Sado Kokubun-ji

Sado Kokubun-ji is a Buddhist temple complex on the island of Sado featuring a main hall, a gate with guardian statues, and a bell tower. The grounds contain multiple buildings arranged across the site, revealing the scale and layout of this ancient religious center.

The temple was established around 741 and ranks among Japan's earliest structures with tiled roofs. Archaeological work uncovered foundation stones of various buildings that once stood on the site.

The temple houses a wooden Yakushinyorai statue from the early Heian period, measuring 1.36 meters and carved from a single block of wood.

The site is located about 35 minutes by car from the nearest port and provides parking for visitors. A vehicle is recommended to explore the island and tour the grounds at your own pace.

Archaeological digs revealed traces of a seven-story pagoda that once occupied the temple grounds. These ruins give visitors a sense of how much larger and more elaborate the complex was in its early years.

Location: Sado

Inception: 8 century

Address: 新潟県佐渡市国分寺113

GPS coordinates: 37.96706,138.36867

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:24