Zuiganji
4
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
450 reviews
Excellent
145
Very good
204
Average
89
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10
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2
Hiroaki Kaneko
Tokyo, Japan5,270 contributions
Oct 2022
松島を代表する寺院の一つ。時の権力者による宗派や寺の名前の変遷、大地震等による被災等数々の艱難辛苦を乗り越えながらも、静謐ながら堂々たる仏閣の姿を今に残している。
この寺院だけでなく、周辺の寺院を含め、この地帯の地形の特徴からか、洞窟や岩窟の史跡が多い。これらの史跡には立ち入ることが出来ないが、歴史に残る数々の僧の修業の場、供養場でもあり、往年の寺院の姿に思いを馳せることが出来るだろう。また境内には、伊達政宗公が文禄の役の際に朝鮮から持ち帰り手植えされたとする、紅白の梅『臥龍梅』がある、まだ寒さの残る春先の季節に美しく咲き誇り、ほのかな梅の香りを漂わせる。
本堂・庫裡・宝物館のエリアは有料となっており、これらの建物内は全て撮影禁止となっている。特に本堂内は非常に豪華で美しい屏風の数々を見ることが出来るが、前述の通り撮影禁止であるため、しっかりと目に焼き付けておきたい。本堂・庫裡に入る際は靴の脱着場があり、そこに段差があるるが、そこさえ気を付けていれば車椅子等の障碍を持つ方でも利用しやすい寺院となっている。
It's one of the representative temples of Matsushima. The temple has been through many hardships and tribulations, such as changes in religious sects and names due to those in power at the time, and damage caused by major earthquakes, but it still retains its serene yet imposing appearance.
Not only this temple, but also many other temples in the surrounding area have historic sites of caves and grottoes, probably due to the geographical features of this area. Although it's not possible to enter these historic sites, they are places where many historical monks have been trained and memorial services have been held, and visitors can recall the appearance of the temples of the past. In the precincts of the temple, there is a red and white plum tree called "Garyu-bai" which was brought back from Korea by Lord Date Masamune during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592 and planted by hand.
There is a charge for the main hall, the kori (storehouse), and the museum of treasures, and photography is prohibited in all of these buildings. In the main hall, in particular, you can see many gorgeous and beautiful folding screens, but as mentioned above, photography is prohibited, so you should make sure to take a good look at them. There are steps to remove your shoes when entering the main hall and the kori, but as long as you are careful with these steps, the temple is accessible to people with disabilities such as wheelchairs.
この寺院だけでなく、周辺の寺院を含め、この地帯の地形の特徴からか、洞窟や岩窟の史跡が多い。これらの史跡には立ち入ることが出来ないが、歴史に残る数々の僧の修業の場、供養場でもあり、往年の寺院の姿に思いを馳せることが出来るだろう。また境内には、伊達政宗公が文禄の役の際に朝鮮から持ち帰り手植えされたとする、紅白の梅『臥龍梅』がある、まだ寒さの残る春先の季節に美しく咲き誇り、ほのかな梅の香りを漂わせる。
本堂・庫裡・宝物館のエリアは有料となっており、これらの建物内は全て撮影禁止となっている。特に本堂内は非常に豪華で美しい屏風の数々を見ることが出来るが、前述の通り撮影禁止であるため、しっかりと目に焼き付けておきたい。本堂・庫裡に入る際は靴の脱着場があり、そこに段差があるるが、そこさえ気を付けていれば車椅子等の障碍を持つ方でも利用しやすい寺院となっている。
It's one of the representative temples of Matsushima. The temple has been through many hardships and tribulations, such as changes in religious sects and names due to those in power at the time, and damage caused by major earthquakes, but it still retains its serene yet imposing appearance.
Not only this temple, but also many other temples in the surrounding area have historic sites of caves and grottoes, probably due to the geographical features of this area. Although it's not possible to enter these historic sites, they are places where many historical monks have been trained and memorial services have been held, and visitors can recall the appearance of the temples of the past. In the precincts of the temple, there is a red and white plum tree called "Garyu-bai" which was brought back from Korea by Lord Date Masamune during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592 and planted by hand.
There is a charge for the main hall, the kori (storehouse), and the museum of treasures, and photography is prohibited in all of these buildings. In the main hall, in particular, you can see many gorgeous and beautiful folding screens, but as mentioned above, photography is prohibited, so you should make sure to take a good look at them. There are steps to remove your shoes when entering the main hall and the kori, but as long as you are careful with these steps, the temple is accessible to people with disabilities such as wheelchairs.
Written November 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StanleyAuckland
Auckland, New Zealand2,214 contributions
Zuiganji was first built in 828 and rebuilt in 1609 by Date Masamune.
The Main Hall is beautiful inside. Taking photos is not allowed so please resist the temptation to sneak one as the camera flash will damage the colours (true).
You will be able to buy postcards which show the interior of the building. Outside the main temple but still part of it are the Meditation Caves. They are built into a cliff face and almost seem like a lost world, due to the small trees, ferns and moss growing around and on them.
Close to Zuiganji is Entsuin garden which I rate as No. 2 attraction in Matsushima.
The Main Hall is beautiful inside. Taking photos is not allowed so please resist the temptation to sneak one as the camera flash will damage the colours (true).
