Daizen Shrine

Daizen Shrine sits in the rural countryside of Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, with origins that may date back to the 9th century. The shrine holds a tragic historical connection to a political incident from the 1330s. Suketomo Hino, an exiled court noble, was executed on Sado, and when his son came to the island seeking revenge, Daizenbo, an ascetic hermit, helped him escape and was consequently executed. The shrine was established to enshrine both figures together and calm Daizenbo's vengeful spirit. The main building honors Miketsuokami, the god of food and bountiful harvests.

The shrine's primary attraction is its historic Noh stage, recognized as the oldest existing Noh stage on Sado Island. Reconstructed in 1846, the stage features a distinctive thatched and hipped roof and has been designated a Niigata Prefecture Tangible Folk Cultural Asset. What makes this stage particularly unique is its backdrop, which includes not only the traditional pine tree painting found on all Noh stages but also a painted sun, making it rare among Japan's Noh venues. The stage is slightly smaller than the standard 5.5 meters square to fit the available space, creating a more intimate performance environment.

Visitors can experience traditional Noh performances at the shrine during annual festivals. Hono Noh performances take place on April 18, while Takigi Noh, atmospheric torchlit performances, occur in June alongside Sagiryu Kyogen traditional comedy shows. The stage remains one of four historic Noh stages in the Kuninaka area where large-scale performances were regularly held, reflecting Sado's exceptional concentration of over 30 surviving Noh stages across the island.

The shrine is located in the Mano Takeda area and can be reached by taking Niigata Kotsu Sado buses to Takedabashi bus stop, which is served by the Minamisen (South Line), Kuninaka Line, and Kanamarusen Line. From the bus stop, the shrine is approximately a 15-minute walk. Visitors traveling to Sado Island typically arrive at Ryotsu Port by ferry from Niigata and can connect to the local bus network from there.