What other travelers are saying about Zuihōden (Grave of Date Masamune)
The fact that all of this site is a mausoleum for Date Masamune is astounding. Date Masamune, a powerful samurai and daimyō, who founded the city known as sendai. He was also so important that 20 people committed junshi upon his death to follow him into the afterlife.
Unfortunately, many of the structures was destroyed during the firebombings in WW2, but have later been restored.
Many of the buildings bears amazing color schemes and are filled with beautiful figures and decorations.
The entrance fee was about 570 yen.
There are also goshuin available here and they are nice.
Very much recommend coming here.
Good and light exercise uphill.
Grave of Data Masamune along with more information of the next few generations of his family members. 🪦
Most of the buildings were destroyed during WWII, and these replicas are well preserved and restored post-war. English descriptions are mostly available.
A informative grave of a very noble lord.
The museum was only in Japanese, Chinese and Korean and so I didn't enter as I didn't want to translate everything. However the general atmosphere was relaxing, the grave was impressive and the cost was cheap.
Fair warning, it's on a steep hill, if you have COPD or anything that makes walking uphill a task. Consider wisely! There is a carpark that's free and takes about half the hill away.
Zuihoden was originally built in 1637 but due to war and other reasons, the current worship and memorial shrine was rebuilt in 1979 and repaired in 2001. It is the building complex of the burial chamber of Date Masamune, feudal lord and founder of modern Sendai city, and his heirs.
The building complex is rich colorful splendid in design and elegantly painted, while outside roads to the Zuihoden are surrounded by tall trees and quasi forest.
It seems that Zuihoden is more attractive, especially for foreign visitors, for area outside the worship hall, such as forest-style roads which have stylish beauty. On the contrary, the worship hall and grave inside is rather contemporary rebuilt with historical importance and meaning perhaps for local residents, but it may be a stranger historical anecdote which is less attractive for foreign visitors or even out-of-town Japanese visitors for remote association of the local lord. This reflection and comment are based on observation that fewer visitors took photos in front of Zuihoden worship hall and nearby building, while most visitors did have photo taking at forest-style roads.
Compared to other tour attractions in Sendai, Zuihoden probably has the best bilingual explanation postings at its site, and it does help foreign visitors for viewing.
The entrance ticket for Zuihoden is $570 Yen, although it can be reduced to $460 Yen for Sendai Loople ticket holder.
It was majestic, both at the day and in the night (there was a Tanabata event, so it opened at night. Usually it opens until 4 or 5 pm I think). The buildings were majestic, and the museum, although small, was packed with knowledge. I am especially intrigued with how they could try to make the face of Masamune Date (and some other Date descendants) from his skull only. Anyways, it's a great, tranquil, majestic place to visit.
Date Masamune was one of the most powerful feudal lords (daimyo) in Japanese history who founded Sendai city and ruled the region during the early Edo period. Known as the "One-Eyed Dragon" due to losing sight in his right eye as a child, he was a brilliant military strategist and cultural patron. He died in 1636 at age 70, and Zuihōden was built as his final resting place according to his wishes.
No, the current Zuihōden is a reconstruction. The original mausoleum was destroyed during Allied air raids in 1945 during World War II. It was meticulously rebuilt in 1979 using traditional Momoyama-period construction techniques and materials to recreate the structure's original grandeur. During the reconstruction process, archaeologists excavated and examined Date Masamune's remains, providing valuable historical insights.
Yes, Zuihōden is part of a complex containing three mausoleums. Alongside Date Masamune's main mausoleum are Kansenden, which houses his second son Date Tadamune, and Zennoden, containing his ninth son Date Tsunamune. All three structures feature similar architectural styles, though Masamune's mausoleum is the most elaborate. Visitors can view all three during their visit to the site.
Most visitors spend approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour exploring the entire site. This includes time to climb the stone staircase through the forest, view all three mausoleums, visit the small museum displaying artifacts like Masamune's helmet and armor fragments, and enjoy the peaceful wooded surroundings. If you wish to take photographs or visit during autumn foliage season, you may want to allow additional time.
