海向寺

This Buddhist temple in Sakata features traditional Japanese architecture with a main hall, meditation areas, and a distinctive gate that marks the entrance to the sacred grounds. The compound includes various buildings arranged around courtyards that visitors can explore.

The temple was established in a region that has served as an important spiritual center for centuries. Its development connects to the Dewa Sanzan area, where three sacred mountains shaped Buddhist religious practices across northern Japan.

The temple serves as a gathering place for local spiritual practices and traditional Buddhist ceremonies throughout the year. Visitors observe people engaging in prayer and meditation within its spaces, which reflect deep-rooted religious customs.

Visitors should remove their shoes before entering the main buildings and keep silence during prayer times. The grounds are easy to walk through, with clear pathways leading to different areas of the compound.

The grounds feature a water purification pavilion where visitors perform traditional cleansing rituals before approaching the main altar. This centuries-old practice remains an essential part of the temple visit experience.