地藏院

Jizoin is a Buddhist temple in Mashiko featuring a main hall with sacred statuary, traditional gates, and carefully arranged gardens. The grounds follow the layout of a rural Japanese temple with distinct areas for worship and peaceful spaces.

The temple originated in the late medieval period and retains its original architectural character from that era. Its construction methods reflect the building traditions of rural Buddhist temples from centuries past.

The temple serves as a gathering place for locals during religious festivals and seasonal observances tied to the Buddhist calendar. People participate in ceremonies that connect them to their community and to cycles of the year.

Visitors can reach the temple by local bus from Mashiko station, followed by a short walk through the pottery quarter. The route is straightforward and passes through areas where local potters work at their studios.

The temple bells ring during morning and evening ceremonies, their sound carrying across the Mashiko valley to the ceramic workshops nearby. These sounds create an acoustic connection between the spiritual center and the artisan spaces around it.