You will be able to buy postcards which show the interior of the building. Outside the main temple but still part of it are the Meditation Caves. They are built into a cliff face and almost seem like a lost world, due to the small trees, ferns and moss growing around and on them.
Close to Zuiganji is Entsuin garden which I rate as No. 2 attraction in Matsushima.
Written January 5, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
david_in_oregon
Portland, OR65 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
This was pretty fascinating. You get to see 6 inch thick tatami mats, details on the construction on the rather excellent root and a whole bunch of other stuff. If you want to see the bones of a clan leader's pad, come here.
Written June 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C W B
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA167 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
Visited April 29 2019 with a group from a cruise ship. Very neat grounds with many beautiful plants. Some were blooming which added to the beauty. You must take your shoes off and carry them while touring the temple. No photos allowed. Most original objects are in the museum. I enjoyed the museum. There are stairs in the museum.
Written May 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gershon666
Honolulu, HI94 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Zuiganji temple is a major Zen Buddhist temple in Japan that was established in 828 AD. At that time Matsushima Bay was considered close to paradise. The temple has some magnificent rooms, such as the Peacock room and the High Room. It's worth a visit to get a feel for what living in Japan was like for the samurai warrior. A statue of Date Masamune in armor is quite impressive. I could imagine him gazing at me and ordering that I be decapitated. When Masamune died 20 samurai committed suicide so they could be buried with him.
Written April 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gracia83
Jakarta, Indonesia43 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
Zuiganji is the family temple of the Date family who used to rule most of northern Japan.
The facade of the temple is understated, but the inside is a beauty. Visitors are allowed to walk around the main hall and peruse the magnificent painted sliding doors and the various rooms. Signage in English, minimal but enough to give an overall idea, provides explanation for the usage of the various rooms. Somehow this temple reminds me of Nijo castle in Kyoto, it's so unlike other temples I've visited.
Visitors have to take off their shoes before entering the main hall and photographs are not allowed.
Aside from the main hall, the temple's kitchen and a small museum with a life-sized statue of Date Masamune, among other artifacts, are also opened to the public.
The temple ground has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
The facade of the temple is understated, but the inside is a beauty. Visitors are allowed to walk around the main hall and peruse the magnificent painted sliding doors and the various rooms. Signage in English, minimal but enough to give an overall idea, provides explanation for the usage of the various rooms. Somehow this temple reminds me of Nijo castle in Kyoto, it's so unlike other temples I've visited.
Visitors have to take off their shoes before entering the main hall and photographs are not allowed.
Aside from the main hall, the temple's kitchen and a small museum with a life-sized statue of Date Masamune, among other artifacts, are also opened to the public.
The temple ground has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
Written December 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarkKwok
Vancouver136 contributions
Aug 2019
What makes this temple different from others is the caves to the right of the approach to the main hall. Apparently the caves were carved by the ocean. 2/3 of the way down on the approach is a sign indicating the spot where the 2011 tsunami hit. It was a long way from the pier and left one imagining the scale of the tsunami.
The main hall has a number of rooms including one for exclusive use of the emperor but remained unused for 267 years until Emperor Meiji spent a night in 1876.
The main hall has a number of rooms including one for exclusive use of the emperor but remained unused for 267 years until Emperor Meiji spent a night in 1876.
Written September 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle M
Sendai, Japan141 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Now is the perfect time to visit. The 400 plus years old plum trees that frame the gate are in bloom. The entire area has been reformed, cleaned and is very well staffed. There are explanations in English and, for the most part you are left to explore by yourself. Cost is reasonable at ¥700, but you need cash to use the machines.
Written April 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mid60sCouple
Honolulu, HI69 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
The 400 year old temple is outstanding. The exterior landscape and gardens are serene and beautiful while the temple is remarkably well preserved. It is the best site to see in Matsushima and well worth the 40 minute train ride from Sendai.
Written April 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hfot2 🌸🍁🌸
Vermont7,579 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
In April of 2016 we returned to Matsushima after many years.
Our visit to Zuiganji confirmed what we had read: the temple was undergoing renovation and covered in scaffolding and tarps. Although the temple was open to visitors the exterior was under wraps.
We were saddened to see that so many of the tall stately cedar trees, which once lined both sides of the entrance path, had been cut down. We were even sadder to learn that the trees had been damaged by the salt water resulting from the tsunami. The promenade under the canopy made a grand entrance to the temple when we visited previously.
We took the path along the right side which gives you an opportunity to see up close the caves and statues that line this walkway. The overhanging trees and mossy rocks made for a mysterious atmosphere. Take your time walking along this path, there is much to discover.
The temple is a short walk from the train station or the pier.
Our visit to Zuiganji confirmed what we had read: the temple was undergoing renovation and covered in scaffolding and tarps. Although the temple was open to visitors the exterior was under wraps.
We were saddened to see that so many of the tall stately cedar trees, which once lined both sides of the entrance path, had been cut down. We were even sadder to learn that the trees had been damaged by the salt water resulting from the tsunami. The promenade under the canopy made a grand entrance to the temple when we visited previously.
We took the path along the right side which gives you an opportunity to see up close the caves and statues that line this walkway. The overhanging trees and mossy rocks made for a mysterious atmosphere. Take your time walking along this path, there is much to discover.
The temple is a short walk from the train station or the pier.
Written March 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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