Fukushima Prefecture’s only National Treasure: Shiramizu Amidado
The only building in Fukushima Prefecture designated as a National Treasure is Shiramizu Amida-dō (Ganzō-ji Amida-dō). Depending on the season, you can also see lotus flowers and autumn foliage illuminated. Goshuin are available, so we recommend bringing a goshuincho when you visit.
Ganjō-ji Shiramizu Amida Hall
In 1160 (Eiryaku 1), Toku-hime, a daughter of the Ōshū Fujiwara clan, founded “Ganjō-ji” to pray for the repose of her husband, Norimichi. It is said that an Amida Hall was also built in one corner of the precincts. As a structure, it is the only building in Fukushima Prefecture designated a National Treasure, and within the hall are enshrined the Amida Triad (Important Cultural Property) and the Heavenly Kings Jikokuten and Tamonten (Important Cultural Properties). Amid the scarcity of surviving Heian-period architecture, this unparalleled hall also features a Pure Land garden where you can feel the changing of the seasons. Pay your respects to the Buddhas that convey the flow of centuries, and let the richly colored garden scenery be etched in your memory.
≪Seasonal flora of the Pure Land garden≫
Red and white plum blossoms … mid-March ～ late March
Yamazakura (mountain cherry) … early April ～ mid-April
Iris … late May ～ mid-June
Lotus flowers … mid-July ～ mid-August
Hagi (bush clover) flowers … mid-September ～ early October
（ ※Timings vary with climate and temperature and are for reference.）
BASIC INFORMATION
| Name |
白水阿弥陀堂 (シラミズアミダドウ) |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0246-26-7008 |
| Address | 福島県いわき市内郷白水町広畑221 Access |
| Official URL | http://shiramizu-amidado.org/ |
【By road】
About 15 minutes by car from the Iwaki-Yumoto IC on the Joban Expressway.
About 5 minutes by car from Uchigo Station on the Joban Line.
【Local bus】
From the entrances to Iwaki Station and Uchigo Station,
take a Shin Joban Kotsu bus bound for “Kawahira” and get off at the “Amidadō” stop⇒ 5 minutes on foot.
【Parking】
Free ※ Large vehicles also permitted
Because the Amida Hall is surrounded by ponds on the east, west, and south, a worship path has been laid out from the south, which is the front, passing over the central island to reach the hall. Furthermore, the north, east, and west are enclosed by mountains, and the spaces centered on the Amida Hall present the very appearance of a Pure Land-style garden that flourished in the late Heian period. These features reflect the influence of the layouts of Hiraizumi temples such as Motsu-ji and Muryoko-in as adopted by Princess Tokuhime. In fact, the place name “Shiramizu” is said to derive from splitting the character “泉” in “Hiraizumi,” and there is also a theory that “Taira,” the Iwaki clan’s stronghold, likewise takes the character “平” from “Hiraizumi.”
【National Treasure】
◇ Amida Hall
Both the length and the depth are three bays; a single-story hogyo-style structure. The roof is wooden shingles. Designated a National Treasure (building) on March 29, 1952 (Showa 27).
【Important Cultural Property (Nationally Designated)】
◇ Three wooden statues: Amida Nyorai and his two flanking attendants
◇ Two wooden standing statues: Jikokuten (traditionally identified at the temple as Komokuten) ・ Tamonten
【Historic Site (Nationally Designated)】
◇ Shiramizu Amida Hall Precinct
Archaeological excavations revealed that the National Treasure Amida Hall was built on a central island set within a large pond, displaying a typical composition of a Pure Land garden. On September 12, 1966 (Showa 41), a vast area of 243,669 square meters, including surrounding forests, farmland, and residential plots, was designated a national Historic Site.
Amida Hall is a square, three-bay, single-story hogyo-style structure with a wooden shingle roof. Faint traces of murals remain inside. Enshrined within are five Buddhist images: a statue of Amida Nyorai; the flanking attendant statues of Kannon Bosatsu and Seishi Bosatsu; and two Heavenly Kings (Jikokuten and Tamonten). In the Tohoku region, only three Heian-period buildings survive: Chuson-ji’s Konjikido in Hiraizumi, Iwate; the Amida Hall of Takakuraji in Kakuda, Miyagi; and the Shiramizu Amida Hall, making this hall extremely valuable historically.
Phone：0246-26-7008