飯盛山とさざえ堂の概要About
Overlooking the city of Aizu-Wakamatsu, Iimoriyama is a small hill about 130 meters high. Since ancient times, it has been regarded as a sacred mountain associated with legends of Benzaiten, the Four Generals of Ancient Japan, and Yamato Takeru.
During the Boshin War (1868–1869), a civil conflict between the new Meiji government and forces loyal to the Tokugawa shogunate, Aizu became one of the fiercest battlegrounds. Many people may know Iimoriyama for the tragic story of the Byakkotai (White Tiger Corps), a group of teenage samurai who fought to defend their domain. From this hill, they saw fires blazing in the city and mistakenly believed that Tsurugajo Castle had fallen, leading them to take their own lives.
Midway up Iimoriyama stands the Sazaedo Temple, a hexagonal, three-story Buddhist hall built in 1796 (Kansei 8). Its official name is Entsū Sansō-dō, and it reaches a height of 16.5 meters. Inside, a double-spiral corridor allows visitors to ascend and descend along completely separate, one-way paths.
Along the ascending corridor are statues of the 33 Kannon of the Saigoku pilgrimage, and it is said that visiting them once provides the same spiritual benefits as completing the full pilgrimage. This unique architectural design, which allows many worshippers to move through safely without crossing paths, is extremely rare worldwide. The Sazaedo Temple was highly regarded for this distinctive structure and was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1996.
飯盛山とさざえ堂の見どころ
Byakkotai was a reserve unit comprised of approximately 305 young men. In the fall of 1868, with Tsuruga Castle under siege and under attack, 20 men who had been separated from the unit during the Battle of Tonoguchihara reached Iimoriyama.
Looking down from the summit at the castle town, where flames and smoke rose, they mistakenly believed Tsuruga Castle had fallen. In despair, the men committed mass suicide by seppuku (hara-kiri) for honor. Ultimately, 19 men died. At Iimoriyama, we can see the same view the Byakkotai young men once enjoyed. Visit the “Grave of the 19 Byakkotai Soldiers,” where the 19 men are buried, and learn about war relics and the history of Aizu at the Byakkotai Memorial Museum and the Byakkotai Ethnological History Museum.
Aizu Sazaedo Temple is characterized by its hexagonal exterior and double-helix corridor, earning it the nickname “Sazaedo” (turban shell temple) due to its resemblance to a turban shell. Visitors from across Japan and around the world come to enjoy its unique appearance. To reach the top floor, one must ascend the stairs clockwise for one and a half rotations. At the summit, an arched bridge called the Taiko Bridge separates the ascending and descending staircases.
This Aizu Sazaedo was built in 1796 by Ikudo, the head priest of the adjacent Masamune-ji Temple at the time. How Ikudo designed it remains shrouded in mystery. Legends say he “dreamed of twisting two sheets of paper together,” and it’s also said he was influenced by Western knowledge.
Get on the sightseeing bus “Haikara-san Akabee” from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station and get off at “Iimoriyama-shita”. First, climb the mountain path towards the summit. We recommend following the designated pilgrimage route. A moving walkway (slope conveyor) is installed, making it easier for those less confident in their legs to move around. (Available for 250 yen for adults, 150 yen for elementary school students) Please note, however, that using the slope conveyor means you will not follow the path of the pilgrimage route.
After a short distance, you’ll arrive at Aizu Sazaedo. Experience the unique architectural beauty of this double helix as you walk around its interior. Its unique double helix design, with the ascending and descending staircases never intersecting, makes it a popular spot for photography. It’s a strange feeling, even though there are many tourists, yet you never pass anyone. The ceiling is also adorned with many talismans from past visitors, giving a sense of its history.
Continuing up, near the peak, you’ll find the graves of the 19 Byakkotai soldiers. Nearby, you’ll find several stone monuments donated by countries such as Rome and Germany in honor of the Byakkotai soldiers. Going down a few stairs from there, you’ll find the “Site of the Byakkotai Suicide.”
From the observation deck atop Mount Iimori, you can take in a panoramic view of Aizu-Wakamatsu city. On clear days, you can see as far as Mount Bandai and the Tadami area. In spring, the 300-year-old Edohigan cherry tree “Tayū-zakura” blooms (best viewed mid- to late April), while autumn brings beautiful scenery with the mountainside dyed in autumn colors. The Iimoriyama Observation Plaza is freely open 24 hours a day, making it a hidden gem where you can enjoy the city nightscape and the lights around the station at night.
Additionally, the observation deck houses the Iimori Branch Store, the oldest shop on Mount Iimori, which combines a retail space with a dining area.You’ll find perfect souvenirs here, including Aizu yubeshi rice cakes, local Aizu sake, Akabeko cows and Byakkotai goods, and daruma dolls.
At the base of Mt. Iimori, you’ll also find shops and rest areas. At the Iimoriyama Tourist Center “Igarashi,” you can savor famous Aizu soba noodles or sauce katsu don. Afterward, why not extend your visit to Tsurugajo Castle, which you saw earlier from the summit? Access is excellent, with the castle just about a 10-minute drive from the mountain base.
さらに、飯盛山参道の記念に御朱印をいただくこともできます！
Basic Information
Opening Hours/Closed Days:
・Iimoriyama: Free to explore (free admission)
・Aizu Turtle Hall: April-November: 8:15 AM – sunset, December-March: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Open daily)
Prices:
Iimoriyama: Free for worship and strolling.
Aizu Sazaedo: ¥400 for adults, ¥300 for high school students, ¥200 for elementary and middle school students.
Reservations: Not required (please inquire for group reservations).
Aizu Sazaedo Temple Official Website：https://sazaedo.jp/
Parking:
・Iimoriyama: Municipal parking available (next to the Iimoriyama Tourist Information Center)
・Aizu Sazaedo Temple: No dedicated parking (use nearby stores and municipal parking)
Other: In winter, check road conditions and slope conveyor operation in advance.
Access Mt. Iimori
Address: Bentenka, Hachiman, Ikki-machi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
By Train: From JR Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, take the sightseeing loop bus and get off at “Iimoriyama-shita”. It’s about a 5-minute walk
By Car: Approximately 30 minutes from Aizu-Wakamatsu IC on the Ban-Etsu Expressway
Access Sazae-do
Address: 155 Takizawa, Hachiman, Ikki-machi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
By Train: From JR Aizu-Wakamatsu Station (Banetsu West Line), take the sightseeing loop bus and get off at “Iimoriyama-shita”. About 5 minutes on foot
By Car: Approximately 30 minutes from Aizu-Wakamatsu IC on the Ban-Etsu Expressway
