Sasano Kannondo, Buddhist temple in Yonezawa, Japan

Sasano Kannondo is a Shingon-shu Buzan-ha temple in Yonezawa, formally named Chomeizan Kotokuin Sasano-dera. The current hall, rebuilt in 1843 after an 1833 fire, has a large thatched roof and carvings of dragons and phoenixes by Goto Fujikichi and Masakichi of the Shonai region. The main image is a Senju Kannon, and the temple is also known as Ajisai-dera for its hydrangeas.

According to tradition, Sakanoue no Tamuramaro founded a Kannon hall and a Haguro Gongen shrine on Mount Naderayama; in 810 the hall was moved to its present site. When the Uesugi clan controlled Haguro Mountain, Naoe Kanetsugu had a Haguro deity divided and installed here as the rear deity. A fire destroyed the hall in 1833, and the current thatched-roof building was rebuilt in 1843 with more than 7,100 workers.

The main image is a thousand-armed Kannon, and the temple is the 19th stop on the Okitama 33 Kannon pilgrimage circuit. It is also called Ajisai-dera for its hydrangeas. In the Senbutsu Jizo-do hall stand a thousand small Jizo figures made of Sagara dolls, and 104 haiku by local poets hang in frames inside the hall.

From JR Yonezawa Station take the Yamako bus bound for Shirabu Onsen; get off at Sasano Daimon-mae after about 15 minutes, then walk about 10 minutes to the hall. The approach path leads to the temple grounds on foot.

The temple's hall, rebuilt in 1843 after a fire in 1833, has a large thatched roof and carvings of dragons and phoenixes by the Shonai sculptors Goto Tokichi and Masakichi. The hall is a prefectural tangible cultural property, and the temple itself holds national important cultural property status.