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Remarkable double-helix temple in Aizu Wakamatsu
Aizu Wakamatsu City is replete with heritage buildings that you can explore, and I recommend this must-see temple structure. The double-helix temple was built in the 18th century in a spiral that winds in two directions. It is meant to provide pilgrims a means to experience without interruption from other worshippers. This rare wooden version is unique. Each beam and post is quirky, creating a double corkscrew that resembles a sazae, or turbin shell. It's not a big place and the Kannon statues in the temple are replicas of the 33 Bando Kannon statues representing the pilgrimage route. Still, it's worth a gander for its unique architecture and antique miniature of a hallowed path.
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on Jun 10
Sazaedo Temple
The Sazaedo Temple was one of my must go places for a long time. The temple area is on a mountain with hundreds of stairs. Alternatively, you can also use an escalator for going up the mountain. The whole temple area offers several interesting buildings, but the most interesting is the three-story wooden pagoda. The hexagonal building was build in 1796 and is around 16.5 meters high. The building looks very unusual from the outside, but you will be very surprised how it looks from the inside. A spiral, ramp-like staircase leads all the way up and goes back down on the other side. There are no rooms or floors, just small bays in the middle of the pagoda. Since you can only walk in one direction, you don't even run into others. Inside you can also discover 33 Buddhist statues that are laid out on several altars. Much more impressive, however, are all the stickers of pilgrims everywhere on the walls and ceilings. To visit the pagoda from the inside you have to pay 400 yen entry and get a bookmark for it at the same time.
TonetoEdo
on Dec 8