Henjō-in

Henjō-in is a Buddhist temple in Odate featuring multiple structures that showcase traditional Japanese temple design and layout. The grounds are dotted with ancient plum trees whose pale pink blossoms appear each spring.

Founded in 1570 during a period of Buddhist growth across Japan, the temple was strategically located along the Iga-goe Road, an important travel route of that era. This positioning connected it to the wider networks of Buddhist practice and pilgrimage.

The temple is home to monks of the Koyasan Shingon sect who maintain daily religious practices and rituals at the site. You can observe how Buddhism shapes the rhythm and purpose of this space today.

You can reach the temple using local transportation options and explore the grounds via pathways that wind through the site between buildings. The pace here is slow and unhurried, making it easy to take your time walking and observing the space.

The plum trees on the grounds are several hundred years old and produce flowers in a distinctive reddish tone that stands apart from the softer hues of other flowering trees. This unusual coloring makes the temple grounds remarkably striking during blooming season.