

Zuiganji is one of Tohoku’s leading Zen temples and a family temple closely associated with Date Masamune.
It’s said to have originated as Enpukuji, a Tendai Buddhist temple founded in the early 800s by Jikaku Daishi Ennin, who also oversaw Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei.
Today’s Zuiganji was completed in 1609 by Date Masamune after five years of construction.
Its official name is Matsushima Seiryuzan Zuigan Enpuku Zenji.
After the Battle of Sekigahara, Date Masamune actively built shrines and temples alongside the construction of Sendai Castle, creating places of spiritual support for his people. Zuiganji was built as part of that effort.
It’s also said that he decided to restore the temple following strong encouragement from the Zen monk Kosai Soitsu.
Kosai Soitsu was Date Masamune’s tutor and can be considered a benefactor who had advised him since childhood.
The Main Hall and Kuri, filled with Date Masamune’s devotion, have survived for 400 years without ever being damaged by fire and still stand today.

The Treasure Hall (Seiryuden) opened at its current location in 1974.
Later, in 1995, a new building was constructed to expand the former treasure hall’s scale.
The Treasure Hall (Seiryuden) is located across from the Kuri.
It displays valuable materials connected to Zuiganji and the Date clan, including Buddhist statues, Nirvana paintings, letters, sliding-door paintings from the Main Hall, portraits of successive Date-domain lords, tea bowls, ink calligraphy, and excavated artifacts.
The collection is said to number Approx. 30,000 items.
While rotating treasures on display, it also hosts special exhibitions.
With paid admission to Zuiganji, you can enter the Treasure Hall (Seiryuden) free of charge.

The Main Hall is built in the shoin-zukuri style, a samurai residence style centered around a study room (shoin).
It measures 38 m across the front, 24.2 m in depth, and 17.3 m in ridge height.
This large building consists of 10 rooms, including the Buddha Room and the Rakan Room.
In the Buddha Room, it enshrines a standing statue of Shokan’non Bosatsu (Holy Avalokiteshvara) as the principal image, along with Date Masamune’s mortuary tablet.
Each room has a theme based on its purpose, with paintings and carvings for decoration, and each ceiling is built differently.
Because it’s a precious structure that preserves the characteristics of brilliant Momoyama architecture and art, it was designated a National Treasure in 1953.

The Kuri serves as the kitchen for a Zen Buddhist temple.
On top of its large irimoya-style roof is a smoke vent used to release smoke needed for cooking.
The existing Kuri is believed to have been built when Date Masamune revived the temple.
Because the Kuri is a practical building, it’s rare to see examples with decorative features.
However, Zuiganji’s Kuri features Momoyama-style arabesque carvings beneath the chidori-hafu gable at the front.
This, too, shows Date Masamune’s refined aesthetic sense.
With its distinctive architecture and high cultural value, it’s designated as a National Treasure and is also counted among “Japan’s Three Great Kuri.”

Godaido Hall is a Buddhist hall built on a small island a short distance from Zuiganji.
In 807, Seii Taishogun Sakanoue no Tamuramaro built Bishamondo Hall when he visited during a campaign in Tohoku.
In 828, Jikaku Daishi Ennin enshrined statues of the Five Wisdom Kings, and it came to be called Godaido Hall.
The Godaido Hall that stands today was rebuilt by Date Masamune in 1604.
It’s considered the oldest Momoyama-style architecture in the Tohoku region and is also designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
Around the eaves of Godaido Hall, carvings of the 12 zodiac animals are arranged according to the compass directions, so by walking one full circle, you can view them all.

After passing through Zuiganji’s front gate, visitors proceed to the Cave Ruins.
Looking at the cave walls, you’ll find Buddhist statues placed in stone monuments and stone figures, showing that it was a place used for burial and memorial services.
This group of caves is said to have been carved during the Edo period, and the oldest memorial tower is for Sato Yoshinobu, a retainer believed to have committed junshi upon Date Masamune’s death in 1636.
Those memorialized also include people from outside Sendai.
This can be seen as proof that it was widely recognized as a sacred site.

Entsuin was built in 1647 as the family temple of Date Mitsumune, Date Masamune’s grandson.
Entsuin is known as a famous spot for fall colors, with the best time to visit from late October to mid-November.
In particular, its garden—centered on the Shinji Pond, created Approx. 350 years ago, and Mt. Fudaraku, said to be where Kannon Bosatsu resides—is among the most beautiful in Tohoku. It’s also illuminated at night, creating an even more magical atmosphere.
Visitors also enjoy the experience of making an original Buddhist rosary using natural stones and glass beads.

This museum introduces the life of Lord Date Masamune, the first domain lord, through 25 scenes using around 200 life-size wax figures.
In addition, excavations at Zuihoden—Masamune’s mausoleum, which was destroyed in the Sendai air raid of 1945—uncovered human remains.
Based on those findings, you can experience a reconstructed face of Masamune and a voice recreated by computer.
The “Armor Dressing Experience” (advance reservation required, additional fee required), where you can actually wear Masamune’s armor “Kuro-urushi Go-mai Do Gusoku,” made by craftsmen who produce armor for TV dramas and movies, is also popular.

A tourist market located near the Matsushima coast along National Route 45. It’s operated by a company based in Kesennuma that owns large tuna fishing vessels.
In addition to its prized tuna, it sells over 1,500 types of seafood, including oysters, hoya (sea squirts), Kinkasan mackerel, and Kesennuma saury.
The first floor of the main building is a fresh seafood shopping area, always lively with tourists as well as many shoppers coming from Sendai City.

A charming, well-regarded ryokan with panoramic views of the scenic beauty created by Approx. 260 islands.
From its calm guest rooms and open-air baths, you can relax while taking in majestic Matsushima, counted among Japan’s Three Scenic Views.
The “Taiko Tensenen Matsushima Onsen,” which wells up from ancient strata deep within the earth, is known for its gentle, smooth feel on the skin.

A resort hotel on a hill with sweeping views of the beautiful sea of Matsushima, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views.
Many rooms face the bay, letting you enjoy Matsushima’s scenery—sunrise, sunset, and the dreamy view wrapped in mist—without leaving your room.
Room types include Japanese-style rooms, Western-style rooms, and Japanese-Western rooms, accommodating everyone from families and couples to group travelers.

A hot spring resort overlooking Matsushima, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views.
It offers an all-inclusive plan that lets you use the restaurant, cafe, spa, and the on-site “Fujita Kyohei Glass Museum” for free, so you can relax without worrying about extra charges beyond your lodging rates.