Aizu Sazaedo (Entsu Sanpodo)

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Aizu Sazaedo is a 16.5 meter high, three-storied, hexagonal Buddhist pagoda built in 1796 on Mount Iimori in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture. Officially named Entsu Sanpodo (meaning "the temple of three turns around"), it was constructed by Ikudo, a priest of Shosoji temple. The structure is commonly known as "Sazae-do" because its unique shape resembles a turban shell (sazae in Japanese).

As one of the oldest wooden structures of its kind, Aizu Sazaedo has been designated an Important Cultural Property. It remains the only known temple in Japan with this distinctive double-helix architectural design, comparable only to the staircase at Château de Chambord in France, which is attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. The ingenious construction ensures that visitors ascending the spiral pathway will never encounter those descending, creating a unique one-way pilgrimage experience.

Historically, the temple housed the Saigoku Thirty-Three Kannon Statues along its spiral slope, allowing pilgrims to complete a spiritual journey by walking the double-helix path. Built using traditional Japanese woodwork techniques, the structure creaks audibly as visitors make their spiraling journey, adding to the atmospheric experience. The temple stands as a testament to the architectural innovation and religious devotion of the Edo period.

Visitors experience the temple by walking up the inner spiral ramp, which winds through the three floors before descending via a separate pathway. From the outside, the pagoda-like structure appears conventional, but the interior reveals its remarkable double-spiral stairway system that gives the temple its sea-snail shell appearance. The journey through the temple takes approximately 15-20 minutes and offers views of the surrounding Aizuwakamatsu area from various levels.

Admission costs ¥400 for adults, ¥300 for high school and university students, and ¥200 for elementary and junior high school students. The temple can be reached by taking a local bus from Aizuwakamatsu to Iimoriyamashita stop, followed by a 5-minute walk. Parking and restroom facilities are available on-site. The temple is located at the midway point of Iimori Hill, historically significant as the site where the Byakkotai samurai corps committed ritual suicide during the Boshin War.

What other travelers are saying about Aizu Sazaedo (Entsu Sanpodo)

Sazae Temple is a quiet and very unique temple in the Aizu area, and well worth a short visit if you are interested in history and architecture. The wooden hall was built in 1796 and features a rare double helix structure inside, with a spiral staircase that takes you up and around in a continuous loop. Walking through it feels unlike any other temple experience. The interior walls and ceilings are covered with name tags and wooden plaques left by pilgrims over the centuries. This gives the whole space a very personal and spiritual feeling, as if it is filled with stories, prayers, and memories from generations past. It is simple, but deeply atmospheric. The temple is surrounded by tall trees and close to a river, which adds to the sense of peace and seclusion. It is not a large or crowded site, which makes it a nice contrast to busier tourist spots. A very calming place to pause, reflect, and appreciate a different side of Japanese temple culture.

daddydrives

Nov 22, 2025

Sazae is turban shell in English. The building looks like it. We visited here as we heard the building has a very special style. It was fairly crowded. The entrance fee is 400 yen. It's worthwhile to go in to it. There's no steps but a gradual slope to the top. There are a dome covered with mysterious stickers. It's worth to visit.

It was quite different from other temples. Because people walk up one way, and one-way down, no crossing each other when walking on the staircase. There are quite a lot of school kids during werkdays. Be prepared to wait for a big group of students. There are no stamps to collect at this temple.

Date of enjoyment: 11/4/25 There’s a charge to go enter the temple but well worth it, the architecture and design is simply breath taking. This is an all wooden structure every step has a squeak in the wooden structure and the helix spiral separates the direction of heading so that people going up will not see the people heading down. The centre beam is also exposed and showing the amazing engineering that when wood is well used can withhold so much weight. Allow a good 45mins here as there is a souvenir shop to explore as well.

Not a large structure, but really unique design and worth the visit. Entry cost Y400, and you can go up one side of the double-helix, cross over the center, and come down the other side.

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What other travelers are saying about Aizu Sazaedo (Entsu Sanpodo)