• placement: superzone
  • path: destinations/pois/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-642839088663
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "points-of-interest/sazae-do/485864",
  "destination": "Northern-Honshū-(Tōhoku)",
  "title": "northern-honshu-tohoku",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Northern-Honshū-(Tōhoku)",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "country": "Japan",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Sazae-dō

Halfway up Iimori-yama, Sazae-dō is a weird and wonderful hidden gem in a Buddhist temple complex. Built in 1796 the 16.5m-high hexagonal wooden structure houses 33 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Once inside you follow a fabulous, spiral, Escher-esque staircase that allows you to journey up and back down again without retracing your steps.

Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.

  • placement: superzone
  • path: destinations/pois/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-164686662145
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "points-of-interest/sazae-do/485864",
  "destination": "Northern-Honshū-(Tōhoku)",
  "title": "northern-honshu-tohoku",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Northern-Honshū-(Tōhoku)",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "country": "Japan",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Must-see attractions

Explore all
  • placement: superzone
  • path: destinations/pois/superzone
  • containerId: gpt-ad-679821858528
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "points-of-interest/sazae-do/485864",
  "destination": "Northern-Honshū-(Tōhoku)",
  "title": "northern-honshu-tohoku",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Northern-Honshū-(Tōhoku)",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "country": "Japan",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}