Kitayama Jūhakken-do, Historic leper colony in Nara, Japan.
The Kitayama Jūhakken-do complex includes multiple buildings designed for the isolation and treatment of individuals affected by leprosy during medieval times.
Founded in 1243 by Buddhist monk Ninshō, this medical facility served as one of Japan's primary care centers for people diagnosed with Hansen's disease.
The site exemplifies medieval Japanese healthcare practices, where religious institutions took responsibility for managing and treating communicable diseases.
Visitors can access the historical site through guided tours that explain the medical practices and social conditions of medieval Japanese healthcare facilities.
The facility maintained strict separation protocols, where even individuals who tested negative for leprosy lived under identical restrictions as infected patients.
Location: Nara
Inception: 1243
Founders: Ninshō
GPS coordinates: 34.69656,135.83528
Latest update: May 12, 2025 07:08
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