Temples and shrines in Sendai

Sendai's Sacred Sites

Sendai's religious landscape is defined by the legacy of the Date clan and the city's historical role as a regional capital. This collection features architectural landmarks like the Momoyama-style Osaki Hachiman Shrine and the 100-meter Sendai Daikannon statue. The list includes the Kitayama Gozan, a group of five Zen temples established to protect the city’s northern flank, alongside coastal shrines like Namiwake Jinja, which marks historical tsunami boundaries. These sites offer insights into Japanese spiritual traditions ranging from the Obaku Zen sect to the veneration of the Seven Lucky Gods.

Sendai's Sacred Sites — Map

ジダネ / Public domain

A

Osaki Hachiman Shrine

Ōsaki Hachimangū is a Shinto shrine in Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.

広瀬川 / Public domain

B

Jogi Nyorai Saihoji Temple

A Buddhist temple complex in the mountains of Aoba-ku, featuring a five-story pagoda. It is a popular site for prayer and is famous for the thick fried tofu served in the surrounding village.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

C

瑞鳳寺

A Rinzai Zen temple founded by Date Tadamune on Kyogamine Hill. It houses a Shaka triad statue originally from Hiraizumi's Motsu-ji Temple.

Bachstelze / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Namiwake Jinja

A Shinto shrine in Wakabayashi-ku known for marking the point where floodwaters from historic tsunamis, including the 869 Jogan earthquake, stopped.

Kernel / CC-BY-SA-3.0

E

大年寺

An Obaku Zen temple that serves as the family mortuary for several generations of the Date clan lords. It is noted for its long stone staircase and forest setting.

ChiefHira / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Aoso Jinja

The head shrine of all Aoso and Sanko shrines in Japan. It was historically known as Aoso Iwato Sanko-gu.

運動会プロテインパワー / CC BY-SA 4.0

G

仏眼寺

A Nichiren Shoshu temple in Wakabayashi-ku with a congregation historically rooted in Edo-period merchant and samurai families.

運動会プロテインパワー / CC BY-SA 4.0

H

福聚院

A Soto Zen temple enshrining Hotei, one of the Sendai Seven Lucky Gods. The temple is located in the Taihaku-ku district.

Kinori / Public domain

I

真福寺

A Ji-shu Buddhist temple located on the banks of the Hirose River. It was moved from Iwadeyama to Sendai under the patronage of the Date clan.

運動会プロテインパワー / CC BY-SA 4.0

J

昌伝庵

A Soto Zen temple located in the historic Aramachi district of Sendai.

運動会プロテインパワー / CC BY-SA 4.0

K

阿弥陀寺

A Buddhist temple of the Ji-shu sect situated in the Shintera temple district.

運動会プロテインパワー / CC BY-SA 4.0

L

法運寺

A Nichiren Buddhist temple in the Renbo area, affiliated with the Ohno Honen-ji lineage.

contri / CC BY-SA 2.0

M

Sendai Daikannon Statue

Sendai Daikannon, officially known as the Sendai Tendou Byakue Daikannon, is a large statue located in Sendai, Japan.

Breakover / Public domain

N

Aoba Shrine

Aoba Shrine is the memorial shrine of Date Masamune, located in Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, near the site of the former Aoba…

O

愛子大仏

A large Buddha statue located at Bukkokuji Temple in the Ayashi area of Aoba-ku.

Naokijp / CC BY-SA 4.0

P

Sendai Tōshōgū

Sendai Tōshōgū is the memorial shrine of Tokugawa Ieyasu in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

Shirokumarin / CC BY-SA 3.0

Q

仙岳院

A Tendai Buddhist temple founded by Date Tadamune. It historically served as the administrative head for the Sendai Toshogu Shrine.

KimonBerlin / CC BY-SA 2.0

R

輪王寺

A Soto Zen temple famous for its large Japanese stroll garden, which features a pond, a three-story pagoda, and seasonal flowers.

Mizu basyo / CC BY-SA 4.0

S

東昌寺

A Rinzai Zen temple belonging to the Tofuku-ji school. It is one of the Kitayama Gozan, the five Zen temples protecting northern Sendai.

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